Caring for a new kitten

Basic requirements
A new kitten is always a lovely addition to the household. There are a few basic requirements to put in place before your kitten arrives. It will need a food bowl and water bowl for fresh water. Also a suitable kitten food and it’s a good idea to bring home some of  the type of food  your kitten is used to eating or find out what it has been fed and then if you wish to change to another  type wean it slowly onto the new food. Food can be wet or dry or a mixture of both. Sticking to the same food or not changing it often will make you kitten less likely to get any upset stomach problems.

Things to purchase
Your kitten may like a bed or you may find it chooses a place it likes in the house to sleep .The bed should be placed in a quiet area away from noise in the house and the kitten shown it or placed in it when it becomes sleepy. A litter tray and cat litter will be needed. Most kittens are very good at using a litter tray as their mother cat will have shown them where to toilet. Kittens love to play and so lots of toys will be needed .They love toy mice, wand type toys and kitten tunnels in particular.

Settling with other cats
If you have other cats let them all mix and decide whether they want to stay in the same room or move away from each other. Some may run away from a new kitten until they get used to it which can take a couple of months or so. Some may be aggressive in behaviour towards it which you can discourage in case the young one gets scratched. Cats usually sort out who is the boss and where in the house they feel safe.

Veterinary considerations
Your kitten should be registered with a vet and have vaccinations against cat flu, feline enteritis and leukaemia virus. Some vets also vaccinate for Chlamydia. It will need to be wormed regularly following your vet’s advice and microchipped in case it goes missing. It will be protected against diseases a week to ten days after vaccination and so can then venture out with you. You may want to install a cat flap as it gets older. Some people prefer to keep their kitten indoors until after it is neutered. Your vet will advise you as to when they neuter but it is commonly done around 5 to 6 months of age. If you leave a female cat not neutered after 6 months it can quickly become pregnant if allowed out although it will still be growing itself so neutering is very important unless you are a breeder.