How to care for your kitten

Kittens are not hard to look after but they do have some special requirements.

What do I feed a kitten?

Kittens usually start eating solid food at around 4 weeks of age but still suckle on their mother. Ready made cat foods that can be bought in the supermarket usually contain a balanced diet for your cat or kitten. There are many brands to choose from and many manufacturers make specific kitten food. Cat food can be bought in cans, rolls, packets etc. Choosing premium brands is not always necessary but you can be assured of total cat nutrition if you stick to the big name brands. Check the packaging for wording such as 'Total nutritional requirements for cats and kittens'. Supplement your kitten's diet with chopped or minced fresh meat, fish or chicken but remember fresh meat or fish alone does not supply your kitten with all the nutrients it needs. Give you kitten a variety of foods changing what you give him regularly. Kittens can become very bored with same food day in day out and they may refuse to eat. It also helps guard against raising a fussy eater.

Throw away uneaten food. Don't put it back in the fridge to give the kitten later as it could be contaminated by bacteria.

Don't feed your kitten dog food as the nutritional requirements of dogs and cats are very different. For further information read this article: Cats are different, Kittens can begin eating dry cat food from an early age and most find it quite enjoyable. There are supermarket brands and there are brands that are only available from your vet or pet food store. The brands that are available from the vets are premium brands such as Hills and Eukanuba (which are scientifically formulated to meet recommendations of veterinarians and nutritionists.)Dry food can be left down for kittens to graze on throughout the day and night.

Water

Your kitten needs fresh water available at all times. Try not to use plastic bowls as they tip over easily. A heavy china, pottery or porcelain dish is preferable.

Should I give my kitten milk?

'DO NOT' give cats or kittens cow's milk as many kittens are lactose intolerant and it can cause tummy upsets and severe diarrhea. 
Specially formulated milk for cats and kittens is available from your supermarket. 
You certainly don't want your kitten to have diarrhea when you are trying to toilet train it.

Giving your kitten milk can cause upset tummies, cramps and severe diarrhea. Diarrhea can be deadly to kittens because it dehydrates their little bodies very quickly.Cats and kittens do not need to drink milk and can live their entire lives without having one lap of milk. Water is all they will ever need. If you really want to give them milk then you can purchase special kitten milk which is lactose free from your pet food store, vets or supermarket but they really don't need it.Most cats are lactose intolerant because they lack the enzyme 'lactase' which helps them digest lactose and take it into their blood stream. Lactose is the sugar found in milk. As undigested lactose passes through the kitten's digestive system it draws water from the intestines. Lactose cannot pass easily through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream, so it remains in the intestines. Soon, gut bacteria invade and fermentation sets in causing large amounts of gas to form. The result is pain and diarrhea for your kitten.Very young kittens and indeed all mammals produce the enzyme lactase when suckling from their mother but the ability to produce the enzyme diminishes after weaning

  Felix or Whiskas Milk is specially formulated for cats to offer a healthier alternative to cows milk. Not all cats are able to properly digest regular cows milk and thats why Felix or whiskas lactose reduced formula provides your cat with a tasty, healthier replacement which is also lower in fat.
However, give sparingly and not on a day to day basis, use only as a treat, I got some but neither of my cats would take it.

How often do I feed a new kitten?

Young kittens are like babies, they need to be fed several times a day up. Kittens younger than 6 weeks should still be with their mother and many breeders do not let kittens go to new homes until they are 10 -12 weeks old. 
As a rule of thumb kittens aged between 6 weeks and 12 weeks need four or more meals a day. 
Their stomachs are very small and they can't eat a lot at a time. 
At about 12 weeks they should be fed three times a day and by the time they reach 6 months they can then go on to twice daily feeding.

Of course the frequency of feeding depends on many factors including the lifestyle of the owner. A working owner will not be able to feed the kitten at such regular intervals as a stay at home carer and it is not always possible to leave food out for a kitten for a variety of reasons. One reason could be because of climate.
In hot summer months, it's not possible to leave moist cat food out all day as it will spoil and attract flies (which turn into magets). 
Ants are also a problem in some areas. Another reason could be that there may be other pets who will eat the food that was left out for the kitten.

