What do I feed my new kitten?
Your kitten should be feed high quality kitten dry food and given a raw chicken wing or neck once or twice a week. Always make sure you kitten has access to fresh water.
We recommend the use of water fountains to provide clean moving water for your kitten to ensure that it has an adequate fluid intake.
We do not recommend feeding your kitten wet food in a can. This is expensive and causes unnecessary environmentally damage due to the energy and steel used in the manufacture of the tins.
What sort of treats can I give my new kitten?
Raw chicken wings and necks are a good idea. Fish heads and tails are quite acceptable. Never give them cooked bones as these can splinter and cause injury. Liver treats make an excellent reward for kittens.
What sort of toys should I give my new kitten?
Kittens are very inquisitive and love moving objects. Small balls and toys on a string or spring are good value. Kittens need a scratching pole to sharpen their claws on and climb and jump off. Play with your kitten by rolling a ball across the floor or pulling a toy along on a piece of string.
Where does my kitten go to the toilet?
Your kitten will need a litter tray. Cats will instinctively go to the toilet in an area where they can scratch around or bury their faeces. So they will use the litter tray with little or no training. A covered litter tray is a good idea to reduce the mess from scratching around. We recommend that you use the “Pussy’s Place” cat litter made from reject animal feed. This is because it can be recycled either through the council organic waste bin or as compost on your garden. Remove faeces with a poo scoop as soon as you notice them and put them out in the rubbish. Replace the litter when it is wet with urine.
What vaccinations does my kitten need?
Kittens are vaccinated for Feline enteritis, Feline respiratory disease (Cat flu) and Chlamydia at 8 and 12 weeks. Cat flu is the main disease we see in cats in this part of South Australia. Cat aids (Feline immunodeficiency virus) and heartworm are rare in cats in this part of South Australia.
When and why should I worm my new kitten?
Kittens should be wormed 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks with a gentle kitten worming syrup. The dose is worked out on the kittens weight. See the local veterinary nurse who will weigh your kitten, then advise you on how much and when to worm your kitten.
When should my kitten see the vet?
It is a good idea to get your kitten seen by a vet as soon as it arrives home. If it has a veterinary certificate, that will tell you when the next check and vaccination is due. Ear mites are very common in kittens in this part of South Australia.
Should I let my new kitten outside?
No. Cats should be confined in a house or outside run. It is no longer acceptable to allow your cat to roam freely because of the damage they do.
When do I get my new kitten desexed?
It is essential that your kitten is desexed and microchipped (If this hasn’t already been done) at 6 months of age. BEWARE: Cats breed like rabbits!