• How do I prepare my home for my kitten?
• Kitten check list
• Settling in your kitten
• Your kitten's health
• Feeding your kitten
• Toilet training your kitten

Bringing home an adorable new kitten is one of life's pleasures and we have a great guide to help you make it stress free and smooth.

How do I prepare my home for my kitten?

Before your kitten arrives you need to kitten proof your home!  Just like any toddler there are certain things you need to put out of reach and make safe.

• Make sure all doors and windows are closed.
• Keep all trailing electrical cables out of reach of little teeth.
• Breakable ornaments should be moved well out of the way.
• Move all house plants out of reach as some of them can be poisonous if eaten.
• Kittens are very inquisitive and will crawl into small places so keep all cupboards, oven, fridge, drawers and washing machine doors closed.  
• Keep the kitchen clear of hazards – don't let your kitten have access to bin bags or plastic shopping bags.
• Place a guard round an open fire.
• Close toilet lids so your kitten won't fall in or learn to drink from the bowl!

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Kitten check list

You'll find a handy shopping list below of everything you need to consider buying for your new kitten, and of course, all of it is available at Petstop!

• Kitten Bed
• Litter Tray, Cat Litter, Scoop and Hygiene Products
• Cat Carrier
• Kitten Food and Treats
• Kitten Food and Water Bowls
• Scratching Post
• Kitten Grooming Brushes and Combs
• Kitten Toys
• Kitten Flea and Worming Treatments
• Cat Flap

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Settling in your kitten

What Sort Of Kitten Bed?

Your kitten will want a warm, quiet cosy corner to settle into.  It's a big change for her when she leaves her Mum and she will want to feel safe and secure.  

• Your kitten's bed should be nice and comfortable and in a secluded, draught free spot.  Kittens love warmth and there are heat pads, radiator beds and igloo beds to choose from should she feel cold.  Don't be tempted to buy a bed that is too roomy for you kitten as they prefer to sleep curled up in snug areas.  A washable bed is best for cleanliness.

• View our cat Products section for our wide range of kitten beds and heat pads

What Sort Of Food And Water Bowls?

Food and water bowls should be kitten sized!  If her bowls are too big she could find difficulty in using them without getting messy – and cats hate mess!

• Visit our cat Products section for suitable kitten accessories

What Sort Of Kitten Collars and Cat Flaps?

Once your kitten is over 6 months old she can wear a collar.  Make sure her collar fits properly – you should be able to get one or two fingers under the collar.  Collars can be used to carry a key to a magnetic or infra-red cat flap which will only allow her to pass, blocking other cat intruders.  Be aware that collars can be dangerous as they can easily get hooked on a tree branch and in some cases trap the kitten's front leg if she attempts to get it off.  'Snap open' collars will reduce the likelihood of your kitten becoming entangled should a problem occur. You may also want to put an ID tag on her collar.  Better still why not have your kitten micro-chipped? 

• Visit our cat Products section for suitable and safe kitten collars and cat flaps
• Call Vet Clinic at Petstop for a consultation.

Grooming your kitten

Accustom your kitten to being groomed, especially if she is long haired – it's good for her coat but it's also a special time you can spend together building trust and bonding.

• To learn more about grooming your kitten visit our cat Grooming Advice.
• View our grooming accessories in our Products section.
• If you would like to arrange grooming for your cat visit Pet Parlour at Petstop to make an appointment for a no-obligation, free consultation with our expert Groomer.

Kitten Toys

Don't forget to buy some toys for your kitten!  A scratch post is ideal for encouraging your kitten to exercise and not to claw your furniture and cat climbing trees are useful if your kitten likes to climb the curtains.  Make sure you choose safe toys that are made expressly for kittens as homemade toys can be dangerous – kittens can choke on bits of string or wool.

• Visit our cat Playtime Advice for some good tips on playing with your kitten.
• View our cat Products section for our range of safe kitten toys.

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Your kitten's health

Healthy kittens are happy kittens so once your kitten is settled in at home you should register with a vet to have a kitten health check.

• Call Vet Clinic at Petstop for a consultation.
• When your kitten is about 8 weeks old you should have them vaccinated by your vet.  They have two sets of vaccinations; the second one is 3 – 4 weeks after the first.  Immunity is effective 7-10 days after the second vaccination so they should be kept inside until then.  
• Boosters are given twelve months after the starter course and your vet will tell you when they are next due.
• View our cat Health and Vaccinations Advice to learn more
• You will need to keep your kitten free from worms and fleas. There are several treatments available to protect your kitten but always make sure they are suitable for kittens as adult ones are too strong.
• View our cat Health and Vaccinations Advice to learn more about fleas and worming
• Visit our cat Products section for flea and worm treatments

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Feeding your kitten

Choose a quiet place in the house to feed your kitten where she can eat undisturbed.  If you don't have a floor surface that can easily be cleaned there are feeding mats available so that you can protect your carpets.

Kittens need kitten food so you shouldn't feed them adult cat foods as they will get tummy upsets.  Your kitten should always have clean fresh water available in a bowl and you can also treat her to kitten milk (do not give your kitten cow's milk as it can cause diarrhea). Kittens have little stomachs so feed them little and often.  How much you feed depends on their age, size, breed and general health.  We have a rough guide in the table below:

• Certain manufacturers make kitten foods for specific breeds but if you are not sure how much or how often to feed your breed of kitten, ask your vet for advice.

• View our cat Feeding Advice to learn more

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Toilet training your kitten

Most kittens are toilet trained by the time you bring them home as they learn to use a litter tray by copying their mother.

• Place the litter tray in a quiet secluded spot that has easy access and is away from your kitten's food and water.
• To help train your kitten gently place them in the tray after they eat, when they wake from sleep and if you see them sniff, scratch, or crouch in a corner. 
• If you are pregnant, never handle soiled litter because of the risk of toxoplasmosis.
• View our cat Training Advice to learn more
• Visit our cat Products section for our selection of cat litter and hygiene products

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