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Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten

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Training Your Kitten for a Lifetime of Good Behaviour: Tips for a Purrfect Companion

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Bringing a new kitten into your home is an exciting time for any pet lover. As your furry little bundle of joy grows and develops, it's important to remember that proper kitten training is essential for its physical and behavioural well-being. In the crucial growing years, a kitten's brain is like a sponge, absorbing information and learning new skills at an incredible speed. With proper guidance and loving touch, you can ensure that your kitten grows into a well-adjusted, happy, and healthy family member. This blog post will share tips to train your kitten and provide them with the best possible start in life.
 

Tips to train your kitten

As a new kitten parent, it's important to understand that kitten training should be a fun and positive experience for you and your furry friend. You can teach your kitten everything from basic commands to good manners with patience, consistency, and a few simple tips. Here are some of our top tips for training your kitten:

 

  1. Teach important commands

    Teaching your kitten to sit is the first step in training. Start by holding a treat in front of their nose and slowly moving it up and over their head. As they look up to follow the treat, their bottom should naturally lower to the ground. As soon as they sit, say 'sit' and give them the treat. Repeat this process several times a day until they understand the command.
     

  2. A place to call their own

    Crate training is an excellent way to provide your kitten with a safe and comfortable space to call their own. Start by placing a soft blanket and a few toys inside the crate. Let your kitten explore the crate on their own and reward them with treats and praise when they go inside. Over time, you can start closing the door for short periods and gradually increase the duration.
     

  3. Exploring the world around them

    Socialization is an important part of kitten training. Start by introducing your kitten to friends, family, and other pets. Take your fur baby on short car rides and expose it to sights, sounds, and smells. The more it is exposed to different people, animals, and environments, the more confident and well-adjusted it will be as an adult.
     

  4. Playtime is important!

    Training your kitten to play with toys is a great way to stimulate it mentally and physically. Start by introducing your purrfect pal to various toys and see what interests it the most. Once it is engaged, you two can indulge in fun games like fetch, chase, and tug of war.
     

  5. Potty training

    Litter training is an essential part of kitten training. Start by placing your kitten in the litter box after meals and naps. When they use the litter box, reward them with treats and praises. Be sure to clean the box regularly and keep it in a quiet, accessible location.
     

  6. Dining etiquette for kittens

    Teaching your kitten proper feeding etiquette is important for its overall health and wellbeing. Start by teaching them to eat from a bowl and not to beg at the table. Be consistent with their feeding schedule and monitor their weight to ensure they receive full nutrition.
     

  7. Make them recognize their name

    Teaching kittens to recognize their name is an important step in training. Start by calling their name and rewarding them with treats and praises when they respond. Be consistent with their name and use them as much as possible.

    Overall, training your kitten is an ongoing process that requires patience and consistency. Remember to use positive and reward-based training methods. And most importantly, have fun! Make sure to give your kitten lots of love, praises, and treats as they learn and grow.

Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten

Frequently asked questions

  1. Are kittens easy to train?
  2. It is possible to train kittens, but it may be more difficult than training older cats. Kittens are playful and easily distracted, which can make training more challenging. Additionally, their developing brains may not fully understand certain commands or behaviours. However, with patience and consistency, kittens can learn basic commands and behaviours such as using a litter box and responding when called. It's important to start training and socializing kittens early to ensure they grow into well-behaved adult cats.

     

  3. What is the best age to train a kitten?
  4. The best age to train a kitten is around 8-12 weeks old. At this age, kittens are more receptive to learning and are less likely to have developed bad habits. It is also important to consult with a veterinarian before starting any training to ensure the kitten is healthy and ready for training.

     

  5. How do you bond with your kitten?
  6. To bond with your kitten, you can spend quality time with it. Indulge in activities like playing, grooming, and cuddling. Establishing a consistent routine and providing it with proper socialization, training, and medical care is also important to have a healthy relationship with your kitty. Consult with your veterinarian for specific recommendations.

     

  7. How do you tell your kitten a 'No'?
  8. To tell your kitten a "no", use a firm, but not harsh tone and gently redirect its behaviour. Consistency and positive reinforcement for good behaviour can also help kittens understand what is and is not acceptable. Consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviourist for additional guidance.

     

  9. How long does it take to train a kitten?
  10. It typically takes several months to train a kitten. Consistency and patience are key as kittens have short attention spans and may not fully understand commands until they are around 6 months old. Working with a veterinarian or professional trainer is important to ensure that proper training techniques are used.

     

  • Kitten Basics: Do Kittens Get Hairballs?
    Kitten Basics: Do Kittens Get Hairballs?
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    Kitten Basics: Do Kittens Get Hairballs?

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    Kittens can get hairballs, although it’s not as common as in adult cats. Kittens are adept learners, and as they grow up, their grooming habits will mature as well. This could lead to hairballs, especially if your kitten has longer hair.

     

    How Do Hairballs Form?

    Most cats spend a considerable amount of time grooming their coats. As they groom, they can swallow hair, which may build up over time in their stomach. If the hairball doesn’t pass from the stomach, the cat will attempt to eliminate it by coughing or gagging.
     

    Many cats will get a hairball at some point in life, but some kittens, such as long-haired breeds and cats that groom excessively, are especially prone to hairballs.

     

    How Can You Help Reduce Your Kitten’s Hairballs?

    You can help reduce the number of hairballs your kitten or cat experiences in a few ways:

     

    Change the Diet

    The right diet can help provide hairball relief to both kittens and cats. For instance, the beet pulp in IAMS™ dry kitten formulas helps move hair through the digestive tract.
     

    For adult cats, IAMS research has shown that cats fed IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Hairball Care pass 80% more hair in their feces than cats fed a leading premium dry cat food. By helping ingested hair to be passed from the digestive tract, IAMS hairball formulas help reduce the opportunities for hairballs to form. This fiber blend also includes a moderately fermentable component to promote intestinal health.

     

    Ensure Skin and Coat Health

    Maintaining skin and coat health may reduce the risks of excessive shedding, ingestion of hair from grooming, and, consequently, hairball formation as your kitten grows into an adult cat. High-quality, animal-based protein and fat, found in IAMS kitten formulas, provide important nutrients for skin and coat health.

     

    Brush Frequently

    In cats and kittens that are prone to hairballs, frequent brushing can help reduce the amount of hair they ingest, thereby reducing the risk of hairball formation.

    Kitten Basics: Do Kittens Get Hairballs?
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