Kitten Health

Getting a new kitten can be an amazing experience for everyone
involved. They’re adorable, fluffy and are yet to get to the stage
where their claws can do some damage. These little bundles of joy
can put a smile on even the hardest person.

Looking after your new kitten’s health is at the forefront of
any owners mind. The food and care you choose for your new feline
could make the difference in how happy and healthy they are in the
coming months and years. Petplan has put together some
tips and checks for making sure your kitten is well looked
after.

Feeding

• Kittens are tiny, so they need small/shallow bowls to access
  their food with ease. You should be feeding them 3 times with
  high-protein foods (cooked egg yolk, boneless fish, and liver) to
  build strong bones.
• A normal diet is fine for a kitten, however, you should
  consider introducing higher quality kitten food. By slowly
  introducing this food to your kitten, you can gradually adjust
  their diet until they will completely eat the higher quality food
  exclusively. Ask your vet what food to choose for your kitten.
• During their growing age, feeding your kitten snacks is very
  important.
• If your kitten prefers to have something to eat every now and
  then, you can leave dry kibble in their bowl so they can graze
  throughout the day.
• It’s important to feed your kitten a mixture of wet and dry
  food – some prefer to feed dry food during the day and wet food in
  the evening.
• The only liquid Kittens need is water – always have enough
  water for them throughout the day whilst checking on its
  cleanliness. Do not give them milk as this can cause them to have a
  stomach ache!

First days at home

• Keeping your kitten in the same room with a litter box for
  their first couple of days is important. It will give them time to
  get used to you and their new environment without too many other
  influences. After they are comfortable you can give them a chance
  to explore.
• Giving them the chance to explore could lead them to trouble.
  Keep an eye on them as they go through the house as they can easily
  become stuck in furniture, find the toilet and fall in or be
  stepped on due to their curiosity.
• Play with your kitten as much as possible – whether it be with
  a string, a toy or literally anything you can find. This time you
  share with them now will lead to a greater bond later in their
  life.
• Keep visitors to a minimum so you don’t overwhelm your
  kitten.

Vets

• It is vital to get your kitten vaccinated as early as possible
  and have a complete check-up by a vet.
• You should definitely consider getting your kitten spayed or
  neutered. This is generally done around 6 months old and leads to a
  happier and healthier cat as they don’t go into heat, become
  pregnant, spray urine, or get into fights. Get your vets advice on
  when to get the operation.

Body Check

Regular home check-ups on your kitten can help identify any
early signs of sickness or injuries. If anything is out of the
ordinary, contact your vet immediately. Here’s what you should
check for:

• Body – you should be able to feel but not see
  their ribs
• Ears – these should be clear of thick, dark wax
  and have no smell
• Eyes – there should be no redness, discharge or
  apparent soreness. If they shy away from light, this could be a
  sign that something is wrong
• Nose – it should be damp and soft to touch and
  free of discharge or crusting
• Mouth – gums should be pink or black with white
  teeth. Warning signs are dropping food, extra salivation, clawing
  at the mouth or bad breath
• Fur – the coat should be thick and shiny with no
  dandruff, fleas, bald patches or sores
• Nails – should be smooth and clipped regularly if
  you have an indoor cat
• Digestion – cats will often vomit up hair or
  grass which is quite normal. However, if it is persistent or they
  are choking when eating these could be signs that something is
  wrong. Checking their stool is a good sign to see if their
  digestive system is working properly
• Attitude – shying away from human contact or
  acting aggressively can be signs of an unwell kitten

Did you recently get a new kitten? At Petplan, we offer
kitten insurance policies. Contact our friendly team today to
find out more and obtain a FREE quote.