How to Care for Your New Kitten
A guide to making sure your new feline friend gets the best start in life
By Simon Neuhoff
Veterinary Surgeon and Owner of Winton Lodge Veterinary Clinic
As you will know, getting a new kitten is extremely exciting. You have a new bundle of fluff in your
home and a new friend to cuddle and play with.
But as well as the nice parts of having a new kitten in your home, there are also some important
things that you will need to do to ensure that your new pet grows into a healthy, well adjusted and
friendly cat.
At Winton Lodge we see lots of lovely young kittens and owners often ask us about the best ways to
care for their new friends. We have put this guide together to help you make sure your kitten gets all
they need.
With the right start kittens will grow to become extremely loving and playful pets. This guide is
designed to give you an outline of the things you need to consider starting from before they arrive
right through into adulthood. As always we are available to answer any questions either at the clinic
when you visit with your kitten or over the phone.
We wish you all the best with the new addition to your family!
Choosing a breed
First question for many potential owners will be whether they want to go for a "moggy" or a
pedigree and if they do opt for a pedigree which breed will be best for them.
Just like people, cats have very differing personalities. Some breeds are known for being more laid
back than others. Other breeds may require a lot more hands on care such as with their grooming
etc.
In general cats suffer less with inherited diseases than dogs too but there are certain breed
dispositions that are worth being aware of.
It is worth researching your chosen breed before you make the commitment to ensure they are a
good fit for your home and lifestyle. If you need any advice we are always available to answer any
breed related queries you have!
Getting your home ready to welcome the new arrival.
When you collect your new kitten you will need to make sure you can transport him or her safely
and securely. A decent cat carrier is the best option. We recommend an old jumper or blanket in the
bottom to make it a little softer and warmer for the journey.
At home you will need to make sure you have all the basic things in place. Have you got a litter
tray? Kittens can't go outside for a few weeks until their vaccines are all done so they will need
somewhere they can go to toilet. Litter trays come in various shapes and sizes. For kittens a basic
one that is big enough and easy to access will be fine. Try if possible to put it in a quieter area of the
house.
You will need food and water bowls. A mat can be placed underneath to help with spillages.
Using a good diet is essential for your kitten. They will need a higher energy density than an adult
cat and with the correct nutritional balance to support growth and higher activity. It is a good idea to
feed them the same food as the breeder did, at least initially, to reduce the chance of an upset
stomach.
Unless your kitten will be allowed to sleep on your bed you will need to provide them with a soft
and secure place to sleep. A simple cardboard box with an old jumper or blanket will do adequately.
Make sure they can get in and out easily and there are no sharp edges or corners. There are lots of
fancy beds to choose from too!
Scratching posts are a very good way for kittens to keep their claws in good condition and these
could save your furniture and carpets from damage. They are also great for your kitten to play with
when no-one is around.
Like children, kittens get bored easily so they needs lots of things to play with. In many cases a
simple ball will keep a kitten happily entertained for hours. Do make sure that all toys you use are
kitten friendly – avoid strings or anything that can be swallowed.
It is vital to make sure your home is completely kitten proof. Lillies and anti-freeze are a common
source of poisoning for cats. Make sure that any gaps or holes the kitten could get stuck in are
securely blocked.
Getting your kitten comfortable in their new home
Kittens all have their own personalities. Some may be very confident right away and leap out of the
carrier ready to play and to explore. Others may be a little or even extremely nervous at first and
may need somewhere to hide initially.
You shouldn't be too concerned if your new kitten takes a little time to get used to you and to their
new surroundings. You can help by:
-Picking them up regularly and giving them lots of attention – but if they are getting too stressed
then do allow them to get down again.
-Not making loud noises or sudden movements that might frighten them.
-If you have children, encourage them to be calm and relaxed when aproaching and handling the
kitten. Smaller children should hold the kitten whilst seated to prevent injuries.
-If your kitten is very nervous and hiding a toy can be useful to entice them from their hiding place.