For the owner who is not at home all day there are solutions to work around these problems such as, 
leaving dry food out on a permanent basis so the kitten can 'graze' as he wishes throughout the day. 

If a pet dog is likely to gobble the kitty food put it in a room such as bathroom or laundry with a child gate across.
The kitten can get through the gate but the dog cannot.

Where will my kitten sleep?

They find the most funniest positions to fall asleep!

You must provide your kitten with warmth. This is especially important in cold climates. Your kitten is used to snuggling up to his mother and litter mates for comfort and warmth. There are many different cat beds available in all forms and sizes and in a huge range of prices.  You don't have to spend a lot of money on a bed as your kitten will be perfectly happy in a cardboard box lined with a blanket, baby quilt or lambs wool cover. The important thing is that he has a warm place to sleep and cuddle up in. If the weather is really cold put a hot water bottle under his blanket. Try to make your kitten's bed snug. Cats and kittens love to curl up in snug areas.

Kittens are heat seekers and you are a good source of heat for them. That is why they love to curl up on your lap and they will seek you out in your bed not only for company but for warmth, no joke! Max is often in my daughters bed curled up fast asleep in the duvet.
If you don't want your cat sleeping in your bed for the rest of it's life, it is best to let your kitten know what you expect from him from the beginning.
Therefore keep the door closed. Put his bed in a quiet place away from busy areas and encourage him to sleep there and close your bedroom door when you go to bed.

On the other hand you may like your kitten to sleep with you and that's OK as long as you realise that he will probably share your bed for life. Cats are well known for their bed hogging abilities. They can have you clinging to the outer edge of your bed while they are comfortably sprawled out, full length occupying nine tenths of it. With a cat sharing your bed you may have no need for an alarm clock as they will diligently take over the responsibility of waking you in the morning with a friendly purr in your ear or a pat of a paw to your face. Of course, like all cats, they have their own best interests at heart and by waking you they hope to secure an early breakfast.

Should I get one kitten or two?

A kitten is a great pet and a wonderful source of endless companionship and entertainment for his owners. Two kittens double the pleasure of kitten ownership. They will romp and play together supplying you with hours of entertainment. It also takes the pressure off you having to keep up with their sometimes demanding constant playtime. When they are tired they will curl up and sleep together. If you work full time having two kittens keeping each other company can alleviate some of the guilt you feel by leaving them alone at home all day. Having two kittens also solves bedtime problems if you don't want to share your bed with them. They are more likely to be happy to snuggle up together in their own bed rather than yours. Kittens brought up together usually form a lifelong bond and as adults will enjoy each other's company.

Having said how wonderful it is to own two kittens it is just as acceptable to own just one. Your kitten will bond with you and offer you a life time of pleasure. Cats are solitary creatures by nature and do not crave companionship of other cats.
In fact it can be very difficult to introduce a new kitten into a household where an existing cat has already established itself. 

Introducing new kittens to other cats

So, you read somewhere that introducing a new kitten into your home could be great for your existing cat, for companionship. And you remember how much fun your cat was when she was a new kitten, and you would love to re-live those days.
It is generally thought that cats thrive better with the company of another feline, especially cats confined indoors. 
But before you rush off to your local cat shelter or breeder, here are a few tips to make bringing home a new kitten as stress free as possible.

Choose a time when your home is not too busy and you will have time to devote to your new kitty and your existing cat,
avoid holidays, for example, or other times when friends and family are likely to visit.
Before bringing home the new kitten, take her to your veterinarian to get her checked and vaccinated,
kittens have weak immune systems and are likely to pick up something at the shelter or cattery.
Consider adopting a cat of the opposite sex to your existing cat, this will avoid same sex rivalry and associated problems. 
For a number of reasons all your cats MUST be spayed/neutered.

If possible arrange to bath your new kitten at a friends house before you take it home, this will neutralize kitty's odor, 
and go some way to prevent unsettling your cat.

A short isolation period is necessary when introducing a new kitten. It would be ideal to have a separate room for the new kitten, 
your new little pet will need her own litter box, and food and water bowl. 
Some kittens will hide out under furniture for some days,( I know as my Misha did), they can hide in the smallest of places and gaps
you would not think of looking in, my Misha was found in the cupboard of the fish tank behind the pump, she was really cozy in there, 
the more adventurous ones will be eager to explore their new home almost straight away, 
Do not try and force kitty to leave the room, you will know when she is ready.

