Kittens
General Healthcare
Litter training tips
Cats are naturally clean, and your kitten will probably be litter trained when you bring them home. Just provide a litter tray, with a good, diggable layer of litter, somewhere quiet and away from their food, water and bed, cats will generally refuse to toilet near their eating or sleeping places.
If your kitten isn’t totally litter trained when you bring them home, encourage them to use the tray by placing them in it immediately after they’ve eaten and when they wake up. Praise them when they use it.
Often cats will not use their tray if it’s dirty and smelly. Use a litter scoop to remove solid waste as soon as possible, and change the litter at least on a weekly basis.
Give your kitten the type of litter it’s used to when you first bring them home. If you want to use a different type later, mix a little more of the new litter in with the old kind each time you clean the tray, until you are using only the new brand.
Some possible reasons and tips for unwanted spraying and soiling problems:
Something has frightened them while they are toileting outside. Provide a litter tray near the back door, and each day move it a little closer to the door as her confidence returns, until finally you can move it outside.
Your cat may stop using an indoor litter tray after a ‘bad experience’, such as another pet cornering them there, or something frightening them. Provide another tray somewhere quiet, preferably where they only have to keep watch in one direction. Alternatively, try a covered litter tray, or place a large cardboard box with a hole cut in it over an ordinary litter tray.
Place the litter tray well away from where her they eat, as cats hate soiling near their feeding area. Ensure the litter tray is clean and fresh.
Some cats prefer their own litter tray; so try to provide one for each cat in the household, and ideally one extra.
Changing the type of litter can cause problems. Make any changes gradually. Some cats dislike scented or coarse grain litters.
Diet
Kittens tummies can be sensitive and so if you know what diet your kitten is already on, you should continue with this for a few days and if you want to change onto a different diet introduce this gradually over a week or so.
Kittens grow quickly, so they have high requirements for energy, animal protein and fat, along with certain vitamins and minerals, in an easily digestible form. The best way of ensuring that your kitten receives a balanced diet suitable for her age is to feed her a good quality complete kitten food.
Do not give your kitten milk as this can cause diarrhoea.
Letting your kitten outside
If you have decided to let your kitten have access to the outdoors, there are some things to consider beforehand. We would recommend they are kept indoors until they are neutered at around six months, partly due to their age and maturity, and partly to avoid unexpected and unwanted pregnancies. Cats must be microchipped, and we recommend they are fully vaccinated. Consideration should also be given as to whether you need a cat flap and whether you intend to keep your cat in overnight, many cat flaps can be programmed to help with this. Get your kitten used to being called by name or using food or a bell so they are more likely to come home to these sounds.
When you are ready to let your kitten explore, pick a dry day when you are at home to supervise. It is best to let them out when they are hungry rather than just after food as they are more likely to return sooner. Initially let them out for short periods and then bring them indoors and feed them or give a treat. These periods can then gradually be extended.
Travelling with your kitten
Get your kitten used to their carrier in advance of any travel. if you leave the carrier open at home, let them play inside and perhaps give them treats there, hopefully they won’t be reluctant to go in when you need to make a journey.
Line the carrier with newspaper (In case she is sick or urinates) and a familiar blanket. During the journey, the carrier should be strapped into the car in case the vehicle stops suddenly.
Some cats get very distressed when they travel. If yours is one of them, your vet may prescribe special veterinary anti-anxiety medication for her. Only use the medication supplied by your vet, and give only as directed.