For stress relief in general an option is to use the Feliway diffuser or spray which is a pheromone
product which promotes the release of calming hormones in the brain of the cat.
Above all give them time to get used to everything that is new to them.
Protecting your kitten from serious infectious diseases
It is very important to have your kitten vaccinated. Otherwise they could catch a disease that could
potentially become fatal.
Kittens can be vaccinated from nine weeks of age. The process consists of two injections that are
given three to four weeks apart. At the same time the vet will undertake a full clinical examination
to check for any health concerns and will also be able to help you with any questions.
Until your kitten is vaccinated you shouldn't allow them to go outside or come into contact with any
unvaccinated cats.
Vaccinations protect your kitten from:
Feline Leukaemia – a retrovirus that is the most common infectious cause of death in cats in the
western world. Symptoms vary from immune disorders to cancer.
Cat flu – a highly contagious disease spread by direct and indirect contact. Symptoms include nasal
and ocular discharges, sneezing, coughing and lethargy. The uncomplicated form is rarly fatal but
symptoms can persist for a long time and even permanently.
Feline enteritis – a highly contagious cause of vomiting and diarrhoea which can be fatal in younger
animals.
Following the kitten vaccines your cat should have booster vaccines yearly to keep them protected
for life. These vaccines also come with a full nose-to-tail health check done by one of our vets.
At Winton Lodge we recognise how important the vaccines are for kittens and have put togther a
very good value option – our Kitten Care Plan which covers both the injections, a flea and worm
treatment and a microchip – all for £80. In addition you get four week's free insurance for peace of
mind should anything happen straight away and a sample bag of food.
Make sure your kitten is free from worms and fleas.
Fleas and worms are parasitic diseases that can affect humans as well as kittens and it is important
to treat your new addition regularly for both.
Fleas and worms not only cause discomfort and pain for your kitten but can cause serious illness
and even death.
Fleas are surface parasites that bite the kitten and draw blood – severe infestation can cause severe
anaemia in young kittens. In addition they cause itching and skin irritation.
Fleas frequently bite humans too and once established in the home can be very difficult to eradicate.
If a kitten has fleas they will usually have tapeworms too as these are transmitted by fleas.
All kitten should be treated at least once when first obtained for fleas and then regularly once they
start going out.
Intestinal worms are extremely common in kittens as they are infected through their mother's milk.
Studies show 96% of three week old kittens have worms. Some worm species can transmit to
people, especially children, so it is important to worm your kitten frequently.All kittens should be
wormed against round worm every month until six months of age.
There are a wide range of worm and flea products available which we can advise you on.
Feeding your kitten
Kittens grow up very quickly and it won't be long before that tiny bundle of fluff is a strong and
confident young cat.They do need a good diet to help them get there though!
There are a wide range of food options out there that vary massively in quality and price. Cats don't
digest fibre very well so it is worth making sure you get a decent quality food.
Initially it is worth feeding your kitten on the same food as fed by the breeder to help them settle in
and to help prevent an upset stomach.Any diet change should be made gradually over about a week
by mixing the new diet into the old one.
Young kittens need regular feeding, up to five meals daily, reducing as time goes on. From six
months of age most kittens can be fed twice daily.
Kittens and cats can be fed on wet or dry food. If fed dry food they will need access to plenty of
water.
At Winton Lodge we recommend the Hills range of cat foods. We can give you a free sample pack
for your kitten to try with their first vaccines. If they like it we can give you a £5 discount on the
first bag and the sixth bag is free!
Litter training your kitten
Many kitten will learn to use a litter tray from their mothers – making your life very easy! If your
kitten isn't litter trained here are a few tips to help with the process:
-Put your kitten into the litter tray after they have eaten and as soon as they wake up. If you see
them sniffing around corners and scratching this is also an indication they may need to use the litter
tray.
-If you have more than one kitten make sure each of them has their own litter tray. This avoids the
dominant one preventing the other using the litter tray
-Use newspaper or similar under the litter tray to catch spillage and dust from the paws.
