Newbie Guide: Caring for Your American Shorthair Kitten - What You Need to Prepare

Bringing home an American Shorthair kitten is an exciting experience, but it's crucial to be well-prepared. As a new owner, your initial steps focus on ensuring your kitten's health and comfort. First, upon arrival, it's important to check your kitten for any signs of infectious diseases. Also, keep your new kitten warm, as young kittens are particularly vulnerable to temperature changes. When it comes to feeding, if the kitten is with its mother, breastfeeding is ideal. However, if not, you'll need to provide kitten milk replacer, specifically goat's milk formula, to ensure they receive the essential nutrients.

1. American Shorthair kittens are susceptible to developing underlying illnesses when introduced to a new environment. It's highly recommended to have your newly adopted kitten screened for infectious diseases and undergo a fecal examination.

2. Given their young age and weaker immune systems, it's imperative to keep your kitten warm and limit their exposure to the outside world in the early stages.

3. For their diet, initially, maintain the feeding routine of the previous caregiver. As the kitten acclimates, gradually transition to a new food by mixing it with the old food. If the kitten is very young and still with its mother, you need only ensure the mother receives adequate nutrition and that all kittens have access to enough milk. If you're bottle-feeding, goat's milk formula is the ideal choice and should be provided approximately every two hours. Consistency in feeding schedule is vital for a young kitten's well-being.

What Essential Supplies Do You Need for Your Kitten?

Raising a kitten requires patience and a commitment to understanding their needs. Before bringing your kitten home, you should gather essential supplies. This includes high-quality kitten food, a litter box, cat litter, a carrier, a cat cage, scratching posts, and a variety of toys. For their health, keep deworming medication for internal and external parasites on hand, as well as probiotics, high-nutrition supplements, hairball paste, or cat grass. It is often best practice to bring a kitten home after 3 months, this is a good time to bring them home, as they will have completed most of their vaccinations, which will help them be stronger and less likely to get ill. This period will ensure that your American Shorthair kitten will have the best possible start in their new home.Follow us for updates:Pet Training