KITTEN CARE GUIDE The essentials for a good start in life Asw a ne kitten owner there are many things to consider, and some very important choices to help keep your kitten healthy. To help you navigate the joys of raising a kitten, we are delighted to CONTENTS offer you this guide, packed with valuable information to help get you and your new kitten off to a great start together. CARE Bringing Your Kitten Home 6 For 45 years, breeders, owners and veterinarians throughout At Home Together 12 the world have relied on Royal Canin for nutritional expertise. Kitten Grooming 14 Created by a veterinarian, Royal Canin is renowned for knowledge Kitten Hygiene 16 and respect for cats. Hundreds of scientists and professionals Caring for Claws and Teeth 17 from diverse fields are involved in our research and development NUTRITION programs, resulting in innovative nutritional answers aimed at The Science of Nutrition 20 enhancing the health and longevity of your cat Why Cats Are Different 22 Congratulations on the addition of Digestion and Taste 24 a o kitten t your home. Rest assured Feeding Guidelines for Cats 26 Understanding a Kitten’s Growth 28 that you can trust Royal Canin to Nutrition 30 provide the best health nutrition availableo t get your new kitten off TRAINING to a great start toward a long and Behavior and Training 44 healthy life. Your Kitten’s Home 46 Your Kitten’s Activities 48 Enjoy the wonderful pleasures Your Kitten’s Personality 50 your new kitten will bring. Your Kitten’s Communication 51 Body Language 52 HEALTHCARE Caring for your Kitten 56 Preventive Measures 57 Vaccinations 58 Internal Parasite Prevention 59 External Parasite Prevention 60 FIRST AID First Aid for Cats 64 Emergency Action Steps 66 Poisonous Substances 68 Toxic Plants 69 My Pet’s Information 70 CARE Bringing Your Kitten Home 6 At Home Together 12 Kitten Grooming 14 Kitten Hygiene 16 Caring for Claws and Teeth 17 Kittenguide Preference Meet the veterinarian and see the facilities. The BRINGING veterinary staff should be friendly and helpful. The veterinarian must be trustworthy and have your kitten home expertise in dealing with cats. Proximity While this is an exciting time for you, it can Choose a veterinarian’s office that is close to be a rather frightening time of adjustment your home. This is not only an issue of your for your new kitten. The kitten will be leaving convenience, but will allow you to get there the security of their mother and littermates quickly in case of an emergency. and experiencing a multitude of new sights, Hours sounds and smells. In the first few months, you will be visiting the veterinarian often, so it is important to make To help you with this exciting transition, the team sure your vet’s hours of operation coincide with at Royal Canin has gathered helpful information your schedule. Many veterinarians have extended to assist in introducing your new kitten to evening or weekend hours to accommodate their new home. Schedule a work schedules. veterinary visit Emergencies Choosing a veterinarian soon after getting Many veterinarians refer to after-hours emergency your kitten It is important to have an initial Keep emergency clinics. Ask if the veterinarian answers after-hours veterinary emergency calls, or refers emergencies to a local checkup after obtaining your kitten and for follow-up care, so choosing hospital numbers clinic. If the vet refers to a clinic for after-hours Trust a veterinarian before your new handy emergencies, be sure to ask where the emergency Royal Canin clinic is located. kitten comes home can save time. If to provide you don’t have a veterinarian, friends nutrition for your or family members with pets can make pet’s needs recommendations. Here are a few tips to help you choose a veterinarian, if you are unable to keep the kitten’s original veterinarian. Kittenguide 6 • 7 • Remove all indoor plants that are in reach of your new kitten as many household plants are toxic to cats. • Check under the First Aid tab of this booklet and ask your veterinarian for a list of poisonous substances. Making your home safe Kittens have a tendency to lurk in cupboards, Without realizing it, there are many dangers drawers and laundry baskets, and very often that exist inside your home, and oversights can get inside washing machines and dryers. Look jeopardize your kitten’s safety. New habits and for possible hiding places to minimize the risk certain arrangements will help you to protect of accidents. your kitten from possible household accidents. By kitten-proofing now, you can avoid a lot of heartache later. Just as you would with a baby, you need to make sure the whole house is safe from anything dangerous to Hide electrical the kitten. By