Just added a kitten to your family? Discover everything you should know about vets, food and more!

Watching your kitten grow will be one of the most fun things you'll ever do! Few things are as cute as kittens, but all that cuteness also comes with a lot of responsibility. In general, the first twelve weeks are the most important. This is the time to create solid foundations for your feline's health and behavior.

If you're the lucky new mom or dad to a kitten, read on to find out what to expect in the first few weeks.

Taking your kitten to the vet is one of the first things you should do. This visit is important because it rules out any health issues, and it allows you to ask important questions. Your veterinarian will perform a complete checkup that includes:

Your veterinarian may recommend that your little feline receive several vaccinations. Vaccines typically given at this age include rabies and the triple vaccine (V3), which is for a trio of upper respiratory tract illnesses: feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia. Your veterinarian may also suggest additional vaccinations, depending on your pup's history and the number of pets in your household.

Lastly, ask as many questions as you need! Knowing what behaviors are normal for a cat this age will help you identify abnormal behaviors if they occur. So, don't hesitate to ask your questions.

Each kitten has its own personality, but most kittens have many behavioral traits in common. First of all, they like to play! Play helps them learn about the world around them and socialize with people and other pets. Your kitty will begin to exhibit natural instinctual behaviors when playing, such as chasing and attacking toys (or other cats!).

When your feline is playing, nurture good behaviors that will extend into their adult life. Never encourage your kitten to fight with your hand or other body parts. This will help him understand that biting and scratching is not acceptable behavior. You can help him satisfy these instincts by introducing safe toys with no loose parts for him to chew, ingest, or choke on.

Play with your kitten at least once a day. This will help him form a strong emotional connection with you. If you have children, monitor this interaction to make sure it's a positive experience for both kitten and child.

After playing, your kitty will likely participate in yet another of her favorite pastimes: sleeping! To help your kitty establish sleep habits, play with her an hour before bed at night. This helps expend your energy so your cat can sleep through the night and recharge its batteries after so many games.

Kitten cats are naturally active and playful - if your kitten is exhibiting lethargic behaviors and showing no interest in food, see a veterinarian immediately.

Just added a kitten to your family? Discover everything you should know about vets, food and more!

Watching your kitten grow will be one of the most fun things you'll ever do! Few things are as cute as kittens, but all that cuteness also comes with a lot of responsibility. In general, the first twelve weeks are the most important. This is the time to create solid foundations for your feline's health and behavior.

If you're the lucky new mom or dad to a kitten, read on to find out what to expect in the first few weeks.

Taking your kitten to the vet is one of the first things you should do. This visit is important because it rules out any health issues, and it allows you to ask important questions. Your veterinarian will perform a complete checkup that includes:

Your veterinarian may recommend that your little feline receive several vaccinations. Vaccines typically given at this age include rabies and the triple vaccine (V3), which is for a trio of upper respiratory tract illnesses: feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia. Your veterinarian may also suggest additional vaccinations, depending on your pup's history and the number of pets in your household.

Lastly, ask as many questions as you need! Knowing what behaviors are normal for a cat this age will help you identify abnormal behaviors if they occur. So, don't hesitate to ask your questions.

Each kitten has its own personality, but most kittens have many behavioral traits in common. First of all, they like to play! Play helps them learn about the world around them and socialize with people and other pets. Your kitty will begin to exhibit natural instinctual behaviors when playing, such as chasing and attacking toys (or other cats!).

When your feline is playing, nurture good behaviors that will extend into their adult life. Never encourage your kitten to fight with your hand or other body parts. This will help him understand that biting and scratching is not acceptable behavior. You can help him satisfy these instincts by introducing safe toys with no loose parts for him to chew, ingest, or choke on.

Play with your kitten at least once a day. This will help him form a strong emotional connection with you. If you have children, monitor this interaction to make sure it's a positive experience for both kitten and child.

After playing, your kitty will likely participate in yet another of her favorite pastimes: sleeping! To help your kitty establish sleep habits, play with her an hour before bed at night. This helps expend your energy so your cat can sleep through the night and recharge its batteries after so many games.

Kitten cats are naturally active and playful - if your kitten is exhibiting lethargic behaviors and showing no interest in food, see a veterinarian immediately.

You will likely receive recommendations from your veterinarian for a complete and balanced diet. There are many dry and canned foods made specifically for the nutritional needs of kittens.

Because your kitten is growing quickly but still has a small stomach, she'll need frequent, small meals. Create a meal routine that allows you to eat frequently throughout the day. When offering canned food, discard leftovers that have been left on the plate for more than 20 minutes. Always leave clean, fresh water at your disposal. Finally, do not offer milk. Contrary to popular belief, cow's milk is not nutritious enough for kittens, and can cause them to have diarrhea.

Although kittens start licking themselves (their own version of bathing) around 3 to 4 weeks of age, they may not yet have formed this habit. Introduce regular grooming to get your kitten used to being brushed, combed, and having her nails trimmed.

Make this process easier and more fun by introducing grooming tools gradually and allowing your cat to explore them before using them. Let him sniff and play with the comb, and praise him when he lets you brush his coat or trim his nails.

Make these moments as relaxed and fun as possible so your kitty makes positive associations. You can even offer him a treat when he lets you cut his nails. That way, your kitty will be excited every time he sees you with the nail clipper. The idea is to make this care routine for your kitten when he is still young, so that this routine becomes normal and easy in his adult life.

One of the main concerns of new cat parents involves the litter box. While this behavior is instinctive and most cats pick up on it on their own, some felines need a little help.

Gently place them in a litter box after eating, and always praise them when they succeed.

Ensure successful behavior: