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New Kitten

We got a kitten and it is approx 6 weeks. Totally on water and food now. Its been dewormed I believe by the previous owner, they say so anyways but I am not so sure,  and was wondering at what age should she get her first shots.  

The kitten seems to get scared quite a bit. Mostly when our 2.5 year old tries to play with it.  She hiss's and spits and all claws come out.  What should we do or not do during these times.  


Also, this small bundle of fur isn't litter box trained and I am constantly every 15 minutes putting it in the litter box, only to have her give me a look and jump out and run off.  

I appreciate any advice you can give me.  

Thanks,
Becky
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234713 tn?1283526659
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I do not know how long you have had the kitten but it takes a while for any animal to adjust to a new environment.  Six weeks is very young and I wish that the previous owner had kept her with her mother and siblings until at least 8 weeks.  The longer a kitten or puppy is kept with her siblings the better she will be at keeping her claws in, not biting etc.  The mother cat and littermates teach the kitten good behaviors, like not to hiss, bite and claw.  If a kitten is taken away too soon from that nurturing environment than that environment must be simulated in the kitten's new home.  If a kitten uses it's claws, you must cry out (as a sibling would, and, get the kitten's attention), and then put the kitten in a time out.  The time out can just be a place where she won't get any attention for five minutes.  The same method should be used with all adverse behaviors.  If she is a very dominant cat a time out may not be enough and you may have to squirt her face gently with water from a squirt bottle.  Please remember to reward her with a favorite treat when she is good, such as when she uses the litter box.

I don
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for all the advice.  I will certainly take those techniques into play.  Joie, the kitten went to the vet today, was stated to be in excellent health at 1 pound 1.5 ozs, was given dewormer and her first distemper shot.  We are to go back in 4 weeks.
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172023 tn?1334672284
Anytime you adopt a new animal, I believe your first stop should be to the vet for a complete exam and to get advice on shots/worming etc.  I always try to get a new pet to the vet within the first 48 hours to rule out any problems and to be sure the animal is healthy.  
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172023 tn?1334672284
I just said that b/c you were wondering at what age they'll get their first shots.  If you have an appt. tomorrow, I'm sure they'll tell you then.

I think they have to get dewormed a couple of times, too.  Its been a long time since I've had cats!  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I happen to be a very responsible pet owner.  We have a vet appt tomorrow at 1130am.  I just wanted some feedback until then because for the last 31 years I have only raised dogs and guinea pigs and hamsters. Never cats.  Thanks for the advice though.
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