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New Kitten Advice

Our advice to giving your kitten a healthy start

We can provide everything you need to give your new kitten the best healthy start, from vaccinations to prevent potentially serious feline diseases, to neutering and microchipping.

We have years of experience with kittens and can offer you practical advice on how to make your new bundle of joy feel right at home. Read on to find out what should be happening in your kitten’s first few months and the important things you need to remember as a new kitten owner such as preparing your home and garden for their arrival, getting your kitten’s health checked by a vet and more.

The best start for your kitten

Register your Kitten

Register your Kitten

Give your kitten the best start by registering with one of our practices

Kittens do a lot of growing in their first year, up to 40 times their size in fact, that’s why it’s so important to give them the best healthy start.

The right nutrition, preventative healthcare, environment, playmates and experiences will all affect how your kitten develops. Register your new kitten with us and book them in for their vaccination, and they’ll also receive a top-to-tail vet health check and weigh-in.

Your Kitten’s First Consult includes:

  • Vet health check
  • Weigh-in
  • Healthcare advice
  • Kitten ownership booklet

You will also have access to Nurse appointments to check your kitten’s weight and apply flea & worming treatments (treatments not included).

Get Gold Standard Healthcare for your kitten from only £15.99 per month*

 

Benefits include monthly flea & worm treatments, 6-month health & dental nurse check-ups, annual vaccinations & vet check, plus a range of extra benefits and discounts. Easy monthly payments save you money and give you peace of mind that your new best friend is getting the care and attention they deserve.

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Your Kitten's First Few Months

  • 0 - 6 weeks
    Kittens are growing fast and taking lots of nutrients from their mother’s milk and learning the basics of ‘how to be a cat’ from their mother and siblings. By week 2, their eyes are beginning to open, and by the end of week 4 their sense of smell is fully mature.

  • 4 - 6 weeks
    Kittens are weaned off their mother’s milk and are becoming very adventurous. By week 5, their sight is fully developed.

  • 6 - 8 weeks
    By 8 weeks old, kittens should have all their baby teeth and are ready to leave their mother and venture to their new home. Your kitten should be given flea and worming treatments and ideally their first round of vaccinations before leaving the breeder.

  • 8 - 12 weeks
    Kittens should have had 2 rounds of vaccinations by the time they are 12 weeks old. Whenever you bring your kitten in for a vaccination with one of our vets they will receive a full health check. Now is a good time to get your kitten microchipped.

  • 4 months
    At around 4 months old, your kitten’s adult teeth will begin to develop and they will start to lose their baby teeth. You must keep up with the recommended level of flea and worm protection, ask our team for more information.

  • 6 months
    It’s time to think about neutering your kitten. Talk to a member of our team or read about the many benefits of neutering.

Important things to remember...

Collecting your Kitten

When you pick up your new kitten and bring it home, we would recommend you register them with a vet practice and that they have a full health check to ensure that they are growing and developing nicely. You should at this point book your kitten in for their vaccinations and flea and worming treatments if they haven’t had them already.

Pet Insurance

It’s a good idea to insure your kitten to help you cover any vet fees if they become ill or injured. Pet insurance will help ensure that if your kitten becomes ill or injured then you can afford the best treatment available  not the best treatment you can afford at the time.*  More Info > 

Preparing your home

Preparing your home for your new kitten’s arrival is very important. Remove any dangers such as hazardous plants or objects, remember cats can climb pretty high. Block up any holes or gaps that your kitten could squeeze into such as behind cupboards and appliances. Make sure you have adequate litter trays (1 per cat), food and water bowls, kitten food, toys, a bed and safe places where your kitten can hide and feel secure. Request our free booklet for guidance on essential things your kitten will need.

Going outside

Your kitten should not be allowed outside until a week after their final kitten vaccine to ensure they have adequate immunity. We would also recommend neutering your cat before allowing them outside as un-neutered cats are more likely to roam and wander. Before any trips outside it is worth considering how you will give your cat or kitten access outdoors in the long-term. Install any cat flaps etc that you would like your cat to use. Make sure your garden is safe for your kitten – cover any ponds,  fill in any holes, remove any hazardous substances. 

Supervised access outside

Start by letting your kitten have supervised access to your garden to let them get used to being outside. Your kitten should always have access to go back inside if they feel unsure of the new outdoors environment.  Once your kitten is happy with going outside you can slowly build up the amount of time that you allow them outside unsupervised.

Microchipping

If your new kitten isn’t microchipped already book an appointment at your vets as soon as possible to have this done. Microchipping a simple and quick procedure that could help reunite you with your kitten if they go missing.

Socialisation

During yours kitten’s first few months, they should be getting used to people, other pets in the home, sounds and experiences to help socialise them. Try not to overwhelm them when they first arrive and encourage gentle contact from any children.

Request our FREE Kitten Booklet

Fill in our form and we’ll send you our FREE kitten advice booklet, featuring a list of essential things your new kitten needs such as the best type of bedding, litter trays, nutrition and more.

Request a Kitten Booklet