Kitten Advice

We have assembled some wonderful advice and guidance to help provide you with some tips on socialising your kitten, as we want all our kittens to have a happy and healthy start in life.

The effectiveness of socialisation provided to your kitten will be affected by their underlying personality type, genetic make-up and environmental influences. Therefore, we have a big role as parents, to give our kittens positive experiences of both humans and the world around them so that they can live their lives as happy pets.

The most influential age of kittens will be between 2-7 weeks, you have probably already got your kitten by then. However, our job doesn’t stop as kittens are constantly learning, so don’t let this deter you!

Getting your cat used to the carrier

We tend to see a lot of adult cats arrive at the clinic who are nervous and anxious about being placed in their cat carrier for transport, which is not only very stressful for the cat and the owner, but also makes the examination more challenging for both pet and staff when they arrive. This is another area where if we can introduce this experience at a young age in a calm and positive way they can learn that it is a safe space to be in and travel happily.

Here are some things we would advise when buying a cat carrier:

• It should be big enough for your cat the lay down comfortably and adjust their position. The carrier you are buying needs to also be big enough for when they grow.
• Get a carrier that have an opening at the top – this is really useful for getting cats in and out of the carrier both at home and at the vets.
• Get a carrier that allows for the entire top section to be removed – again this is really useful when creating a safe space at the vets for handling and examining your cat.
• Ensure it is strong and sturdy, we would advise getting a plastic or metal carrier over a fabric carrier. They are also more hygienic in the event of any accidents.

Cat carrier training:

• Have the carrier accessible to your cat at all times, to begin with leave it out for them to explore.
• Place a familiar bed or a blanket in the carrier (should they not be keen to begin with, leave the bedding outside, but gradually move it closer overtime until it is sitting inside).
• Utilise pheromone and calming sprays when cat carrier training, you can also utilise treats for a positive experience as well inside the carrier.
• Once they are settled and comfortable with the carrier, get them used to your presence when they are inside the carrier.
• The next steps would be to try closing the door of the carrier when the cat is inside, picking up the carrier and moving around with them in it.

Ensure all these steps are carried out gradually and are not rushed, there are lots of resources online with advise on carrier training. Feel free to reach out and speak to our nursing team on 01206 851338 for any advice.

Microchipping your cat

Legislation changes in 2024 making it compulsory for all cats to be microchipped. Kittens must be microchipped by the time they are 5 months of age.

We recommend getting your kitten microchipped at the time of neutering, it is included as part of our Pet Health Club, so there is no additional fee to have this done on the day.

Neutering your cat

We advise getting your kitten neutered before they go into the big wide world and especially if you have two kittens of the opposite sex. We generally would book a kitten in to be neutered from 4 months of age.

The benefits of neutering:

• reduces the likelihood of spraying and inappropriate toiletting
• reduces calling and wailing (this can often be due to hormones)
• reduces the incident of fighting, subsequent contraction of FIV and spread of the disease
• reduces the likelihood of cats roaming, getting injured of lost
• prevents unwanted litters
• supports population control of cats

The operation is a an outpatient procedure, they will go home the same day with some pain relief to be administered and will be seen back for a post op check up up to a week later. If you wanted to have a chat with our nursing team about the pros and cons of getting your kitten neutering, discuss any concerns, or look to getting them booked in call us at the clinic on 01206 851338.

Settling your kitten into their new home

Litter trays

Your kitten will likely come to you already litter trained. Ensure you have at least one litter tray per cat in your household, plus one more. Cats can be particular about the preference on location and type of litter substrate. They should be positioned away from their food and water bowls, busy thoroughfare, child access and noise. Use the same litter substrate your kitten is used to initially.

High Places

Cats are natural climbers and will feel safe resting and watching over their surroundings high up. They are multiple ways this can be mimicked in your home; cat trees and towers, wardrobes, radiator beds and shelving.

Suitable kitten play

Playing with your kitten is a great way to bond and encourage the expression of natural behaviors and the great thing is, they need not be expensive. Providing toys for scratching and that mimic hunting are great ways of allowing them to do this. Play isn’t just for when you have a kitten, toys can be used for enrichment throughout your cats life.

Suitable play toys:

• Kickeroo toys
• Wand toys
• Scratch posts
• Puzzle feeders

We would advise against laser pointers, although they may look fun, cats can become frustrated by not being able to catch something physical. In addition to this, avoid ‘hand play’ with your kitten, otherwise they will soon learn that hands and feet are play toys. As kittens grow, so do their claws and teeth, what was fun and games when they were younger, is likely to cause damage and some pain!

Insurance

Whether your kitten is already insured or you’re considering pet insurance for the first time, we know that pet insurance can be a bit confusing.  Here are some key points to consider to ensure it is there for you and your cat when they need it most:

It is really important to have insurance that covers a condition “for life”

We advise lifelong cover, your pet will then be covered for a condition throughout their life, an excess would likely be paid each year, but the monetary cover for the condition would be refreshed each policy year.

Some insurance policies offer cover for conditions only for 12 months, therefore if your pet has a ‘lifelong’ condition, such as diabetes or arthritis, they will only be covered for a year, after that it would be classed as pre-existing and is no longer covered. Another type of policy is only covering a condition until the monetary limit has been reached, this may take 6 months, it may take 2 years, but once that monetary limit has been reached it would be classed as pre-existing and no longer covered.

Check what you are covered for?

Dental treatment – For some dental claims to be covered, regular teeth checks need to have been performed by your vets, regular yearly vaccinations help with this. Furthermore, if dental treatment is advised, then this may need to be carried out in a timely manner, for example within 6 months of it being advised. You may presume you are covered, but some insurance companies exclude any treatment related to your pet’s gums.

Consider the limit amount conditions are covered for

Ideally you want your pet to be covered for at least £6000 – £8000 per condition per year. But obviously the more the better. Some insurance companies will offer cover for up to £12,000 and more.

Don’t shop around

Shopping around each year for the cheapest premium isn’t the most cost effective or efficient way to manage pet insurance. Many of us, staff here included, are used to shopping around every year for the cheapest car or home insurance quote on comparison websites. However, doing this with pet insurance is problematic. When you switch providers most policies have a clause that prevents them from covering any pre-existing issues. Therefore any prior issues your cat had can be classed as pre-existing and may not be covered.