Kitten Care

Great news - the time has finally come when you can welcome your new kitten into your home! Just like bringing home a new-born baby, you’ll want everything to be just right so that they’ll settle in quickly and feel right at home. Making the decision to get a kitten is incredibly exciting as not only will you be gaining a new furry friend, but you’ll also be getting an extra family member! Before bringing a kitten home, you’ll need to spend a bit of time preparing for them. That’s why we’ve created this guide to tell you everything you need to know about getting a new kitten, so you can welcome your new four-legged friend into a warm, friendly environment where they’ll feel safe, comfortable and right at home! Before your new kitten comes home Before bringing home a new kitten, there’s a bit of admin for you to do! Here are a few things to get sorted before they arrive: • If you don’t already have a vet, ask local cat owners to recommend one, and get your new kitten registered straight away. It’s much less stressful to know they’re on the books already, as you’ll need to take them for their kitten vaccinations and neutering. It’s also worth it for the peace of mind in case they’re ever unwell.

From trailing leads to irresistible, but dangerous food scraps, there is so much to be mindful of when welcoming a new cat. Find out how to make your home safe for your pet. Playful, curious and extremely mischievous, cats won’t wait long before taking over your entire house and everything that’s in it. So, before you welcome your little ball of fur, make sure you’ve got the basics covered by cat proofing your entire home. From dangling cords to abandoned shopping bags and the beauty products on your nightstand, here is the list of unsuspecting items that can cause serious trouble in the company of a feline. Kitten and cat-proofing your home With so many things to consider, cat-proofing your home requires a solid plan. Here is what to keep in mind for a friendly and safe space: 1. Windows and doors When you first bring your new cat or kitten home, keep all windows and doors closed until they’re fully settled in, have had all their vaccinations and have been neutered.

Cats are famously independent, which is one reason why they are so well suited as pets, especially for those who are best suited to furry friend who isn’t so needy. This personality trait can have a flip side, as it can potentially make them a bit anti-social and unpredictable. So, if you’re introducing a new cat to your home and to other pets, be patient, understanding and approach with care – with a bit of time, everyone should get on just fine. Bringing a kitten home The good news is that adult cats tend to be much more welcoming to kittens or young cats than other adults. If both cats are neutered, better still (providing your vet advises that the kitten’s old enough to be neutered). Before bringing a kitten home, or in the first few days of introducing a kitten to a cat, get your existing cat used to the smell of their new companion. Swap their bedding back and forth over the first week and, if either cat gets angry or distressed around the scent, try to offer calm reassurance by associating the new scent with a positive experience, such as a tasty treat. While cats and dogs can be great friends, or live quite happily together even if they’re not, some pets should be kept away from cats. Small furry animals, like rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, rats, gerbils and chinchillas, as well as reptiles, must be protected at all times from cats.

Your new cat is precious, so you will want to make their new environment as safe as possible. So where do you start when creating a cat proof garden? Cats, and especially kittens, are naturally inquisitive, and investigate objects by touching, sniffing and tasting them. When you bring a new cat into your home they’ll be curious about everything and unlike us, won’t be able tell the difference between what is and isn’t dangerous. If you’re not sure how to cat proof your garden, follow our checklist to keep your pet out of trouble! Dangerous plants to remove for a cat proof garden Although we think of cats as meat-eaters, don’t be surprised if you spot your cat chewing vegetables or other plants. Some cats like to munch on grass outdoors, or nibble at the leaves of potted houseplants indoors. Keep an eye on exactly what your cat is grazing on, as some plants have parts that are toxic to them. Make sure your project to cat proof your garden includes getting rid of these toxic plants for cats: • Lilies; • Azalea; • Daffodil; • Tomato; • Foxglove; • Yew; • Hydrangea; • Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane); • Philodendron; • Mistletoe; • Poinsettia. Your vet can give you a complete list of plants that could be harmful to your cat, or click here for a list of dangerous plants for cats. Do you need to cat proof the garden for an indoor cat? Yes. Your cat or kitten has a natural instinct to play outdoors, establish territory, climb trees, and catnap in the sun. As fun as this sounds, there are some things that you’ll need to look out for in the great outdoors. When outside, cats are exposed to more diseases and parasites, risk getting lost or stolen, and could potentially get hurt by a car. To allow your cat outdoors and also keep them safe, you can create a cat proof garden. Some cats are quite happy staying indoors – although that does rely on you knowing how to make a cat friendly home and make their environment exciting to compensate for the lack of outdoor stimulation. Other cats will prefer to roam outdoors – deciding between which option is best for your cat will take careful consideration on your part. If you decide to allow your cat outdoors, ask your breeder or vet for advice and make sure you've made their outdoor space as safe as possible.

