Getting a new kitten – What to know

Welcome back to the wonderful world of cat enslavement :):

The basics are food and water bowls, litter box, toys, scratching posts, bed.

There are many types of food for kittens and cats. Kittens should be feed wet food as part of a balanced diet with quality kitten dry cat food from a reputable manufacturer left down at all times to graze on. Brand of food depends on your budget. Purina Kitten Chow is the least expensive on up to Blue Wilderness which is very expensive. Wet food is mostly protein and water so it good for cats of all ages. You need to supplement that diet with dry food. If you can find out what food your wittle bittah kittah is eating now, it will save the stress of changing food while moving into a new environment. If you want to change the food do it after he/she is situated.

Kittens like adult cats require wholesome, high-protein food and a constant supply of water. Food is served more frequently with kittens than with adult cats. Basic feeding guidelines for your new kitten sorted by age.

Age 3-5 Months: 5 to 4 meals daily
Age 6-8 Months: 3 to 4 meals daily
Age 9-12 Months: 3 meals daily

Litter box – Kittahs are know to eat clumping litter so ONLY use non-clumping litter. You can change to clumping when your baby is about 6-8 months old. Once your kitten has been allowed to roam freely, always keep a watchful eye and keep taking your new kitten back to its litter tray at regular intervals. If you are living in a very large house on multiple floors, it is advisable to have a litter tray on every floor.

When you bring your adorable kittah home, place the kitten while still in the carrier in a suitable warm room where the kitten can be safely kept (at least) overnight. Let the kitten come out to explore in it’s own time. Make sure there is a litter tray in the room and that the kitten knows exactly where it is. The kitten’s room should also have a bowl of food and water kept a suitable distance from the litter tray. Cats are reluctant to use a litter tray that is too close to the cat’s food.

Remember-Let your new kitten come to you in it’s own time. It can take days or even weeks to establish a relationship with a kitten so please be patient. Kittens need time to bond with you and before long your new kitten will become your best friend. For the first few weeks, your kitten shouldn’t be allowed to roam your home unsupervised when you are not there. You should put your kitten back in their own room with their litter tray, food and water. Make sure your new kitten also has a comfortable bed or basket to sleep in with some toys to play with.

It may be worth considering obtaining two kittens if you will be out of the home for most of the day. This way they will always have a constant playmate and two cats can exercise each other far more effectively than you can. Please remember that your new kitten should be kept indoors at all times and shouldn’t be allowed outdoors until they are old enough to cope with outdoor life.

If your kittah isn’t already spayed/neutered when you bring him/her home, you can do so at the age of 8/10 wks. And 2 lbs. If you can, get a basic scratching post so your kittah can learn to play/use it.

If you do not want your kittah to sleep in bed with you, then you need make sure they have a bed of their own.

Good Luck and do let us know how you’re doing with your wittle bittah kittah!