It is possible for the kitten to react to the stress of moving with either a slight cold/sniffle or with an upset stomach or diarrhea. Don't be alarmed by either one if the symptoms are mild and only last 1 or 2 days. Changes in food can cause intestinal upsets, so try and give the kitten the same food that he/she has been eating for at least a week, and then make changes gradually.
Our kittens have been weaned before they leave our homes, and have probably been eating Triumph, Iams, Wellness, Evolve, Chicken Soup, and MaxCat canned food and Iams (Regular Maintenance or Hairball), Nutro-Max (MaxCat and Natural Choice), Wellness, Enova, and Sensible Choice dry foods. Any of these brands is recommended, and Iams can be purchased in the supermarkets now. We give new owners exact details and a small supply of whatever combination the kitten has been currently eating. Our kittens are used to being fed canned food once or twice a day, and having dry food to nibble on during the day. Again, we give details on our feeding schedules so a new owner can try and keep a similar schedule for the first few days.
One small can (3 oz.) or 1/2 medium can (6 oz.) of cat food is probably the most an Aby or Somali needs for each meal as a growing kitten, but the best judge is by how much is eaten and how much is left. Triumph, Iams, and NutroMax all sell cans in 3 oz. sizes and are high quality foods.
Keep in mind that cats don't necessarily eat the same amount every day, so if a kitten eats less than usual for a day or two, don't worry as long as he/she seems healthy, lively, and alert, and has no symptoms of illness.We DO NOT recommend giving kittens or cats milk, since it frequently upsets a cat's digestive system. A substitute is Wiskas Ultramilk or a like product and we suggest it be given only once in a while.
Also, we suggest avoiding the "semi-moist" foods (Tender Vittles and the like) because they have harsh chemicals, dyes and a lot of salt and sugar. They are binding, however, so can be useful if the kitten/cat has diarrhea, but we would suggest adding very soft-cooked rice to the canned food before resorting to using these semi-moist foods.
We DO recommend feeding dry foods that are low in ash, such as the ones mentioned above, ESPECIALLY if the kitten is a male, in order to help prevent Feline Urological Syndrome.Shorthaired cats do not need much grooming. Brushing with a soft brush or combing with a fairly fine comb helps to remove dead hair, especially when the cat is shedding.
Somalis need brushing or combing a bit more regularly, perhaps once or twice a week. Trimming the cat's claws should be done periodically, perhaps weekly.Abyssinians and Somalis are very active and lively cats, so be sure to play with a kitten frequently and provide a cat tree or sturdy scratching post. Our cats seem to like the cardboard scratchers and they are very inexpensive and relatively long lasting.
They seem to love any kind of balls (ping pong, soft rubber, even rolled up aluminum foil), furry mice, rabbit's feet, and anything with bells. Keep in mind that they tend to like high places, so watch your shelves!Do try to "kitten-proof" things like loose wires, poisonous house plants, unscreened windows, etc. It is amazing what a kitten can decide to get into!
The best method that we have found for training and discipline is a water gun or spray bottle (washed thoroughly), and a sharp "NO!". We use small spray bottles that stand up on tables and don't leak. I hear Super Soakers work well too. :-) Blowing in a kitten's face or tapping gently on the bridge of the nose with 1 finger, if the kitten is close enough, also works. The latter two discipline methods work well for kittens that are going through a biting or scratching phase during play, which is very common. It is very important to discourage any biting or scratching, so a kitten does not begin to think this is acceptable behavior. Just stopping the play session, removing the kitten from your lap and ignoring him/her for a few minutes, is often sufficient.
Last updated: May
25 ,
2006
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