DM4 Pt1-2 New kitten caregiver Flashcards
Why is it important to give advice to prospective kitten caregivers?
Providing advice before, during, or after the acquisition process can prevent problems like failure to bond, misunderstanding behavior, and house soiling.
What common problems can arise without proper advice to new kitten caregivers?
Issues like failure to bond with pets or owners, illness, inadequate toilet training, and behavioral problems such as wool eating or aggression.
What preventive advice can help breeders of kittens?
Advice on breeding selection (e.g., temperament), nutrition for the queen, proper environment for kitten rearing, and early socialization from 2 weeks.
Why is educating prospective kitten caregivers before acquisition important?
It helps them ask the right questions to breeders and make informed decisions about the best kitten choice.
What are some important questions to ask breeders before getting a kitten?
Questions include: How do you socialize kittens? Are they litter trained? Is there any history of behavioral or inheritable disease problems?
What physical signs indicate a healthy kitten?
Bright eyes, clean ears, shiny coat, clean anus, no pot-belly, alertness, playfulness, and willingness to approach visitors.
Why is it important to visit the breeder and the kittens before deciding?
Visiting helps ensure kittens are raised in a suitable environment and allows caregivers to observe their behavior and health firsthand.
What are key behavioral signs to look for when choosing a kitten?
Look for kittens that are alert, interactive with their environment, playful with littermates, and keen to approach visitors.
What role can veterinary nurses play in educating prospective kitten caregivers?
They can provide advice in consultations or clinics, helping avoid future problems related to behavior, health, and bonding.
Why is early socialization important for kittens?
Early socialization from 2 weeks helps kittens become calm and confident in domestic life, reducing future behavioral issues.
What are the advantages of buying a kitten?
Known background, choice of pedigree or non-pedigree, emotional bonding from the beginning, and potentially easier introduction to existing pets.
What are the disadvantages of buying a kitten?
Expensive time (neutering, vaccinations, microchip), extra care demands (feeding, social needs, training), destructive behavior, inheritable disease, and price.
What extra care demands come with buying a kitten?
Small frequent meals, social needs, training, habituation, and socialization.
What are the potential disadvantages of specific pedigrees?
Inheritable diseases and specific behavioral traits not related to being a kitten.
What advice should be given during the acquisition of a kitten?
Choose a kitten that suits lifestyle/environment, ensure realistic caregiver expectations, address cat-specific needs, and anticipate potential problems.
How can new kitten caregivers set their kitten up for success?
Provide a settling-in period, ensure safety and confidence, and properly introduce the kitten to existing pets.
Why is choosing the right kitten for lifestyle important?
It ensures the kitten’s needs align with the caregiver’s environment, leading to better long-term success and bonding.
What is anticipatory troubleshooting during kitten acquisition?
It’s preparing for potential issues that may arise and having strategies in place to address them, such as introducing the kitten to existing pets.
What should be included in Step 1 of kitten-proofing the home?
Block gaps behind appliances, close toilet lids, screen fireplaces, close external doors and windows, and place harmful substances and electric cables out of reach.
Why should you remove poisonous plants and small objects when kitten-proofing?
To prevent potential harm or ingestion by the curious kitten.
What should you do before bringing a kitten home?
Kitten-proof the home, prepare a single room, purchase essential items, and register with a veterinary practice, ideally a Cat Friendly Clinic.
What essential items are needed for a new kitten?
Food and water bowls, litter tray, kitten food, cat carrier, bed, scratching post, grooming equipment, thermal bedding, and safe toys.
What are the guidelines for placing a kitten’s resources?
Position the litter tray, food bowl, water bowl, and bed at least 2 meters apart from each other in a secure room.
What advice is given for creating house rules for a new kitten?
Set consistent night-time routines, ensure safety, provide positive activities like puzzle feeders, and make the environment predictable for the kitten.
Why should kittens have limited access to very young children?
To ensure gentle handling and prevent overwhelming or scaring the kitten during its adjustment period.
How should you handle a new kitten in the first few days?
Handle the kitten gently and regularly for short periods, spend quiet time on the floor, and allow the kitten to explore and sleep undisturbed.
Why is it important to retain familiar bedding for a kitten when bringing it home?
To provide a sense of familiarity and comfort, reducing stress in the new environment.
How should a kitten be introduced to a new home?
Allow the kitten to explore a secure space with familiar bedding, provide 4-6 small meals daily, avoid disturbing it, and spend quiet time with it in the room.