-Try to use the same litter matter as the breeder was using to make it more familiar for your kitten
-Use enough litter matter in the tray that the kitten can bury their waste
-Clean the litter tray regularly.
-Put the litter tray in a quiet area – cats like privacy!
-Keep the litter tray away from all food and water – human and animal.
Cats are usually very easy to litter train being naturally clean and fastidious. If your kitten does
have an accident don't punish them. Simply put them straight away on the litter tray and they will
soon get the idea.
Playing with and socialising your new friend
Playing with your kitten not only helps to develop your pet's muscles and movements but will also
help to strenghten the bond you have with them.
Cats are natural hunters and love to play with things by chasing or pouncing on them. Essentially
play for kittens is practice for hunting.
Your kitten may not want to play straight away but if you dangle toys in front of them they usually
can't resist for very long! Toys include things that can be chewed, dragged or chased. As mentioned
earlier it is important to avoid strings or similar things that could be swallowed.
Kittens have a short attention span so it is useful to have a variety of toys that can be rotated.
Scratching posts and tunnels are great for when you are not around to keep your kitten entertained.
It is important NOT to let your kitten pounce on your bare unprotected skin as this can lead to
behavioural issues later in life.
Letting your kitten outside for the first time
It is vital that your kitten not be allowed out until the primary vaccination course is complete. Once
this is done they can start venturing outside under supervision.
Many people choose to keep their kitten indoors until they are neutered and microchipped – this
means they are big enough and fast enough to look after themselves.
Once they start going out they should be treated for fleas and also for ticks if needed.
Microchipping
Microchipping is a safe and permanent way of identifying your cat. This is a small device the size
of a grain of rice implanted under the skin which carries an internationally unique code. This can be
done in conscious cats or at the time of the neutering operation. We use the new "slimline"
microchips which are the smallest on the market and least painful for implanting.
Microchipping for kittens is quite often done at the time of neutering as it can then be done under
the anaeshetic. This is a good opportunity as the majority of kittens don't go outside until after this
time.
Neutering
We recomend that all kittens be neutered from 5 months of old. A proportion of kittens will reach
puberty at this age or even younger in some cases!
Neutering helps not only to prevent unwanted pregnancies but can help with a number of
behavioural issues and can also help to prevent serious diseases such as abscesses and Feline AIDS.
Neutering does require a general anaesthetic but the risk associated with the procedure is minimal.
Neutering does tend to lower the metabolic rate and so there may be a tendency for the cat to put on
weight – this can be addressed by changing their diet if needed.
Kitten Healthcare Timeline
9 weeks
Full Health Check
First vaccination
Treatment for fleas and worms
12 weeks
Full Health Check
Complete primary vaccination
Continue worm and flea programme – monthly worming, flea treatment once they
start going out
5-6 months
Developmental check
Neutering
Microchipping if not already done
Start flea treatments if now going out
Continue on "adult" worm control programme
One year old Full health examination
and yearly
Booster vaccination
thereafter
Continue worm and flea control as per pet's lifestyle
Check weight and nutrition
Remember
This guide is intended to help you provide the best possible care to your new kitten. We hope you
have found it useful!
At Winton Lodge we are all pet owners and we believe in offering the same level of care we would
want for our own pets. We aim to combine the very highest level of primary veterinary expertise
with a friendly and approachable manner.
We want to make caring for your pets as easy and stress free as possible. To this end we have put
together our Kitten and Puppy Care Plans which combine everything you need to get your pet off to
the best possible start.
We have also implemented a Pet Health Plan which is designed to slot in after the Kitten and Puppy
plans. This covers all the routine health care costs in a simple direct debit system and is a great way
of not only spreading the costs but also of saving you money. Please see our website for more
information on this.
If you would like more information about how we can help you to look after your new friend please
don't hesitate to get in touch.
You can call the Epsom branch on 01372722313 and the Leatherhead branch on 01372360699
We look forward to meeting your new kitten!
Www.wintonlodgevets.co.uk