Although bringing a wonderful and very cute bundle of fluff (otherwise known as a kitten) in to your home is not only a joyous moment but a serious one too. Kittens, particularly from a very young age, need a lot of looking after; care, and attention.

Cats can live well in to their teens and some in to their early twenties, so looking after kittens – or cats – or taking responsibility for looking after one can certainly be a long-term exercise. As it is intended as such a long-term goal it’s important to try and account for as many eventualities as possible, one way to try and avoid and expect the unexpected is with a good level of cat insurance. Cat insurance policies are relatively low cost per month (some policies start from just a few pounds) but can come in very handy and is useful for general piece of mind.

During the Journey Home

A journey home for a kitten can be quite a nerving and daunting trip, quite obvious really especially as he or she is being taken away from any surroundings they have been used to in to a strange environment. Try to make the carriage as comfortable as possible.

Try talking softly and calmly to the kitten. During the journey you probably won’t see much affect but it is trying to keep the kitten used to a familiar voice during the journey and in to their new home for the first time. This can be useful for the kitten and the owner helping develop a very initial bond.

Home Sweet Home

After the journey and you’ve entered your threshold it is quite common for a kitten to want to explore their new surroundings. First though you may find some nervous behaviour and a tendency to hide whilst they get used to their new environment.

It’s important to not only create a welcoming home for your new kitten but a safe home too. Before you collect your kitten make sure you have taken a view of where you want him or her to have immediate access to, and are their any dangers in this area.

Somewhere warm and dry is where the kitten’s bed should be placed. Somewhere also safe so they do not have access to anything they shouldn’t whilst you are asleep…even plants and flowers can be toxic and poisonous so take proper cautions.

Vaccinations

Throughout the kittens early years it is important that they receive the right vaccinations during the right ages. This usually starts at around 8-9 weeks and then again 3 weeks later.

It is important to discuss which vaccinations are suitable and for what age with your vet.

Cat Insurance

When you are looking after kittens, things like insurance don’t immediately spring to mind. It’s easy to see why – there’s so many other things to plan and sort out. All very valid points but when you first buy a house or a car one of the first things you do is make sure you have the right insurance.

It’s certainly not mandatory to take out a cat insurance policy when you have your kitten but when you consider that some medical expenses can run in to the high hundreds or even thousands it can, often for just a few pounds per month, bring a little piece of mind in case you were taken aback by a huge medical bill.

Dinner Time!

Find out from the person you have bought your kitten from what type of food or diet the kitten is on. It’s wise to keep to provide them similar types of food to that they are used to for at least the first few days.

Kittens, as well as cats, need a very nutritional and balanced diet. They also need water (not milk or just milk which is a usual common perception).

When your kitten needs to go!

We are not considering for one second to get rid of your kitten, but if you see them scratching around or squat their back legs it’s usually a sign to get them to the nearest cat tray for a bit of toilet etiquette.

They can be as particular as everyday folk and want things to be just right which includes making sure their tray is cleaned regularly (kittens and cats will frown from using a dirty litter tray) and that it is of adequate size – another feline hate.

Try encouraging the kitten to go to the litter tray after eating or drinking – keep in the same place all the time to avoid any confusion and try and keep somewhere warm, dry, safe and away from their food bowls.