First year
Your kitten's first year
Practical guidance for the first twelve months, and what is worth telephoning us about. Your kitten's own plan is made at their appointments.
The first visit
Bring your kitten in soon after they arrive home. We weigh them, examine them thoroughly, check for congenital problems and parasites, and look at anything the breeder, shelter or previous owner has recorded.
Carrier tip: leave it open at home with a blanket inside so it becomes furniture rather than a warning sign.
Vaccination planning
Kittens receive a series of vaccinations over their first months. Which ones, and when, depends on age, what has already been given, and whether your kitten will have outdoor access or live with other cats.
An indoor-only kitten and a kitten with garden access do not face the same risks, so we plan accordingly.
Parasites and deworming
Routine deworming is standard for kittens, and we discuss ongoing prevention based on lifestyle. Fleas can appear in indoor cats too, usually via other pets in the household.
Litter habits and settling in
Give a new kitten one quiet room to start with, containing litter, food, water and hiding places, then expand their territory gradually.
Litter-box problems are worth mentioning at a visit rather than tolerating: they are often medical, not behavioural.
Feeding and growth
Kittens need food formulated for growth, in measured amounts, with fresh water always available. Many cats drink poorly, so we may discuss wet food as part of the routine.
We check weight and body condition at each visit — early habits shape adult weight more than anything else.
Handling and enrichment
Practise gentle handling of paws, ears and mouth in short sessions. Add climbing space, scratching posts and play that mimics hunting; boredom in cats often shows up as behaviour problems.
Spay and neuter timing
We will discuss appropriate timing for your kitten, taking into account their development, household and whether they will go outdoors.
When to call us
Call about refusal to eat, repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, lethargy, laboured breathing, straining in the litter box, eye discharge, or a kitten who suddenly hides and stops playing. Small cats have small reserves.
This guide is general information, not a treatment schedule. Your kitten's vaccinations, prevention and surgery timing are planned individually.