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Keys to Health: It’s Not Always Easy Being a Kitten

Kittens make their way to us for a number of reasons:

  • Born to feral moms: These little kiddos have it especially tough because they are unprotected from numerous risks that can take their young lives: fleas, ticks and parasites that feed on their blood and cause anemia; and parasites that steal the nutrition from the food the kitten eats and cause vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, all of which leave the kitten much more susceptible to infections and diseases.

  • Surrendered: Someone in the home, maybe a new child, may develop allergies to a newly-adopted kitten. Kittens are hard-wired to practice hunting most of their waking hours, and need to be provided with appropriate outlets for their energy, and some families underestimate the time and attention it takes to housetrain them, and do not appreciate the contributions they make to the home decor.

Thinking of adopting kittens? It can be a lot of fun starting out with a cat from kittenhood, especially when you have children. Consider whether a kitten’s needs are a good match for what your family would enjoy providing.