Expert Q&A: Getting a kitten
Q We’re getting a new kitten next week, how can we help her settle in?
It’s good you’re thinking ahead. Before she arrives, get together all the items you’ll need – a suitable bed, water bowl and so on. You could also look into insurance and arrange cover from the moment you collect your new pet.
When you first get her home, show her to her bed, and where her water bowl and litter trays are, then give her some quiet time to explore and gain confidence in her new surroundings. Of course, kittens love to play, so when she’s in the mood encourage her with balls, rattles and bouncy, dangling toys. This will help her settle in quickly and bond to you – just make sure they’re kitten safe.
Kittens also naturally love to scratch, so provide a scratching post and encourage her to use it. With luck, this will save your carpets and sofa.
You should get into the habit of keeping all chemical products out of reach, avoiding plants that are toxic to cats (look them up online – lilies are a definite no-no) and shutting cupboard doors. You will also need to keep the washing machine and dishwasher doors closed, and double-check them before turning them on.
Q We’re worried about how to litter train. Do you have any advice?
Kittens are naturally quicker than puppies at becoming fully toilet trained, but you can’t expect them to be perfect on day one. To help your kitten learn quickly, choose a tray with a low edge so they can easily get in and out. Ideally, you should provide a couple of trays placed in quiet areas. Keep them cleaned out with fresh litter – some cats are fussy about which litter they use, so try to provide the same litter they’ve used before.
Your kitten will probably need to go to the toilet when he first wakes, up and after food, so put him in or near the tray at these times, or when you see him scratching in a corner. If he does pee in the wrong place, clean it up with an enzymatic pet-safe cleaner. Don’t use one containing ammonia, as it can smell like urine and encourage him to use that place again!
Q When should I take my kitten to the vet?
You can take your kitten for a health Use a litter tray with low sides so your kitten can get in and out check when you first get her home. Your vet can check her weight against her age and make sure she’s a healthy size, as well as giving her a full clinical exam to make sure she appears well and is eating, drinking and going to the loo normally. This is a good moment to discuss flea and worming treatments, and if she’s old enough and healthy she could have her first vaccination at this visit. Your vet can also give you advice on neutering and microchipping.
Q Is it OK to groom him at such an early age?
It’s a great idea to get your kitten used to grooming early on. It can be hard to introduce brushing and grooming later in life but it’s important, especially with long-haired cats, or older ones that can no longer keep their coats in good condition. Make it a pleasant experience for your kitten by keeping sessions short, by using a soft kitten brush and rewarding him with a treat afterwards. Some people do a short session before feeding, so the kitten looks forward to being groomed, knowing that food is on the way.
Q What should I look out for when I first go to get my kitten?
When you go to visit the litter, look out for any obvious signs of illness, such as sneezing, sticky eyes or crusty noses.
The kittens should be bouncy and inquisitive. See how they interact with their mum, their litter mates and people they are familiar with – this will help to give you an idea about your kitten’s personality. If you get down on the floor with them, they may be slightly wary but shouldn’t be scared of you, and should want to interact with you. Once you’ve had a play with your kitten, you should be able to pick it up. A certain amount of wriggling is normal but it shouldn’t hiss or try to bite you.