Bringing a new kitten into your home is a joyous experience that comes with a lot of responsibility. But before you get started with feeding, cleaning, or other aspects of pet care, you’ll need to choose a name for your new furry friend.

How to Choose a Name for Your Kitten

1. Choose Something Distinctive

It may be tempting to choose a name that reflects another animal in your household, but this can be confusing for both the pets and yourself. Also, avoid rhyming names or names that sound like commands to save you and your cat some miscommunication.

2. Think Long-Term

Cats can live to be 20 years or older. This means they’re going to bear the name you give them for a long time. While a cute name might be perfect for a kitten, it should also be suitable for an older cat.

3. Keep It Short

Although cats are famous for ignoring when their owners call them, they do know and recognize their names. To help them understand when they’re being called, choose a short, simple name of no more than two or three syllables. This will help kittens quickly learn to distinguish the sounds in their names.

4. Consider Personality & Appearance

Your kitten has a unique personality and appearance, and it makes sense to reflect that in their name. You may choose a name like Smokey for a gray cat or Midnight for a black cat. If your four-legged friend is especially sneaky or good at hiding, something like Shadow might be suitable.

To give your new kitten the best pet care, count on Dykes Veterinary Clinic in Foley, AL. Since 1989, these caring veterinary professionals have offered exceptional medical treatment. They use the latest equipment and techniques to guarantee outstanding pet care for animals ranging from dogs and cats to birds, reptiles, and small farm animals. Call (251) 943-3211 to schedule an appointment or learn more about their services online.