Kitten Care Guide

So you have recently become the proud parent of a cute and snuggly kitten….congratulations! Kittens are wonderful pets that require lots of love and of course, the proper kitten care. When it comes to caring for a new kitten most people are concerned about diet, health, and litter boxes. They often forget about one very important thing….pet identification! Even if you plan on having an indoor only cat, it is still important to consider some type of pet identification for your kitty.

Last week, I noticed my neighbor frantically running around the neighborhood yelling her cat’s name. Knowing that her cat was an indoor pet I can only assume that a door was left open and her cat, Crystal, had made a run for freedom. While most cats will return home when they get tired or hungry, many will wander for days, get lost, or be picked up by animal control. Proper pet identification would help to ensure that your cat or kitten is returned to you safe and sound. What type of identification is best? Let’s explore a few options……

The Microchip

Microchips are small (no larger than a grain of rice) preprogrammed computer chips that are injected under the skin. They hold valuable information about your pet that will help to identify him should he ever get lost or picked up by animal control. Most, if not all, veterinary offices and animal welfare services are able to scan animals to see if they have been “chipped.” The microchip is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades. It can’t be lost, altered or removed. Implanting a microchip into your cat will only take a few minutes and the cost is reasonable…$25 to $50.  In my opinion, the microchip is one of the most effective and inexpensive pet identification methods out there. It is definitely one to consider…especially if you plan to allow your feline outside.

Kitty Tip: Microchips can be life-savers! Just remember….if you move to a new home, you must update the information that is stored in your pet’s chip! If the information is not correct… reuniting you and your lost pet could be difficult!

Cat GPS

Yes, you read that correctly….cat GPS. GPS locating systems aren’t just for men who need directions (sorry, that was my attempt at humor)…they are also used to locate kids, dogs and yes, even cats! GPS technology is one of the latest and greatest ways of finding a lost pet. Though not yet perfected for animals there are a few pet GPS systems on the market that work rather well (though I must warn you…they will cost you a pretty penny). So how do they work?  Well, basically, your cat would wear a special collar that is embedded with GPS technology and a sophisticated satellite system would then be able to track his every move. When you want to locate your feline, you simply log on to the internet or have the coordinates of your cat’s location sent to your cell phone. This type of technology is getting better every day….so I think it is worth keeping a paw on. Eventually, the task of locating your cat using a GPS locator will be perfected and the price of the technology will come down. In my opinion, the microchip is probably the better way to go right now….but GPS technology for pets will definitely be the wave of the future.

The Old Fashioned Collar and Identification Tag

Probably the easiest and cheapest way to ensure that your lost cat or kitten is returned to you is to outfit him with a collar and id tag. Before my cat Norman was micro-chipped, he wore a collar and tag.  The problem was that Norman would come home…but his collar rarely did. Simply put, Norman is an escape artist. He can get out of just about any collar that I put on him. When I would take my dogs for a walk, I would often come across Norman’s lost collars through-out the neighborhood. As you can imagine, Norman’s collar habit got quite expensive!  Norman is no longer an outdoor cat and as I mentioned before, has since been micro-chipped…so I no longer shell out money every other week for a new collar.

If you are planning on buying your cat a collar it is very important that it is the type that has a safety latch. Safety latches allow the collar to pop free should your cat get caught on a tree limb or some shrubbery. Collars that do not have safety latches can actually choke your cat to death so be certain that the collar you purchase has this type of protection. Oh, and this may seem like common sense…but NEVER put a dog collar on a cat…especially the choke chain variety! Dog collars are obviously, made for dogs and can be dangerous if worn by a cat!  As for tags…buy durable tags that include all of your cat’s information (name, phone number, address). Choose a tag that is easy to read. If your cat is bothered by dangling tags around his neck, then purchase a collar that can have his information embroidered or sewn into it. You can order tags through your vet or buy them at a local pet supply store.

It really doesn’t matter which pet identification method you choose…as long as you choose one! The chances of finding a lost pet (especially a cat) that does not have a means of identification on him are very slim! Pet identification is very important and is just another way to care for your cat and to ensure his safe return should he stray far from home.

Filed under: General Kitten Information, Kitten Care Products on March 18th, 2009