Before even adopting a feline animal, it is very important to research some care for kittens. Thus, it is possible to prepare for the arrival of the animal, in addition to really knowing if you are ready for it.

After all, watching your kitten grow will be one of the most fun things you'll ever do! Few things are as cute as kittens, but all that cuteness also comes with a lot of responsibility.

Thinking about it, we made a complete guide to help you in those first steps. After all, the first twelve weeks are the most important. This is the time to create solid foundations for your feline's health and behavior.

So, if you're the lucky new mom or dad of a kitten, read on to find out what to expect during this first period, what steps to take, and how to prepare for the kitten.

Taking your kitten to the vet is one of the first things you should do. This visit is important, as it will rule out any health issues for your pet, as well as allow you to ask important questions.

Your vet will do a complete checkup that includes:

Additionally, your veterinarian may recommend that your feline receive vaccinations, such as rabies and the triple (V3), which is for a trio of upper respiratory tract illnesses: feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia.

He may also suggest additional vaccinations, depending on your pup's history and the number of pets in your household. Lastly, ask as many questions as you need!

Knowing which behaviors are normal for a cat this age will help you identify abnormal behaviors if they occur. So, don't hesitate to ask your questions.

Okay, you've already been to the vet and found out the first steps you need to take with the kitten. But what about when you get home? One of the main concerns of new cat parents involves the litter box.

While this behavior is instinctive and most cats pick up on it on their own, some felines need a little help. Then gently place them in a litter box after eating.

Also, always praise when they succeed and ensure successful behavior i.e.:

You will likely receive recommendations from your veterinarian for a complete and balanced diet. There are many dry and canned foods made specifically for the nutritional needs of kittens.

And, because your kitty is growing quickly but still has a small stomach, he'll need frequent, small meals. So create a routine that allows you to eat more often throughout the day.

Also, know that, when offering canned food, one of the precautions you should take with kittens is to discard any leftovers that remain on the plate for more than 20 minutes.

Still, always leave clean, fresh water at his disposal. Finally, do not offer milk. Contrary to popular belief, cow's milk is not nutritious enough for kittens and can cause diarrhea.

Each kitten has its own personality, but most kittens have many behavioral traits in common. First of all, one of the most important care for kittens is to play!

That's because it helps them learn about the world around them and socialize with people and other pets. As such, your kitten will begin to exhibit natural instinctive behaviors when playing.

For example, he might chase and attack toys (or other cats!). When playing, one of the things you'll need to do with kittens is to nurture good behaviors that will last into their adult lives.

Therefore, never encourage your kitten to fight with your hand or other body parts. This will help him understand that biting and scratching is not acceptable behavior.

You can help him satisfy these instincts by introducing safe toys with no loose parts for him to chew, ingest, or choke on. Play with your kitten at least once a day.

This will help him form a strong emotional connection with you. If you have children, monitor this interaction to make sure it's a positive experience for both kitten and child.

After playing, your kitty will likely participate in yet another of her favorite pastimes: sleeping! To help your kitty establish sleep habits, play with her an hour before bed at night.

This is one of the cares for kittens that helps you spend energy to sleep through the night and recharge your batteries after playing so much. Also, watch for changes in behavior.

That is, kittens are naturally active and playful – if your kitten is exhibiting lethargic behaviors and showing no interest in food, see a veterinarian immediately.

Although kittens start licking themselves (their own version of bathing) around 3 to 4 weeks of age, they may not yet have formed this habit.

So introduce regular grooming to get your kitten used to being brushed, combed and having her nails trimmed. Make this process easier and more fun by gradually introducing care tools.

Also, allow your feline to explore them before using them. Let him sniff and play with the comb, and praise him when he lets you brush his coat or trim his nails.

Make these moments as relaxed and fun as possible so your kitty makes positive associations. You can even offer him a treat when he lets you cut his nails.

That way, your kitty will be excited every time he sees you with the nail clipper. The idea is to make this care for kittens a routine just when he's still young, so that it's normal in adult life.

And, if you need help knowing how much monthly a kitten can spend from your budget, check out the content we've prepared below. In it, we answer you how much it costs to keep a pet!