Hotchoclate
British Shorthair & Selkirk Rex kittens
things to buy
Food biscuits - ask
Any cat litter as we will give sample to mix in. ( please ask for this on day)
2 bowls
2 litter trays nothing fancy just cheap large ones with lid
Toys/cat post/ blanket etc
Set up all the kitten equipment (bed, toys, food/water bowls, litter box, scratching post, in one room of your house eg. your bedroom or dinning room. Keep the kitten shut in this room for the first week while it gets used to its new environment. Place the kitten in its litter box before taking it anywhere else in the house. SLOWLY introduce the kitten to new rooms in your house. do not go having parties or too many people over for the first 2 weeks, you must allow the kitten to bond with you and the new home first. do not plan any holidays for at least 3 months unless you have a full time house sitter.
For the first month you will need two cat trays around the house, if you keep the tray in the kitchen and have friends over the kitten will prefer privacy when using toilet, a kitten might not feel confident walking through a room full of people to use a tray, once a kitten feels confident and settled in your home you can have the one.
Always keep the kitten on the same diet and type of cat litter for the first month. feed 3 times a day, ie 7am dry buscuits only, 5pm dry and canned/pouches, 10pm dry and canned/poches, or what ever suits you. always remove any un-eaten food after 20 mins. give dry biscuits and tinned food in two separate bowls. if your cat becomes over weight and the dry diet food does not work we have found feeding a high quaility canned/pouch and no dry biscuits works. give clean bowls and fresh food daily!. remember to take off kitten products one they are spayed/neutered.
Fresh water daily, not tap water! until 6 months old. .......never give milk.
If you have other pets you must keep new kitten away from their food and yours, after a month its up to you what you feed but change over slowly.
Kittens are wormed with drontol wormer, you will need to do the next treatment 2 weeks after you bring kitten home, repeat 4 weeks later then every 4 months if indoor cat or 12 weeks if in/outdoor etc.. flea every 4 weeks, if you have more than one cat you only need to flea the one! always change products each time ie one month frontline combo, next time stronghold etc.
They are also insured with pet plan for 6 weeks free, we strongly advise you to continue with insuring your pet with an insurance company of your choice.
Your kitten will have been given thier vaccinations and will need a booster 12 months later, if you intend letting your kitten out then you will need to have the cat vaccinated for Leukemia, at 17 weeks and 20 weeks.
You will need to spay/neuter by 7 months old for female and 9 months for male although if you don't get the male smell leave until 14 months as they mature better and get a lovely round head and their cheeks. we prefer cats to be sold to indoor homes or with secure gardens, over the years I have found that kittens not let out until 14 months old will not leave the garden due to not be so brave as a kitten.
although british make ideal indoor cats really a safe enclosure or supervised visits in the garden is kinder and keeps the cat fitter.
Cats let out to roam are at risk of disease/theft/straying/cars etc I know how precious my cat is and no cat of mine would be allowed to roam free. so buy a small run and attach it to window or door, make few shelves and buy some cat nip grass pots.
A photo once a year would be lovely as we love watching how the kitten grows.
The socialisation period for kittens is between three and seven weeks of age. Kittens are exposed to as many different influences as possible during this time. this socialization period will be while the kitten is still with its mother and litter mates. Kittens should not be separated from their mother and litter mates until at least 9 weeks old.
You will need to carry on with socialisation. when you bring home your new kitten sit on the floor quietly and place a fleece blanket on your lap and encourage kitty to come to you or when the kitten is sleepy place him/her on your lap, never do this when the kitten is playing as you will not have their full attention and they will get stressed trying to get away from you to play. keep doing this until your kitten comes to you to sleep on your lap on his/her own accord. use the sofa tip below once you have got this.
this is a tip from experience so please do it. to encourage your bond with your new kitten place a blanket on the sofa and use this as kittens bed, this will encourage kitten to be near to you and not shy of you & your visitors, also have a special fleece that you place on your lap,only use the special blanket when you have it on you and put it away when you are not. always stoke kitten softly then allow to sleep peacefully. do not use the blanket as a time to start playing as kitten will get cross if he is sleepy and wont thankyou for the attention. this tip has proved to be the best thing i have ever done and my bond with my cats has become very strong. it takes days/weeks depending on the kitten
Young kittens like to climb and explore. Make sure you do a safety check of your house to see what dangers your kitten may find.
Washing machines/tumble dryers/ovens etc - please check kitten is not curled up in clothes and keep doors shut on kitchen appliances
Air fresheners ie sprays,plug-ins etc.
keep toilet seats down
Windows shut - buy screens to have them open
Never use body sprays in same room as kitten
Cat toys with string
Household plants that may be poisonous
knives, scissors, pins
Cleaning rags or sponges
Hanging cords on curtains or blinds
Electrical cords the kitten may chew
Medicines
Small objects the kitten could swallow
Cleaning products such as detergent or bleach
Antifreeze, oil, brake fluid, weed killer, etc etc etc
think of your kitten as a new born baby and you wont go far wrong!