How can you help your kitten live a long and healthy life? Although you can’t predict the health of your cat with certainty, you can increase the probability of both her general health and a long life through proper care that begins as soon as you bring her home. Your veterinarian can advise further on these five key considerations for taking care of your kitten.
How to Care for Your Kitten
1. Feed a High-quality Diet
Feed your kitten high-quality food designed to meet nutritional needs during specific stages of her life. Your kitten’s nutritional requirements will depend on her life stage and lifestyle. No matter the life stage, cats are carnivores and require nutrients from animal protein and fat for optimal health.
2. Encourage Exercise
Prevent obesity with prudent portion control and frequent play activities. Exercise relieves stress, reduces aggression and keeps cats alert. Just 15 to 30 minutes of play a day can help keep your cat in shape and strengthen the bond between the two of you. In addition, getting your kitten used to playtime early on will help you get used to playing with your cat routinely.
3. Provide Safe, Clean Living Conditions
Keep your kitten inside to help reduce the risk of illness or injury from accidents, fights and disease. As your kitten gets older, you can help avoid the stress of harassment from other animals by keeping your kitten inside. You should make your home safe by protecting your cat from environmental dangers, such as household cleaners and secondhand smoke. Cats frequently groom themselves with their tongues, and over time, even small amounts of harmful chemicals can have adverse effects.
4. Schedule Regular Medical and Dental Checkups
Groom your kitten early and often to get her used to brushing. When brushing, check for bumps or abnormalities, and promptly seek veterinary advice if you discover anything suspicious. Take your cat to the veterinarian at least annually for a complete physical exam, and follow your veterinarian’s advice regarding preventive health care measures.
Your veterinarian may also recommend periodic professional cleaning of your cat’s teeth, which may preserve years of her life.
5. Give Them Lots of Affection
Last but not least, give your cat lots of love! Despite some cats’ aloof demeanor, all cats thrive on affection. Both you and your cat will reap the benefits of spending quality time together.
Cat Aging Chart
It was once thought that one year in the life of a cat was equivalent to seven years of a human life. Below is a revised way of looking at how a cat year stacks up to a human year.
| Cat Age |
Human Age |
| 6 months |
10 years |
| 8 months |
13 years |
| 10 months |
14 years |
| 1 year |
15 years |
| 18 months |
20 years |
| 2 years |
24 years |
| 3 years |
28 years |
| 4 years |
32 years |
| 5 years |
36 years |
| 6 years |
40 years |
| 7 years |
44 years |
| 8 years |
48 years |
| 9 years |
52 years |
| 10 years |
56 years |
| 11 years |
60 years |
| 12 years |
64 years |
| 13 years |
68 years |
| 14 years |
72 years |
| 15 years |
76 years |
| 16 years |
80 years |
| 17 years |
84 years |
| 18 years |
88 years |
| 19 years |
92 years |
| 20 years |
96 years |
| 21 years |
100 years |