getting wires and block down at the kitten’s unused outlets level you can assess potential hazards. Limit access to balconies and • Hide any exposed decks electrical wires and Put away block unused electrical pesticides and outlets. medications • Put all pesticides, weed and rat killers and all medications out of the kitten’s reach. • Put away small items such as rubber bands, string, pens, pencils, needles, etc. • Don’t leave plastic bags or things made out of foam lying around. • Close the trash can lid and the toilet seat cover. • Be careful with hot irons. Kittenguide 8 • 9 Scratching Post Providing appropriate places to scratch will help to avoid damage inside your home. Cat Tree Your kitten’s first things Kittens love to climb up high and twist around between two branches. A cat tree helps to It’s a good idea to have all the necessary items limit excessive rushing about and jumping on before the kitten is brought home. Your list furniture while still allowing the kitten to satisfy should include food, feeding bowls, a litter box, the need for exercise. a bed and toys. All of these accessories are available in pet supply stores: Toys Toys can be either bought, hand made or even Food and Water Bowls just items found around the house. Toys will Choose a small bowl for kitten food (an adult encourage the kitten to interact and play. And cat only eats four to six ounces of food per day) play will keep her entertained so she is less likely and a bigger one for fresh water, which must to cause problems stemming from boredom. always be available. Glass, crystal or ceramic bowls are recommended. Litter Box Select a container that is deep enough and a scoop to remove droppings. There are several different kinds of litter Be prepared boxes, including a covered with necessary litter box that can help items before you to avoid accidental spills bring the kitten home and limit odors. You Use glass, crystal or ceramic will need to find the bowls for food right type of litter box and water for your kitten. Avoid handling Bedding the kitten excessively The kitten will choose their own place to sleep, but it is important to provide a warm comfortable place where the kitten will feel safe (you may want to use the carrying crate you used to bring the kitten home). Kittenguide 10 • 11 furniture. Maintain your existing pet’s (dog and/or cat) privileges, but make introductions soon after your kitten arrives home so that they can AT HOME be properly integrated into the household. Your kitten’s first nights together The first night is often very disturbing for your kitten. It is normal for the kitten to cry the first You are now responsible for your kitten’s health three to four nights. and safety. You have taken the place of the mother and now the kitten will rely on you Children for confidence and protection. Remember that Children often tend to almost smother the your kitten has just been brought into totally new arrival with attention. An adult cat is unknown surroundings. Curb your enthusiasm, perfectly capable of avoiding children when move gently and don’t shout. Avoid handling they don’t want to be bothered, but a kitten is the kitten excessively. A noisy or agitated not. You should explain to your children that atmosphere could cause your kitten to be a the kitten is not a toy, that they need lots nervous and fearful adult. of sleep and that they should not wake the kitten just to cuddle or play. It is best not to allow young children to play with the kitten Handling your kitten when you are not present. Your supervision will ensure the child is gentle with the kitten and aid Remember to handle your kitten carefully. Rough in avoiding scratches. or sudden movement can terrify your pet. Other Cats If you want to carry your kitten, the best way is An adult cat does not always appreciate • You are responsible for to slide one hand, open wide, under the stomach invasion of their territory. Some may show your kitten’s safety with the other under the rear end for bigger displeasure with threatening behavior. breeds. Do not slide both hands under the • Supervise the kitten’s Total acceptance may take several months. front feet. introduction to other pets in the household During the introduction, try introducing Introductions the cats on neutral territory during play • Total acceptance by the or meal times. Separate the cats if any Introducing the new environment, new other animals in the aggression begins to appear. Repeat family members and possible fellow pets house may take several the process until the cats no longer (dogs and/or cats already living in your months mind each other’s presence and begin household) is a very important stage in • An adult should always to share.