Kitten Awareness Month

The Cat Vet is celebrating Kitten Awareness throughout the month of January. If you brought home a new kitten in December, the following information may provide helpful insight on how to raise him or her while ensuring the safest and healthiest environment.

• Always keep in mind that a kitten should be with her mother and siblings for the first 8 to 12 weeks after birth, as this is an essential period for health and socialisation. Not doing so could possibly create issues in long-term development.
• The beginning of the weekend is practically the best time to bring a kitten home if you are a working person. This way, you can have two days in hand to get to know each other.
• Once you have brought the kitten home (ideally no earlier than 8 weeks after birth), you should find a vet as soon as possible. Your vet will play a crucial role in guiding you through everything your new kitten will need to ensure proper health and care during her first year.
• If your home is a busy environment, give your new kitten a cosy and calm private space for the first few days. Keep some toys, food, water and a litter tray in the space.
• Be prepared to commit to playing and spending time with your kitten for extended periods on a daily basis. The more time you spend with your kitten, the easier it will be for you to notice any unusual behaviour early on and see the vet promptly.
• Create a comfortable private space where your kitten can safely hide for some alone time when needed.
• Keep your kitten indoors until she is fully vaccinated.
• Remove small objects/toys and toxic plants.
• Keep entrances, windows, and balcony doors closed to prevent fatal falls.
• Keep household cleaning products out of reach.
• Cats and children can be great friends as long as adults set clear ground rules to ensure the kitten is not scared or uncomfortable and doesn’t feel the need to defend herself/himself.
• If your new kitten is very shy and nervous, teach your children to lie down and wait for the kitten to approach them first.
• When introducing your new kitten to an already existing resident pet, keep them separate at first and let them get to know each other gradually. Close supervision is crucial until they accept each other. This process may require a significant amount of your patience.
• Book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible if the following happens (DO NOT wait or monitor your kitten hoping for improvement)—no eating or drinking for more than 24 hours, lethargic, weak, dull or seems depressed. Appearing to have difficulty breathing or coughing continuously. Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea. Sudden difficulty with balance. Unable or straining to urinate or defecate. Seems to be in discomfort or pain.
• You may be tempted to buy budget-friendly food for your new kitten, but how you feed them in the first year will impact their overall health in the future. Allow your kitten access to good quality kitten food and, of course, fresh water throughout the day. Food that is specifically targeted for kittens is essential, as they will receive the adequate amount of nutrients they need to grow.

At The Cat Vet, in addition to medical staff who are always available to answer and assist with any questions regarding your new kitten, we are currently handing out kitten starter packs from Purina Pro Plan to aid with a healthy and nutrient-filled beginning stage of your kitten’s life throughout the month of January.

For any questions or to collect a free kitten starter kit to ensure a healthy start for your little one, please feel free to call us at 800CATVET or stop by at any time!