So you’ve welcomed a new bundle of fur to your family – congratulations! Now that you’ve settled the new arrival into your home, you’ll be wondering how you can help them grow up healthy and strong. They might be tiny now, but they’re going to grow – and quickly! Within six months, they’ll have reached 75% of their adult body mass, which is why feeding them a nutritionally-rich kitten food now is so important. To help them during this important time, the Purina Pet Care Team have some helpful tips to help you choose the best kitten food.

Cats and kittens are playful by nature, they love interacting with you and the fun they have when playing is a reward in itself! Kitten play has numerous benefits for your cat, including encouraging exercise, helping you both bond and engaging their natural hunting instincts. Most importantly, kitten play is incredibly fun for both you and your cat! We’ve put together this useful guide packed full of useful information to tell you everything from what are the best kitten toys to the reasons behind why cats actually like to play. Keep reading to find out more. Why do cats like to play? According to? Vet Street, your kitten’s love for play actually relates to their wild ancestors. What appears as ‘play’ is your cat actually learning vital survival skills such as how to stalk, chase and trap prey. While our domestic kitties don’t actually have any need for these hunting skills, the instinct will usually remain strong.

You’ve made a new furry addition to your family – fantastic! When your kitten is still so small and cute, it could be tough to imagine them with kittens of their own. However, as your cat reaches sexual maturity between four to six months old, they could potentially have kittens whilst they are still kittens themselves! Therefore as a new pet owner, you’ll need to start thinking about cat neutering early on. Neutering felines means that your cat will avoid any unplanned pregnancies and it can also protect them from certain diseases.

Our cats are creatures of mystery, but their anatomy needn’t be an enigma too. At Purina, we’ve put together this guide to cat anatomy so you can understand all that’s going on inside your furry friend. We spend so much time snuggling and petting our cats and obsessing over their adorable looks, but not many of us actually know what’s going on inside. If you love cats as much as we do, you’ll probably be wanting to find out everything you can about these mysterious creatures, so we’ve put together this guide to cat anatomy to give you a peek into what’s happening inside your four-legged friend. All about cat anatomy When we have to take our furballs to the vet, we often nod and smile as they go through various cat anatomy terms, but very few of us will actually stop to ask “where is that located?” or “what’s that responsible for doing?” The internal workings of your cat are rather amazing, keep reading to discover everything from the structure of their ears to the amount of bones in the average cat’s body. Cat ear anatomy You’ll all be familiar with the adorable triangle shape of your cats’ ear (also known as the pinna), but did you know this serves a far greater purpose than just appearing cute? The pinna is the part of your cat’s ear anatomy which is responsible for capturing any soundwaves and funnelling them into the ear canal and into the middle ear. According to Pet MD, your cat’s ears have loads of muscles so they can easily manoeuvre them and turn them toward sound, increasing their ability to hear even very quiet sounds. The middle ear houses their eardrum and ossicles – these are small bones that vibrate with soundwaves which then get sent onto the inner ear. The inner ear is incredibly complex as it contains sensory cells which send electrical signals to the brain. The vestibular system is also located here which is responsible for balance and orientation – hence why your cat may feel off balance if they get an ear infection! Cat teeth and their different purposes Adult cats have 30 teeth in total and they serve 3 different purposes: holding food, chewing food and killing prey. Cat teeth are located in the alveolar socket within the jaw and are held in place by ligaments, cementum, soft tissue and bone. You may be surprised to learn that your cat’s teeth are made up of three unique substances: pulp – in the centre of the tooth, this contains cells, nerves and blood vessels; dentine – this covers the pulp; enamel – this is the protection for your cat’s teeth, it covers the crown and prevents teeth from becoming too sensitive. Different types of cat teeth: • Incisors: the small teeth at the front, which are used to hold prey. • Canines: the long, sharp teeth used for hunting. • Pre molars and molars: these are for chewing and cutting through meat and bone.

A cat’s enhanced senses are wonderfully intricate mechanisms. Find out fascinating facts about the kitten’s five senses and whether there is a sixth one as some proud cat owners claim. From playing the piano to performing full backflips and gravity-defying tree climbing, cats are constantly surprising us with their impressive abilities. But behind these amazing skills are the finely-tuned cat senses, honed over thousands of years of being on the prowl. Our cats have whiskers that work like antennas, ears that act as satellite dishes and a dual scent mechanism that beats even the most nose-sensitive canines. The sensory world of cats is intriguing and, in many ways, unique. Read on to find out how the cat senses work together to bring the world into vivid focus and discover some fascinating facts in the process. Cat sense of smell A cat’s power to detect scents is nothing to be sniffed at. With almost 40 times more odour-sensitive cells than our human nose possesses, a cat’s sense of smell is a wonderfully intricate mechanism that some researchers even rank above that of our trusted canines. It’s no surprise then that a cat will rely more on what their nose can smell than what their eyes see to figure out their environment. From mother-offspring bonding to hunting, mating and exploring the surroundings, a cat’s sense of smell is their most reliable tool for picking up vital information.