Allow your new kitten to explore around your home while your older cat is in another room.
Make the introduction, slowly, bit by bit, it is a good idea to let your existing cat sniff your new kitten's blanket a few times before they actually meet. Make the initial periods of contact short. Gradually increase the time that they spend together as they get used to one another. 
It is not unusual for there to be a few spats in these first meetings, so do not leave them alone together until they get on. 
If a fight does break out, distract the combatants and get them into separate rooms as soon as possible, never punish either cat.


The process of introducing a new kitten to an older cat, can often be relatively stress free and need not be full of problems. The key is in making the introduction slowly, and perhaps the best tip of all is to give your older cat just as much attention and affection as you give the newcomer.
Before you know it you will have two cats that thrive on each others company.

Litter Box Training. How to house train your kitten

Teaching your kitten to use a litter box is not difficult. Cats are instinctively clean and fastidious and toilet training your kitten to use a kitty litter box or to toilet outside is relatively simple. There are a few basic requirements such as a litter box and some kitty litter and a little time and patience. 

There are many different types of litter boxes but basically you need a litter-box that gives your kitten plenty of room to move around in and
also it must have sides that are low enough for your kitten to climb over. 

In an emergency you can improvise with something you have around the house such as a baking pan, a plastic container or a cut down cardboard box.
(make sure you line these with plastic liners for example with plastic garbage bags)

Kitty Litter

There are many commercial Cat Litters available and you should experiment and use what works best for you. Avoid scented litters. People may like the smell of scented kitty litter but many cats and kittens do not. You will have to strike a happy medium between the litter you prefer to use and the litter the kitten prefers to use.

Also avoid using clay clumping litter for young kittens as it can be dangerous, causing intestinal blockages if accidentally ingested.

In an emergency you can use shredded newspaper or soil or sand from your garden.

How to litter train your kitten

Firstly, do not allow your new kitten full run of the house. Try to contain him to the room you spend the most time in so you can watch him most of the time. Close all bedroom doors and barricade other areas that do not have doors.

Cats are fastidious animals and by instinct they prefer to bury their urine and faeces. Watch your kitten carefully and if you see signs that he is about to go pee or poop, gently pick him up without a fuss and without scaring him place him in the litter box. Take one of his paws and scratch the litter with it. Because he can dig in the litter his natural instincts should take over. If the kitten uses the litter box give him lots of praise. If he doesn't use it don't force the issue. You must never use a raised voice or make him afraid of the litter tray in any way.

Once your kitten has used the litter he leaves the smell of cat urine which will encourage him to come back next time. If he continues to have accidents try transferring some urine or faeces to the litter box so that the  smell of it encourages him to use the litter.Make sure the litter box is always clean. 

Cats and kittens do not like using heavily soiled litter boxes. Scoop out the hard bits frequently and change the litter daily. Thoroughly wash litter boxes once a week.

What are the signs kitty needs to toilet?

One of the signs that a kitten needs to eliminate is that he will begin scratching at the floor. He will often go to a corner, behind a couch or a quiet area. Be observant and watch your kitten's behaviour. Often a hurried departure from a game will indicate that he is hurrying off for a toilet break.

Kittens and Rough Play

Kittens play aggressively because that's what comes naturally to them. Many people get a kitten believing that they are sweet cuddly little pets but be aware they have their moments. Kittens can be all teeth and claws! You have to remember that kittens have an instinct to play rough. It is part of a normal kitten's development to play aggressively because they are learning the predatory skills that a cat in the wild would need to know for survival. On a reassuring note, most kittens grow out of the aggressive stage and grow into adorable, sweet natured cats who would never dream of biting or scratching you. 

Read more about aggressive kittens who bite and scratch

Vaccinations

Unless properly vaccinated, your cat runs the risk of contracting one of several, possibly fatal, infectious diseases. These include Infectious Enteritis (Panleucopenia), Leukaemia and ‘Cat Flu’ (Infectious Respiratory Disease).
The vaccination regime can vary in different vets so ask your vet about the right schedule for your kitten.

