When your new kitten arrives home with you it will be nervous, scared and wary of its new surroundings. This is probably the first time it has been away from it's mother and in a new environment so during these first few days you'll need to donate time to help the kitten acclimatise to it's new home.
You'll have to show it
where it can sleep, where it will eat and, importantly, you'll need to
toilet train it. This is a vital time for your kitten so try and introduce new things, people and other pets slowly and in a manner where it causes the least amount of stress to it. If possible give it an area where it can get away from anything easily and where it cannot be disturbed and most of all where it feels safe.
If your kitten is going to be going outside make sure it has had its vaccinations before it does so as diseases such as feline influenza are fatal to cats. When you do introduce your kitten to the outside world do so by accompanying it every time until it is comfortable with it surroundings and happy to be left alone. Cats are naturally very inquisitive animals but this process could take up to 6 months.
For the health of your kitten you need to worm it regularly for roundworms every 3 weeks from when its 6 weeks old until it reaches 4 months of age. This period should be done while it is still with the breeder so check with them that it has been done before you buy it. From 4 months of age your kitten should be wormed for both round and tape worms every 2 to 4 months for the rest of its life. If you want to get your kitten neutered then this can be done from the age of 5 months and recommended as there are lots of unwanted cats in the country and spaying your cat has more health benefits than not having it done. Also cats are not always under your supervision so getting pregnant can happen very easily and be unnoticed until it’s too late.
Feeding your cat can be made easy if you feed a complete
dry cat food. Super premium brands are the best such as
Hill’s Science Plan, Pro Plan, Royal Canin and
Iams and not too expensive to use (if fed correctly) as you don’t need to feed as much to your cat due to the high quality of ingredients in them. A complete dry food is better for your cat’s teeth as it will clean the teeth while your cat eats and it can also be left out all the time allowing your cat to graze like it does naturally. If you are going to feed a wet food try and limit this as much as possible and get the best quality food you can afford, because the cheaper diets contain more water and the meat quality can be very low.
Once you have your kitten there are some basic items that you will need to purchase:
• A
kitten brush and comb. We suggest a
Mikki Kitten Grooming Kit as this contains all the tools required to maintain a good healthy skin and coat for your kitten’s delicate skin.
•
Food and water bowls. We suggest depending on the size of your cat the
Armitage Non-Slip bowl, the
Armitage Double bowl or preferably an
Classic Non-slip Stainless Steel Bowl. Stainless steel bowls last a lot longer and are more hygienic.
• A
bag of food that the kitten has been fed on by the breeder.
• A
cat litter tray and
litter scoop. If you kitten is to become a house cat get a hooded cat tray like the
Ferplast Hooded Cat Tray but if it is for training purposes only get a cheaper
Armitage cat litter tray and
Scoop.
•
Litter tray liners and
cat litter.
Armitage Cat Litter Liners make it easier for you to empty you litter tray and are more hygienic. Try and choose the same type of litter your kitten/cat is used to as many cats don’t like the feel of certain litters and that often puts them off using the tray and will lead to them going to the toilet elsewhere in the house!
• A scratching post to help entertain your kitten/cat and to prevent it clawing your furniture.
The Cleo Carpet Scratching Post is a good first post to have with its toy and catnip inside.
• A cat bed - cats love to be warm and curl up so the
Sinclair Cat Cradle radiator bed is a good choice.
• A soft safe cat collar. The
Ancol Cat Collar is felt lined, has a bell and elastic fitting for safety.