Quotes from Amy Shojai

Cats groomed daily as kittens learn to expect and relish

the experience. Combing and brushing become an extension of petting. Kittens thrive on routine, so decide on a regimen and stick to it. That's not only a time, but also a place such as a tabletop,

Claws grow at different rates depending on the kitten. Once every week or every other week is a good schedule. A good time to trim kitten nails is when she is relaxed, and cuddled for a nap on your lap. It's a great idea to get Kitty used to having her paws handled, so she won't be startled when you need to trim her nails. Pet her paws, and handle them gently, several times a week—not just when you plan to snip claws.

Once you've finished, be sure to give Kitty a fabulous treat. She should soon understand that if she puts up with the procedure, she'll get a tasty reward.

Remember, nobody will think less of you if not all the claws are trimmed at one setting. It's best to stop before your kitten gets peeved, so be satisfied with clipping one or two claws each day.

Introduce your kitten to dental care one step at a time. Begin by stroking and scratching her cheeks and chin, progress to rubbing her lips, and finally gently slip one finger into her mouth. Don't force her to open wide, just gently rub her gums for a very brief moment. Reward these sessions with a tasty treat—perhaps a lick of the flavored kitty toothpaste, to help her associate that flavor with handling her mouth.

Start to flavor your finger with the toothpaste. Then wrap your finger with a soft cloth, add a bit of the paste, and massage your kitten's teeth and gums with that. Stop when she protests too much. Be satisfied if you can do one side—you simply want to build up her tolerance level.

expose youngsters to happy, positive experiences with a variety of strangers, locations and other pets. That helps them learn that other people, places, and critters can be fun and not scary.

Use of cat pheromone products both at home and in clinic situations ease stress in the cat's territory and/or relationships.

Provide Soothing Sounds.

Rescue Remedy or similar products can help shy and fearful pets.

Offer Treats.

Try to schedule routine vet visits for your cats at the same time. That way, they all smell similar after being handled by clinic staff.

Segregate an ill cat from the others, especially if they're treating him poorly.

Segregate the kitty returning from the vet in a room alone for at least half a day. That gives him time to self-groom and remove all the icky clinic smell from his fur,

Kitties almost always lick their noses after they've swallowed. Have Kitty's most favorite treat in the world ready to offer her as soon as you've closed her

An excellent kitten restraint that works well for adult cats, too, is the pillowcase. Simply put the cat inside, with her head (or other body part that needs attention) sticking out the opening.

As with pilling, place the palm of one hand over your kitten's head to hold her still, and tip her head to the ceiling. Insert the end of the applicator into the corner of Kitty's mouth,

between her lips. Then squirt the medicine into her cheek. Withdraw the syringe, and hold her mouth closed until you see her swallow.

And remember, whenever not contraindicated by her health, always follow a treatment with a tasty treat. That associates the unpleasantness with good things, so the kitten will be less likely to argue about subsequent treatments.

After you apply the ointment, salve or other medicine to the skin problem, distract the kitten with a game. Play with a feather or fishing-pole toy for ten to fifteen minutes, to allow the medicine to be absorbed.

Playing with your kitten can be a powerful bonding and training tool. Make a point to play with your kitten for at least twenty minutes, twice a day.

Socialization impacts your kitten on the most basic level. It refers to the sensitive period in your kitten's development when he learns from positive and negative events. The prime socialization period for kittens falls between two to seven weeks of age; however, socialization continues through 12 to 16 weeks and also has an impact.

When training kittens, consistency must rule, or else! Don't allow your kitten on the countertop one day and chastised him for it the next. First of all, it's not fair to him to change the rules in the middle of the game. Also, inconsistency sabotages any training progress you've made.