There is nothing better than having a new kitten in the house! That being said, kittens can be a lot of work and the first few weeks of your kittens life are a crucial time in its physical and behavioral development. It’s not uncommon for new kitten owners to feel overwhelmed so to help you out, we’ve make a new kitten checklist to help make the first weeks as easy as possible.
Complimentary health checks
Vets in Endeavour Hills is pleased to offer complimentary health checks for new kittens that are not yet due for their 2nd vaccination. This can allow early peace of mind that your new furry friend is happy and healthy, and that you are addressing all of their needs as early as possible. It can also give you an opportunity to discuss any questions you may have regarding their health care with one of our friendly vets.
Bringing them home
After ‘pass the kitten’ has finished and everyone has had a chance to have the new family member on their lap, its time to set up his or her bedroom.
Start your kitten off in one of the smaller rooms of the house. Once they are comfortable in there, you can give them more and more ‘free range’. This is also an important time to establish rules of where the kitten can and cannot go. If the adult cat is not going to be allowed in the bedrooms then don’t let the kitten get used to going in there either!
You kitten’s bedroom needs to be welcoming and comfortable – a nice toy, a ticking clock and a piece of fabric or toy with your kittens previous home and mum’s smell on it will help them feel at home.
What do I feed them?
Start off feeding your kitten the SAME food he or she was fed before she came to your home. Keep things simple and consistent and only make changes to your pet’s diet after a week or two. A good quality commercial dry food is just what the doctor ordered in addition to access to good quality lean meat protein. Tinned or canned food should only be provided as a treat and NOT on a daily basis.
Once your kitten starts teething (at 4 months of age) make sure you are providing them with something to chew. 80% of adult cats over the age of three have dental disease. Getting your kitten chewing on tough pieces of raw meat or even raw chicken necks is an easy way to prevent future dental issues.
Toilet training…help!!
Luckily for us cat owners, most kittens come to their new homes already toilet trained. Phew!
However, for those kittens that need a little helping hand, the key to toilet training a kitten is keeping them in a small space. Kittens often get confused with all the new smells around and all the places to hide! Having your kitten in a small room with his or her bed, bowls and a litter tray will have your kitten toilet trained within a few days.
Health care
A quick trip to your trusted vet needs to be on the to do list for week one of kitten ownership. It is here you will get all the advice you need, tailored to you and your new pet’s needs. Generally, kittens will visit the vet a few times in the first few months for all their vaccinations, worming as well as their de-sexing procedure, which is performed at our practice between 3-6 months of age.