Parasites - Worms and Fleas

You need to keep your kitten free from worms and fleas. Fleas can make your pet very uncomfortable and a heavy infestation of fleas can kill a small kitten.
Parasitic worms such as tapeworm, roundworm and hookworms can make your kitten ill with symptoms such as weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting,
 loss of appetite,  poor coat condition and a pot bellied appearance.

How often do I worm my kitten?

Kittens 6 to 16 weeks of age should be wormed every three weeks.
From 4 months onward cats and kittens should be wormed every 3 months.
Usually you will need to treat kittens three times at 2 weeks apart and then every two months till they are 6 months old. From then on, worm every three to six months. Ask at your vets for suitable worming medication. Usually a consultation isn't necessary and they will sell worming medicine to you over the counter. Worming medicine comes in paste, top spot or tablet form.

Problems with fleas

Fleas can be a problem in especially in warm humid areas. 
As soon as you bring your kitten home you should deal with any fleas that he may have. 
If you don't address the issue immediately you could soon have a flea infestation on your pets and in your house. 
I personally use a flea zapper which is an electronic comb and does not hurt the kittens/cats.

Grooming your kitten

Cats will groom themselves or if you have 2 they can groom each other, sometimes they even groom the dog for him.
However, short-hair kittens require little more than a once a week brushing. Use a brush with soft bristles that will not harm the kitten's skin.
Use soft gentle strokes and make it enjoyable for the kitten. Longhair cats require a daily combing to avoid matting of the fur.
 I also have a Persian and boy does he ever need grooming. For this, I use a comb with wide-teeth that is specially designed for cats & a big soft towel! why a towel?
well his claws are sharp, therefore, I wrap him in a towel to help avoid those claws, I do usually clip his claws anyway at the same time. 
Brushing your cat's fur on a regular basis will help keep their coat shiny and healthy, and will also give the owner and the pet some bonding time together.

Hairballs

There's nothing quite like the glorious feeling of stepping out of your warm bed onto a cold, squishy, slimy hairball!
Perhaps we should feel flattered that our beloved feline companion has left a piece of her/himself as a special gift for us,
but frankly, most of us would rather bond with our cats another way!

Cats can develop hairballs. While an occasional hairball is no cause for alarm,
if your cat is vomiting up a hairball more than once or twice a month,
it's time to think about a plan of action.

Prevention of Hairballs in cats

Prevention, as they say, is worth a pound of cure. Frequent combing is often all it takes to resolve the problem. But brushing won't do. 
Brushes tend to slide over the surface of the fur and don't get all the dead hair out. For short haired cats, a fine-toothed flea comb is best. 
Longer hair may require a wide-toothed comb, or one with revolving teeth to prevent tearing out the hair.

Many hairball-plagued cats will try to self-medicate by eating grass or plants. The coarse plant fibers will cause the cat to vomit, and hopefully, the irritating hair will come up as well. Not all grass-loving cats have hairballs, however. You need to carefully observe your cat so you can accurately report the situation to your veterinarian. 

Fibre is relatively easy to add to the diet. There are a lot of hairball control cat foods and treats out there. How do they work? 
The general idea is that the higher fiber content will help hair pass through the gastrointestinal tract, 
out the other end, and into the kitty litter box where it belongs. 
Many hairball diet foods contain powdered cellulose and other fibers like beet pulp, while hairball treats can contain mineral oil, 
a laxative that works much like petroleum jelly products in helping "slide" undigested hair through the intestines.

Many cat lovers who prepare homemade diets for their feline companions say that hairballs are much less of a problem. The cat actually has little, if any, physiological need for fiber, and it does make sense to feed what nature intended the cat to eat: meat, fat, a few organs,
a little bit of vegetable matter — and, of course, hair!
I prefer to just brush the cats often and sometimes give them some fish like sardines or tuna in oil, along with Go-Cat Complete for indoor cats.

So don't despair; with just a little effort, soon it will once again be safe to get out of bed!

