New Kitten
Your New Kitten
It’s important to be fully prepared before collecting your kitten. Make sure you’ve kitten-proofed your home and set up a room with everything they'll need, including a bed, food and water bowls, a litter tray and toys.
You’ll need a cat carrier, and some of the food their previous owner’s been feeding them. It’s also a good idea to find a vet you trust and make an appointment for a check-up a few days after collecting them.
Some tips to go through the first days at home:
Try to be at home at least the first two days, keep an eye on them all time at the beginning.
Keep your house calm and quiet.
Let the kitten explore and don’t over cuddle them.
Show them their bed and their litter tray.
Make them used to spending time alone, slowly increasing the time you’re out.
Give them a safe place to rest at home, the first night it might help to leave a night light.
Kittens might eat little the first days after moving, avoid giving them scraps or milk, since it’s not good for them, their appetite will eventually settle.
Vet check
Your kitten will need to see a vet after a few days settling.
They will do a general health check and set up a vaccination schedule (probably starting at 8 weeks of age), as well as recommended worming, nutrition and more.
It is important that you introduce your kitten to a cat carrier, so they will get used to it and will be more comfortable during visits to the vet. You may as well want to encourage your kitten to use the carrier as a safe sleeping place.
You should make your kitten used to car trips too, taking them on some car journeys during the first week. Start by making sure they feel comfortable in the carrier, then introduce them to the car without the engine on. Once they’re settled, familiarise them with the engine and motion.
Socialisation and training
You should gradually introduce them to new experiences and give gentle encouragement to help them socialise.
Sounds: Keep introducing them to new noises while reassuring them. This could include the washing machine, music, the hairdryer…
Get your kitten used to handling and being picked, so they’ll feel less stressed when the vet gives them a thorough check.
Reward good behaviour.
Make time to play, as it’s part of their socialisation. Do it at least two or three times daily for around 15 minutes.
Call your kitten by his name while playing or feeding, and repeat it. This will help them recognise their name. Try not to repeat it while punishing.
Kittens normally learn how to use their litter trays from their mother, so try to use the same litter they’re used to.
If they don’t do it, try placing them on the litter tray straight after eating and waking up, or whenever their body language suggests they need to go to the toilet, and avoid punishments if they have an accident.
Make sure to clean the litter tray daily.
Place the litter tray in a calm place and not too close to the bed and food bowls.
Vaccination
Your kitten should be vaccinated routinely against diseases, which can cause serious illnesses and even death. Such diseases include feline leukaemia, cat flu, feline immunodeficiency and feline panleukopenia.
These are contagious diseases which are common in both wild and domestic cats so vaccination is vital to ensure your cat’s protection. Vaccination can be started at any age, but it is important to start as early as possible. After primo vaccination, all vaccines should be given on this date every year throughout your cat's life.
Feeding
It is important to feed a high quality food, preferably dry food, suitable for your pet's life stage (kitten, adult, senior).
This will help maintain a shiny, healthy coat, healthy teeth and gums, healthy body weight and as a result reduces the risk of illness throughout their life. Fresh water should be available at all times.
Before bringing your kitten home, check the food they’re used to and the quantity they’re fed daily. Any sudden dietary changes can upset your kitten’s stomach and they’ll adapt more easily to their new home if their food’s familiar.
Keep an eye on your kitten’s weight to ensure they’re neither losing weight nor becoming overweight – both of which can cause health issues. Follow the recommended feeding quantities on your kitten’s food packaging and contact your vet for advice if you’re concerned about their weight or growth.
There are three common feeding methods for kittens and cats.
Self-service - This is the most natural style as, when cats have free access to food, they usually eat several small meals a day – as many as 16 in 24 hours. It’s suitable for kittens who can eat dry food and aren’t overweight or likely to overeat.
Fractioned feeding - This is when you feed your kitten at specific times during the day. It’s not as well-suited to their natural grazing tendencies, so it’s best to divide their overall daily ration into smaller amounts offered several times a day.
Combination feeding - For this feeding method, you provide kibbles on a self-service basis and wet food at set times. If you use this approach, it’s important to control the amount of food provided overall to prevent your kitten becoming overweight.
Never feed fish or meat with bones, as this may cause them to choke, or become lodged in their throat, or even penetrate the stomach.
Fleas/Mites
These parasites can live on or in your pets skin and ears, causing severe irritation and discomfort to your pet. Both fleas and ticks can bite humans too, that’s why it’s so important to do a good preventive treatment.
It is very recommended to give your cat preventive treatment for ticks and fleas if they’re going outdoors.
A spot-on treatment for the back of the neck is available, making it easier to administer, and keeping your cat protected from one to three months depending on the brand used.
Worming
Since your kitten’s immune system is not fully developed, they’re more likely to catch worms.
It’s recommended to deworm them when they arrive home and 2 weeks later, ideally before getting their vaccines.
The fact that you don’t see worms doesn’t mean that your kitten is free of them, that’s why it is important to treat them, ideally every 3 months if they go outdoors.
Children are particularly at risk of contracting roundworms from the pet, which are spread in the saliva and faeces.
Carefully hand washing is important after handling the pets or playing in areas where the pets have been.
Wormers can be bought and are available in tablet, and spot-on forms.
Neutering
Neutering your cat is highly recommended, if you don't want a litter of kittens.
It can prevent cancers such as uterine cancer and reduce mammary cancers
It prevents the cat from coming into heat, so reduces stress, roaming, and helps reduce the spread of viral disease.
It can be performed when the cat is 5 months of age for males and 6 months of age for females or at least 2.5Kg weight
After sterilisation a kitten’s appetite tends to increase and they also become less active. Without careful management of their diet and exercise, this can lead to them becoming overweight.
Ask your vet for advice on adjusting your kitten’s diet after sterilisation. You may need to switch to a food designed for kittens that have been sterilised, so you can provide the same quantity but fewer calories.
