kitten question

[RoSmecher]

i just got a kitten that is around 1 and a 1/2 months old. i have a couple of questions, how do i train it to do its business in the litter box and also how much food should i give it everyday because it seems to be eating like a box a day.

[Tess]

i just got a kitten that is around 1 and a 1/2 months old. i have a couple of questions, how do i train it to do its business in the litter box and also how much food should i give it everyday because it seems to be eating like a box a day.

A kitten that age should already know how to use a litter box. Their mothers teach them that. If you're having trouble that way (messing outside the box) every time it eats or drinks put it in the box. It should get the idea. It's important to keep the litter box very clean, because that's another reason a cat will go outside the box.

You should be feeding it food specially formulated for kittens at that age. Make sure it's Kitten Chow or something similar. Buy a box/bag of dry kitten food and read the weight and portion specs. You will want to stick to the recommended daily portion.

The kitten should always have access to fresh clean water as well. It is not recommended kittens to have milk. You can give it plain yogourt occasionally.

And lastly.........when do we get to see pics? :)

[Dierdra]

Science Diet is a good safe dry kibble - designated for kittens or young cats.

Male cats often get painful blockage in their urinary tracts from eating cheap canned foods. Painful to the owner too, as thieving veterinarian pirates are wont to charge $500 or so to alleviate this ailment.

Avoid the temptation of feeding it liver, although it is (a) cheap and (b) cats love it.
A diet of too much liver will kill it over time - as it is rich in vitamin A, too much of which is toxic.

[Cat person]

Don'e ever buy cheap, no name cat food or so called "cat mince" from the butcher. My cat had a urinary tract blockage when he was about eighteen months old, he nearly died, he was at the vet's for ten days and I had to go and feed him every day because he wouldn't eat for them. It was a terrible time for both of us and I wouldn't want any cat or cat person to go through that especially when it is sometimes preventable.

[RoSmecher]

yeah i don't know my mom got some cat food for her from this person that has a cat food company, so i assume she gave us stuff that is okay for a kitten. but i am still not sure how much food to give it, she pretty much eats like 2 cans a day, and she is kinda getting chubby in the stomach now.

[Tess]

Without knowing the specific cat/kitten food (they all have different amounts to feed) we cant tell you here properly.

For example..Royal Canin gives a chart for their kitten food. Over feeding is not healthy for your kitten and there may be an underlying reason (worms etc) of why it eats so much. In my opinion it should be on a mix of wet and dry food at six weeks of age.

Anyway this particular site gives a chart for their kitten food, and how much. At six weeks of age they must have kitten food only.

http://www.royalcanin.ca/products/fn/growth/kitten_en.php

I'd just go buy some kitten food wet and dry and follow the recommended feedings and not rely on something that you dont know what it is. Sounds strange to me.

It's quite important to start them out eating properly at such a young age, saves lot's of problems down the line.