It is best to start taking care of your kitten's fur, ears, eyes and teeth as soon as possible. This way he can get used to it - and so can you!

The sooner you start with kitten grooming, the better. Try to inspect your kitten's body regularly. This will not only allow him to get used to the grooming ritual, but also to discover any problems early on.

What you need to groom your kitten

Grooming your kitten can be done with a few handy tools:

  • A good brush, appropriate to the coat structure, and for longer coats also a comb.
  • A special pair of nail clippers for cats.
  • Cotton balls and an ear cleaning solution.

What is a hairball?

A cat brushes itself several times a day. During these washes, many hairs come loose. The cat licks these away with its rough tongue. Swallowed hairs end up in the stomach. Small amounts of hair will follow the natural path, but the majority remains in the stomach. When the hairs clump together, a hairball is formed.

Preventing hairballs

Hairballs can start to irritate the stomach, causing the cat to try to vomit them out. They can also lead to constipation. If you brush your cat regularly, you will reduce the chance of the loose hairs being swallowed. Prins has special foods that prevent the formation of hairballs. Extra fibers in the food ensure that swallowed hair can leave the body through the feces.

Coat care

Let your kitten get used to grooming at an early age. Buy a soft cat brush for this purpose. Try to brush your kitten every week. This way you remove the loose hairs and flakes, stimulate the blood circulation and possible wounds, parasites and other abnormalities will come to light more quickly. It will also strengthen the bond between you and your kitten.

Brushing strengthens your mutual bond!

Clipping your kitten's nails

Cats naturally clip their nails on a regular basis. They do this instinctively and you can't unlearn it. To prevent them from scratching your furniture, you can buy a scratching post. Make sure it is long enough that the cat can still scratch when it is fully stretched out. Nails that are too long, especially those of the front legs, can be cut if necessary. For this you’ll need special nail clippers for cats.

Cleaning the ears

Check weekly if there is dirt in your kitten's ears. Use soft cotton balls for cleaning if necessary and an ear cleaning solution especially for cats. Always do this very gently. Do not use cotton swabs in your cat's ears. These can do more harm than good.

Teeth care

A kitten gets its milk teeth when it is about three weeks old. He will keep these teeth until he is about five months old. After that he will get his permanent teeth. The molting process takes about two months. During the molting period, kittens can be a little bit bitey or naggy and eat worse. It is important to monitor the molting process regularly. It may happen that a baby tooth remains stuck too long, causing a new tooth to grow crooked. Hard kibble contributes to healthy and strong teeth.

Help!

The arrival of a kitten means that you will be confronted with a lot of information. Do you have questions of need help? Do not hesitate to contact the Prins CareTeam. They are ready to help you. We also have some more tips on caring for and raising kittens.

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Annerike from the CareTeam

Questions about your pet's behaviour? The CareTeam loves to help you with free advice!