A new kitten means a special commitment from you
Everybody’s heart melts at the sight of a new kitten. But that adorable bundle of fluff you’re bringing home is going to need looking after for life. Giving your kitten a good start in life is the best way to make sure you’ll both enjoy many years of fun together. During those early, vulnerable months you’ll need to give lots of care and attention to help your kitten settle smoothly into life with you and your family.
Home sweet home?
Naturally, you’re familiar with your home surroundings but to your new kitten it can be a bit scary. Many kittens will find that first move a stressful experience. So you need to do all you can to make them feel at home.
Firstly, don’t rush into introducing your new pet to other members of the household, people or pets (read more about socialisation). Give your kitten time to get used to their new surroundings. It’s also important to show your kitten where food bowls, litter box and the bed are.
A snug, safe haven
During those early days, your new kitten will find things a little strange, and sometimes overwhelming. When things do get too much, there’s nothing more secure and welcoming as a safe, cosy bed. You could buy a bed from a pet shop, or you could even use a strong cardboard box. Above all, it needs to be warm and comfortable, dry and away from draughts. The bedding you use should be soft and snugly. The first few nights with you will be the first time they’ve been away from their mother and brothers and sisters. Kittens soon get used to sleeping alone, but to begin with you could put a warm hot water bottle under the bedding to remind them of the warmth of the litter.
Tasty Tips
You've heard of 'baby proofing' a home, now let's talk about 'kitten proofing' one
You’re bound to want to make your home as safe as possible for your precious new kitten. Here are a few tips:
Windows need to be kept closed so your kitten can't fall out or escape.
If you have open fireplaces, where your kitten could gain access to the chimney, block them up.
Hide all electrical cabling. Your kitten might try to chew through it.
Make sure you don't have any houseplants that are potentially dangerous to your kitten. Lilies, poinsettias and cyclamens are all poisonous.
Food for thought
Choosing a kitten food is a big responsibility. After all, it’s what will help them grow and develop to their full potential. To help your kitten feel secure, it’s best not to change their diet straight away. Find out what your kitten has been eating before you became their new owner, and feed the same food. Then, if you do decide on a new food, mix it with their usual food until the changeover is complete. You should take 5 to 7 days to get your kitten used to a new food. Whatever you're feeding, remember, little and often is the order of the day to begin with - kittens aged from eight to twelve weeks need four meals a day, three meals from three to six months, and two over six months old.
By far the easiest and most successful way to ensure your growing kitten is getting a healthy balanced diet is to feed a complete premium food for kittens. There are two types of complete foods available, dry or wet. With dry food, your kitten can visit their food bowl as often as they like throughout the day. Wet foods in cans or pouches, on the other hand, are likely to lose their freshness quickly once in the bowl, so need to be given as separate meals throughout the day.
Just like our food, not all kitten foods offer the same quality and value for money. Make sure you check the ingredients list, or better still, ask your vet for advice. A good food should provide all the nutrients essential for a growing kitten to become a healthy cat. Click here for information on Hill's kitten food
Believe it or not, we wouldn't recommend giving milk to your new kitten; given in large quantities it can cause diarrhoea. Instead, clean, fresh water should be available at all times. If you do want to treat your kitten to something else, there are special kitten milks you can buy.
Related products
Senior Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Senior Cat Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
This food supports healthy aging during the golden years. Contains a special ingredient blend to help keep older cats agile, more alert & interactive.
Urinary Health Adult Cat Food with Chicken
Hill's Science Plan Urinary Health Adult Cat Food with Chicken supports the health of the whole urinary system. Suitable for sterilised cats.
Sterilised Mature Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Sterilised Cat Mature Adult Cat Food with Chicken is specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology. It is a precisely balanced nutrition tailored to meet the needs of mature adult sterilised cats, ages 7+, and to promote graceful ageing.
Oral Care Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Oral Care Adult Cat Food with Chicken contains clinically proven kibble technology to reduce plaque & tartar build up.
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Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.