Care guide for your kitten

So you've got a new member in the family? A fluffy bundle of joy that brings sunshines and rainbows with every purr? Having a new kitten is a very exciting time, but like any new parenting experience, it comes with its own set of challenges. Set yourself and your kitten up for success by preparing with all the right knowledge and products.

Feeding

Growing kittens need three times the amount of calories and nutrients as adult cats, so it’s important to get a food that is specifically designed for kittens or an All Life Stages cat diet. Luckily, there many great kitten foods available including wet food, dry food and NZ made food that has all been produced with your growing feline in mind.

There is also a range of healthy treats perfect for your young cat. These can be great for distracting them while at the vet, or simply just to have some bonding time between you and your feline.

Health

Kittens are commonly born with intestinal worms which they inherit from their mothers. Your new kitten will need to be wormed every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age. Then every month until 6 months of age, and then every 3 months for life. Ensure you are buying a good quality wormer that is the correct dosage for your kittens weight.

It is safe to begin treating your kitten for fleas from as young as 2 days of age, depending on the product. Bravecto Plus provides 3 months flea and tick protection for cats, plus a worm treatment. Bravecto Plus is safe to use from 9 weeks of age and treats cats for roundworm and lungworm infections. Bravecto Plus is also registered as a treatment for ear mites.

The vaccinations your kitten needs will depend on the lifestyle of your kitten, but in order to have full immunity kittens need to be vaccinated at the following ages:

6-8 weeks

10-12 weeks

14-16 weeks

This will protect your kitten from infectious and potentially fatal diseases including: Feline enteritis, Cat ‘Flu' and Chlamydia. Your vet will advise you which vaccinations your kitten needs and when. You can find out more on vaccinations here.

Toilet Training

You will want to begin toilet training your new kitten as soon as possible. It is important that you get a good quality litter tray as well as cat litter. If your kitten has previously been using litter with the breeder or rescue shelter, it can be a good idea to find out which brand they were using and stick to the same one. If you do want to change (e.g. from clay to crystals), this can be done gradually.

Accidents do happen and it is always a good idea to prepare with a quality, pet safe, odour and stain remover.

Cat Toys

Your new bundle of joy will be naturally inquisitive, and having a good selection of cat toys will keep them occupied (and potentially save your shoelaces, or the side of the sofa, from being destroyed). Feather toys, toys with bells, and catnip filled toys are all must haves. A laser pointer is also a fun way for you and your cat to play. Don’t forget to grab a scratching post or pad. Scratching is normal cat behaviour, and training them to use this will hopefully save any unwanted items in the home being destroyed.

Sleeping

Whilst a cat bed may not be considered a necessity, your kitten will be craving a comfortable and secure snoozing spot. Most cats love having a space of their own. There are a range of beds that your kitten may love including covered and soft beds giving your kitten safe place to hide away.

Grooming

Because of their soft, fluffier and shorter coats, grooming your kitten shouldn’t take you very long at all. It is a good idea to get your cat used to this from a young age to avoid any issues down the track. This will also help minimise any furballs. Short haired kittens do well with a soft bristled brush, while longer haired breeds may need a comb.

Dental Health

Nutrition can play a significant role in maintaining optimal dental health, so choosing the purrfect food for your kitten is the first step to healthy teeth and gums. Giving your kitten regular dental treats will also help to avoid any disease caused by poor dental hygiene. Now is the perfect time to get your kitten used to having their teeth brushed. This is going to be an important part of your cat’s ongoing dental health. Use a specifically designed toothpaste, and start by giving plenty of positive reinforcement with treats. Eventually, this should be an easy task that you do daily, or at least several times weekly, with your kitten.

If you have any questions about keeping your kitten happy and healthy, don't hesitate to reach out to one of our Customer Service Experts on 0800 200 240.