A cat is mature at twelve months in terms of body size, bone devel-opment, and weight. Only its coat may still be changing in length andcolor. Its diet should continue as it is described above.Feed once a dayand provide as much as is necessary to keep your cat lean, neither plumpnor skinny. Try 6 to 7 ounces a day of whichever diet you have decided on,with a little extra fat, small amounts of milk (if digestible), an occasional cooked egg (or raw yolk). Make certain that all basic needs are met, but donot overfeed. Make sure that your children are not feeding their pet on thesly.This has been a long chapter full of do's and don'ts. I will ran throughthe major points, and you can use this summation as a checklist.1. Prepare a draft-free area for the newborn kitten (or kittens I.2. Have on hand some basic equipment. For the new kitten with-out a queen to nurse it: doll's baby bottles, a plastic eyedropper, doll'sbaby nipples, a measuring cup with ounce gradations, a mixing bow!,perhaps a baby scale.3. Later on, for the growing kitten, get some toys made of hardrubber and a scratching post for the kitten's developing claws.4. Do not let children play too hard with the young kitten.5. Clip the kitten's nails at about eight weeks, and thereafterwhenever you see growth. This will protectit from scratches and yourpossessions from destruction.6. Do not take the small kitten outside unless it is very mildweather.7. Keep all items used by the kitten sanitary. Make sure the litterbox is kept clean of bowel movements, and keep it dry by adding newlayers of litter.8. Periodically check the kitten's stools for signs of worms or otherabnormalities diarrhea or blood. If you see such signs,call your ve-terinarian.9. Start weaning by the end of the third week and definitelyin thefourth. Finish it by the sixth week. This is for owners who have thequeen present and nursing.10. Even if you do not suspect worms, take a stool sample to the ve-terinarian at four to six weeks. Never attempt worming with home reme-dies.1L Be careful of the unclosed spot on the top of the kitten's head.12. Do not bathe a young kitten. By brushing and combing, you cankeep it clean, and if the queen is present, she will do the job herself.13. If you have doubts about your kitten's health, take its tempera-ture with a rectal thermometer. Normal is 101 to 102F.14. Whatever diet you choose should be complete. The young kit-ten requires proportionately larger amounts of protein and fets. Give avitamin-mineral supplement.15. Your kitten receives colostrum from the dam. That givesit atemporary immunity to feline distemper.Inoculations are necessary for for permanent immunity. Follow the schedule outlined on page 57. Seealso the chapter on ailments.16. During teething, from three to six months, have your ve-terinarian check to see if everythingis going correctly.17. At about two months or sooner, work on naming. Walking thecat on a leash, if you plan to do it, should start at about three months.18. If you plan to have your female spayed or your male neutered,follow the schedule on page 38.19. The young kitten may become carsick. It usually passes.20. Accustom the kitten to a carryingcase in the event you need touse it.21. Even if nothing seems wrong, your kitten needs a checkupevery six months. The mature cat should be examined every year. Main-tain the boosters.22. Do not let your kitten or cat become overweight. It shortenstheir life. The ideal appearanceis a slender, muscular, and lithe animal.23. If your kitten has not been altered, expect the female to go intoher heat period at 6 to 7 months; the male will show sexual interest aftera few months.24. Maintain daily grooming, brushing, combing, and so on.