Your kitten's week by week development
Bringing home your new kitten is a fun time, but what can you expect from your first year? Here we delve into some of the most important things to factor into your new life with your kitten.
Before you bring your new kitten home
It's always good to be prepared, here's a couple of things to think about before bringing your kitten home.
- 1
Has your kitten been microchipped?
It's law for all cats to be microchipped before 20 weeks of age, so find out if they have been microchipped before coming home.
- 2
Look into insurance
Kittens get up to all sorts of mischief, and you can insure your kitten from the day you collect them.
- 3
Prepare your home!
Bringing your kitten home is extremely exciting but can also be a bit daunting. So here are some tips to help.
When do kittens open their eyes?
Kittens are born with their eyes closed, and keep them shut for at least a few days. Here's what to expect as a newborn kitten's eyes develop.
How to socialise kittens
Socialisation is an important period for kittens, it helps them develop their confidence and become less fearful. But how do you achieve this?
Weekly tips to support your kitten's first year
- 1
Settling in your kitten [read more]Weeks 8 to 10
Settling in
Bringing your kitten home is a really exciting time for you and all the family, but it’s easy to forget that for your kitten, their whole world is changing. It’s up to you to make their homecoming positive, help them feel safe and give them the very best chance to settle into your family.
- 2
Toilet training tips [read more]Weeks 10 to 12
Toilet training
If your kitten comes from a good breeder or rescue centre where they’ve been raised by their mum, they’ll probably already be using a litter tray with regularity – and a fairly high degree of success. Now it’s your job to build on this early education as your kitten gets used to their new home.
- 3
What to feed your kitten [read more]Weeks 12 to 14
Feeding advice
Cats and kittens are sometimes very particular about the types of food they prefer. Often when attempting to wean them over to a food we know will be nutritionally better for them long-term, they can refuse to eat.
- 4
Enrich your cat's life [video]Weeks 14 to 16
Enriching your cat's life
It’s all too easy for cat owners to forget that their affectionate, purring and, often lazy, feline is also an apex predator – perfectly capable of hunting their own food without any help. So, to help keep your kitten happy and healthy, your pet needs an outlet for this hunting instinct – because that’s a huge part of who they are. In this video, I've got some great ideas for you to help enrich your kitten's life!
- 5
Is my kitten drinking enough? [Read more]Weeks 16 to 18
Is your kitten drinking enough?
Cats originated from desert animals and therefore, have a naturally low thirst drive. Many domesticated pet cats suffer from a whole range of urinary diseases and infections, so to help keep these at bay, encouraging daily moisture intake may help.
- 6
Vomiting and diarrhoea in kittens [read more]Weeks 18 to 20
Tummy upsets
Vomiting and diarrhoea are common problems in kittens, but it's important to be able to understand the cause, and what to do to help them. Very often, this is due to a change in diet following leaving their breeder or rescue centre to join your family. However, while less common, there can be other, more serious reasons, that your kitten has an upset tummy and sickness, so make sure you rule them out first...
- 7
Worming in cats [read more]Weeks 20 to 22
Worming
Kittens will potentially be exposed to worms every day of their life, and can even be born with them. So the most important time to think about worming your kitten is at the beginning. Get more advice on the importance of worming in our blog.
- 8
Dangerous plants to cats [read more]Weeks 22 to 24
Watch out for dangerous plants
Now that your kitten is exploring the world more and more, your pet may be more likely to find new dangers. Poisonous plants can be found in and around your home, so it's good to know what to watch out for to keep your kitten safe. Find out what to avoid and what to do if you suspect your kitten has come into contact with a toxic plant.
- 9
Changing your kitten's diet [read more]Weeks 24 to 27
Changing their diet
As your kitten reaches the 6-month mark, it is important to feed them the correct diet. Even though they have finished the majority of their growing, important developmental changes are still happening that require the correct balance of nutrients.
- 10
Tips on safe play [read more]Weeks 27 to 30
How to enjoy safe kitten play
Kittens are playful animals, but we must make sure we play with them safely. If you need some inspiration on cat play and stimulation, read our 4 top tips.
- 11
How to stop kittens biting [read more]Weeks 30 to 34
How to stop your kitten from biting
When thinking about how to with kitten or cat biting, it’s important to understand why it happens - and why, while we may not like it, it is entirely natural, and mostly our fault! In this blog, we look at why kittens bite and how to prevent it.
- 12
Is your kitten happy? [Video]Weeks 34 to 38
Is your kitten happy?
This is such a great question to ask, and looking at life from your kitten's point of view is a great way to start. In this fantastic video, Carolyn talks about how you can ensure your kitten has everything they need to be healthy, safe and fulfilled.
- 13
Why does my kitten 'attack' me? [Video]Weeks 38 to 42
Does your kitten 'attack' you?
Does your kitten ever attack you when you've been stroking them? Don't worry, it doesn't mean they've fallen out with you! It all relates to one of Carolyn's favourite topics - consent. This video explains all about what it means, and how understanding consent can help you and your kitten have an even better relationship!
- 14
Why do cats eat grass? [Read more]Weeks 42 to 44
Does your kitten eat grass?
You may have noticed your kitten eating grass. Don’t worry, they haven’t gone vegetarian! It’s perfectly normal, and there are a few theories as to why they are eating some greens, however there are things you must be aware of at home to make sure your cat is safe.
- 15
Why do cats snore? [Read more]Weeks 44 to 47
Does your kitten snore?
Usually, snoring is normal when your cat is relaxed and in a deep sleep, but it's good to know what signs to look out for that's something isn't quite right...
- 16
Why are vaccinations important? [Video]Weeks 47 to 52
Why are vaccinations important?
When it comes to vaccinations, it can all get a bit confusing. Which vaccinations should your kitten have, and when? Here's a useful guide to help understand why vaccinations are important.
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