Starting Off On The Right Paw: Your Kitten's First Year

Independent and physically hardy, cats are often regarded as "low maintenance pets." Unfortunately, our feline friends’ reputation for being self sufficient has sometimes caused them to lose one or two of their nine lives, since some owners tend to overlook their pets’ veterinary care.  In reality, it’s never too early to start our cats on a diet and health regimen that will help them attain a healthy and hearty old age. That’s the message of Your Kitten’s First Year, (Woodware Publishing, Plano, TX), a book by Dr. Shawn Messonier.

A well-known veterinarian who has written numerous books and appears often on TV, Dr. Messonnier spoke to us about the value of getting your new kitty off on the right paw in life.

Formative Months
"It’s important to get off to a good start with a kitten, because the first few months are so critical in feline development -- perhaps even more so than in a dog. Except for some muscle and fat growth, a cat will be fully developed in six to eight months, while some of the bigger dogs will take two years or more."

Early Socialization
"You should socialize your kitten early by playing with your pet and providing plenty of stimulating toys. The toys will help the kitten channel the pouncing and chasing instincts in the right direction."

Good Medical Start
"Get your kitten used to going to the vet’s office on a regular basis. So many cat owners never take their pets to a vet, or they take them in only when the animal has been injured or is deathly ill, or needs shots. I’ll tell you something -- shots are important, but rabies are less of a threat to your cat’s life than kidney or liver failure, cancer and heart disease -- and these are all things that we can detect early through regular checkups."

Open Wide
"You should also get your kitten used to dental care procedures, both at-home brushing if you can, and professional cleaning at the vet’s office. You’ve got to do something to take care of your cat’s mouth. Dental disease is the most common infectious disease I see as a vet, and it poses a significant threat to the overall health of a cat."