Playing With Your Kitten

Have you just adopted a kitten? Congratulations! Cats are always cute, but they’re almost ridiculously adorable as babies. On the down side, kittens are basically tiny, meowing bundles of chaos that want to play with, well, everything. Here, a local Springville, UT veterinarian offers some advice on playing with your tiny friend.

Make It Interactive

While your kitten should definitely have toys she can use by herself, it’s also important for her to have things you can use interactively. Playing is more challenging and more fun for little Fluffy if someone is controlling her ‘victim.’ Just put string toys and wand toys away after use, as your feline friend could get tangled up.

Discourage Rough Play

Our feline pals are hunters by nature, and they are born with the instincts of big cats, like lions and tigers. Your little buddy is going to want to practice her hunting skills on anything within paws’ reach … including you. Discourage rough play from the start. It may be cute now, but it can lead to very dangerous and aggressive behavior down the road. Plus, those tiny claws are sharp! If your kitten bites or scratches you, reprimand her in a stern tone of voice. No need to yell or punish her: that may actually scare her. Just use the same phrasing each time. You can also clap your hands or squirt her with water to get the point across. Then, ignore your pint-sized panther for a while.

Petproofing

Never underestimate a kitten’s capacity for mischief. Make your home safe for the little ball of fur by removing or securing anything that could be dangerous. Some of the things to address include strings, ropes, and cords; chemicals and medications; plastic bags and ties; toxic plants; and anything small or sharp. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Record It

Little Fluffy’s adorable toddler stage will be over before you know it. Capture some of these moments in photographs or videos. These may become treasured souvenirs later!

Do It Daily

Playing is both fun and beneficial for your furry pal. Get into the habit of playing with little Fluffy every day. Chances are, it will put a smile on your face as well!

Please contact us, your Springville, UT pet clinic, for your kitten’s veterinary care needs. We love watching kitties grow from tiny balls of fur to happy, healthy adults.