Neutering and Spaying

It is strongly recommended that you have your kitten neutered or spayed. Un-castrated male cats will roam, get in fights and spray pungent smelling urine around the place and believe me it smells nasty. They are prone to injuries and abscesses from cat fights incurring veterinary expenses for you.

Female cats can come into season as early as four months of age. Female cats that have not been spayed come into heat every few weeks. When they are in heat they can be very noisy and try to escape at every opportunity. They are at risk of picking up serious life threatening infectious diseases from mating with unknown cats.

I wouldn't mind my cat having kittens,
shall I just let her out while she is in heat?

If you let your female cat out while she is in heat,
you risk her catching a number of diseases,
from contact with any unknown male cats and multiple fathers. 
Some of these diseases can cause death. It's not worth the risk.
Spaying or neutering your cat will take it's mind off reproducing and make it a far better, affectionate pet for you.

How long will my cat be in heat?

Oestrus usually last for between 7 to 10 days.

How often will my cat be in heat?

Unless your cat mates she will continue to come into heat every 2 to 3 weeks.

If a cat calls many times without a pregnancy there are associated health risks. 

A intact female cat that has never been bred has a high risk of developing cancer of the reproductive organs or 

developing pyometra which is a life threatening infection of the uterus.

How can I prevent my cat coming into heat?

Oestrus can easily be prevented by having your female cat spayed before 6 months of age or at the age your vet recommends.
You must avoid unwanted pregnancies by keeping her inside away from male cats.
It's not too late to take her to the vet to get spayed (de-sexed) although some vets charge more for spaying a cat which is in season.

What are the signs that my female cat is in heat?

Any or all of the signs below may be an indication that your cat is in heat.

• Your cat becomes more affectionate than usual

• Your cat rolls around the floor

• Your cat carries her tail to one side.

• Your cat becomes very vocal and meows a lot. (This is where the term 'Calling' comes from) 

This vocalization can become very noisy with loud yowls day and night. Her voice may become more piercing than usual.

Believe me it can get very loud, with barks and chirping noises and yowling which is piercing.

• Your cat assumes a position with her front quarters on the ground and her bottom pointing in the air.

• Your cat's hind legs may 'tread'

• Your cat licks her vulva area more than usual

• Your cat rubs her face up against you or furniture more often than usual.

• If you pat your cat on her back near her tail your cat will raise her bottom in the air and may begin 'treading' with her hind feet.

• If she is a cat who is usually kept inside she will be desperate to get outside, waiting for any opportunity to escape.

Do only male cats spray?

No, all cats, male or female, neutered or not, may spray, however, urine marking is most common in un-neutered male cats. It is not usual for female cats to spray, but it can happen if she is in heat and leaving her scent to attract a male cat. It can also be a problem when there is overcrowding  of cats in a household.Urine marking is a communication system for cats. Cat urine contains pheromones which are chemical substances that tell other cats certain messages. Spraying is a common component of cat behavior during the mating season with males and females communicating their availability with their pheromones. The male cat will also mark his territory, letting other male cats know that these are the boundaries and this area belongs to him.

When an intact male sprays urine, it will have the characteristic tom cat smell that is very strong and unmistakable. 

Un-neutered male cats will usually start urine spraying behavior once they reach sexual maturity. The age at which a tom cat sexually matures can vary greatly but in general it occurs between 5 and 12 months. Many factors can affect at which age a male cat starts spraying. Male cats in multi-cat households or in close proximity to other cats are more likely to spray at a younger age. 

Spraying is territorial and can also be stress related. Castration of males or spaying of females can reduce the cat’s motivation for spraying.
Neutering or spaying a kitten at an early age can prevent spraying problems in the future. 
Your vet will advise you on the best age to neuter your kitten.

Note

With all the unwanted cats and kittens that are euthanised in the world today,
 there is no need to bring more of them into the world.
Be responsible.

Male cats are usually castrated at six months of age and females can be spayed at four months.
Some vets neuter or spay kittens at a much younger age.

Most of all

Love your kitten

Love your kitten and treat it well. 

Give it plenty of kindness and affection and you will be rewarded with a loyal companion for many years to come.

Aggressive kittens who  bites & scratch

Kitten news     Kitten Information    Gallery  Links   Colours

Bengals as pets   About us    Contact us    Home page