Tips for new kitten owners

Bringing a new kitten home can be an exciting time. It’s important to maintain the health of your kitten and ensure they experience a stress free introduction to their new home.

Any new pet is a commitment and as their owner it is important to understand their needs to manage their quality of life as your pet. There are many things to consider when you bring your new kitten home to help make the process as stress free as possible. Here are a few tips:

Kitten proof your home

Ensure your home is kitten proof and you have all the essentials for your new pet. Remove any poisonous plants and tie up any hanging cords or cables to prevent your kitten from chewing or choking on them. As cats are inquisitive, keep places you don’t want them to go out of bounds, keep washing machine and tumble dryer doors closed, as well as windows shut to stop them from jumping out.

Be patient with your new kitten

Give your kitten time to adjust to their new environment. Give them space and limit the amount of time you handle them in the first few weeks. For safety and until your kitten gets used to their new surroundings you could limit them to just one room of the house.

Bedding

Provide your new kitten with a comfy and warm cat bed. Most cats sleep where they like, but having a bed will get them used to a routine and prevent them from sleeping in places you don’t want them to. Place their new bed close to their food bowls and within easy reach of their litter tray.

Register with a vet

Make sure you register your kitten with a vet. Regular health checks with your local vet are important to ensure that your kitten is receiving the best possible care. They will be able check their overall health and advise on important vaccinations that they will need, as well as offer advice on your kitten’s diet and flea and worm products.

Diet

Your new kitten will need a specific diet, which will ensure that they get the essential nutrients and vitamins they need for their growth and development. Kittens have small stomachs and have to be fed little and often. Set up a feeding schedule to prevent your kitten from overeating and gaining any unwanted weight.

Grooming

Be sure to start grooming your cat straight away to get them used to the routine early. If you start handling their paws and trimming their claws early, this will help to make it a less stressful experience.

Scratch posts

These are important to relieve stress for your kitten and to make sure they don’t scratch at furniture. Cats naturally scratch before they settle, so make sure it in an accessible place. You could place a few around the home.

Litter tray

Be sure to place this in a quiet area, away from food and water bowls. Make sure that the litter tray is cleaned each day. Kittens usually pick up on how to use a litter tray from their mother, but you may need to offer some help and encouragement at first.

Keep your kitten indoors

For the first few weeks and until they have been vaccinated, keep your kitten indoors. This will help them to get used to their new environment. Make sure you get your kitten micro-chipped when they are old enough in case they escape or get lost.

Food and water bowls

Cats prefer to eat in a different place to where they drink, so make sure you place their food and water bowls away from each other. Provide your kitten with fresh water each day. If you have more than one cat, be sure to feed your cats separately to prevent one stealing food from the other.

Exercise

It is important to train your kitten to play without being aggressive. They should learn early that play with claws and biting is not acceptable behaviour. Any exercise for your kitten should incorporate their natural desire to climb and hunt.

Cat toys

Provide your kitten with toys to play with to encourage exercise. Although kittens sleep a lot, they do have short bursts of energy, so be sure provide them with something to play with so they don’t get bored. Kittens also love to climb, so remove any breakable objects that they may be able to reach to prevent any accidents.

Your vet will be able to advise on any of the above and offer health advice with regards to your kitten’s health needs. Ask your vet about Nutracalm, which could naturally calm anxious pets ad reduce unwanted or unruly behaviour.

We have a number of products that can support your kitten during their early years, including Nutraquin, to aid optimum joint health during growth and Nutracalm to reduce stress and anxiety. Nutramind can also be used to support memory and learning abilities in your kitten.