Trying to decide whether your new cat or kitten is going to live outdoors or not is a difficult choice. If you’re on the fence and not sure which is best, read this guide to find out all you need to know. In the UK, allowing cats outside is actually rather common. According to International Cat Care, a whopping 90% of cats are given the freedom to come and go as they please, with only 10% of owners choosing to keep their cats permanently inside. If you live in a quiet, rural location, it could be a great idea to let your kitty roam free, but of course there are situations where your cat would be safer inside, such as if you live in a busy city. If you’re on the fence about whether to let your new cat explore the wider world, keep reading to discover the potential benefits and risks for outdoor cats. How do cats choose if they want to be outdoor or indoor? All cats have their own personal preferences and personalities, so sometimes they may just make the indoor/outdoor choice for you. Generally, it’s quite easy to tell as more timid or older cats will likely prefer the comfort of the indoors, so they’ll be less keen to bolt out the door every time it’s open.

Having an indoor cat is growing in popularity because it’s thought to be much safer as it keeps them away from the risks of the outdoor world. If you’re thinking about keeping cats indoors, read this guide to find out all you need to know. In the UK, it’s quite common to let cats have free roam outside. However, with the increased risks from the outside world, more and more pet owners are opting for the safety of inside life for their cats. There are many reasons behind the growing number of indoor cats, but the general consensus is that owners are keeping cats indoors to ensure they’re safe. This may be due to the fact they live in a busy town with lots of road traffic or because they’re in an area with neighbouring cats who don’t get along. If you’ve recently got a new kitten or cat, you may be wondering what’s best for your newest family member, keep reading to find out more. How do I know if my cat wants to be indoors or outdoors? It’s important to take your cat’s opinion into consideration, and they’re usually quite good at telling you if they want to be an outdoor or indoor cat. Older cats or those with a disability or medical problem will often find the safety of indoors and the comforts that go with it much more preferable. Additionally, there are some cats which are genuinely quite frightened of outside, which may be due to aggressive territorial cats in your neighbourhood or loud sounds. Outdoor cats on the other hand, will probably consistently beg you to go outside – usually by almost constant meowing – and may try and bolt every time they see the door open a crack.

Kittens are sensitive creatures with a fussy side they often like to show off at dinner time. So if you’re wondering why is my kitten not eating, here are the most common explanations. You’ve got everything set up and ready for the new arrival. The best kitten food sat waiting in the cupboard next to delicious kitten treats – the perfect training rewards. No doubt you can’t wait to see your little cat feasting on the glorious meal. Yet sometimes what you’ll see instead is the new kitten not eating and woefully ignoring the bowl of food in front of them. When kittens turn their nose up at their food, we immediately think something must be wrong with the meal itself. Maybe it’s too hot, too cold, too wet, not wet enough, not the right variety of fish, or the wrong flavour, colour and smell. But in fact, there can be many reasons why a fussy eater will refuse the meal in front of them. It doesn’t always mean they’re disappointed with your taste in kitten food! Here are some common explanations for a kitten not eating. Why is my kitten not eating? Type of bowl Kittens don’t like their whiskers touching the sides of the bowl every time they dip in to eat. Although the syndrome “whiskers fatigue” is still being studied, there is one thing we know for sure – whiskers are extremely sensitive antennas that help kittens extract useful information from their environment. Activating them several times during their meal could in theory put them off their food. This is why it’s recommended to choose food bowls that are wide and shallow, to keep those precious whiskers from touching the dish. Location Where you put their food bowl can be just as important as what you put in it. If you’re seeing your new kitten not eating, consider the location of the bowl. Make sure it’s away from the litter box and in an area where the footfall is at minimum, so they can eat without being disturbed. If there are other pets in the house, remember that the hunting instinct still alive in your kitten makes them prefer a solitary dinner. Place your pets’ food bowls well apart and see if your kitten will consider giving the food another chance. Cleanliness A kitten not eating their meal might also be related to a dish that has not been properly washed. Make sure you use detergent and rinse well with water to clean up the kitten’s food bowl after every meal. You can also go for ceramic bowls as these don’t hold on to the food’s smell as plastic ones do.