New Cat Owners Guide to Caring for your Cat

Becoming a new cat owner is an exciting time, whether you are bringing home a new kitten or adopting an older cat. But there are several key practical considerations to think about including what type of cat litter to use, what type of food to feed your kitten or cat, and getting registered with a vet. Getting these aspects right will mean that you can focus on enjoying your new pet.

Choosing Cat Litter for Kittens
A kitten will need to start using a litter tray when it starts taking solid food - this happens at around 3-5 weeks of age. If you have bought your kitten from a breeder, your kitten will usually already be at this stage when you bring her home, so you will need a suitable cat litter tray and litter in place straightaway. A kitten needs a low-sided tray that it can easily climb over - it will not be able to use a full size litter tray at first.

The choice of cat litter within the tray needs careful consideration since some types of adult cat litter can present problems for kittens. In particular, avoid any type of cat litter which is dusty (this includes any type of clay-based litter) as kittens will typically explore it with their noses or even try to eat it, creating nasal and respiratory problems. For the same reason any type of chemical clumping litter should be avoided, to avoid blocking nasal passages or intestines.

For safety reasons it is best to choose a type of cat litter for kittens which is virtually dust free, contains no clumping chemicals, or any artificial chemicals at all. Since kittens are likely to be in an out of the litter tray frequently, it is also useful if the litter you choose is easy to clean, does not need frequent changing and does not cause undue mess to the surrounding area. SmartBedz cat litter for kittens is straw-based pellet litter that is virtually dust free, contains no chemical additives, is highly absorbent and naturally odour suppressing. It can be easily spot cleaned and does not generate dusty paw prints around the house. SmartBedz is also cost effective since only the pellets that are actually wet need to be removed.

Choosing Cat Litter for an Adult Cat
For an adult cat, the safety concerns around choice of cat litter are not quite as strong, as an adult cat can more easily cope with a degree of dust, for instance, and is less likely to explore the litter with its nose. However, an adult cat will still benefit from being in a dust free environment to avoid general respiratory irritation - and a dust free litter is better for owners too!

Clumping clay litters are still best avoided, even for adult cats, since all cats will lick litter dust off legs and feet as part of their natural cleaning behaviour, resulting in a daily dose of clumped clay entering the cat’s intestine which is difficult for the cat to digest or process.

Other chemicals used to suppress odour, such as perfumes, are not ideal since cats are very sensitive to smell and may find the perfume off-putting.

And older cats will still kick and scratch in the litter, especially after defecation, and then walk around the house - so a dust free litter will greatly help the owner in keeping the rest of the house clean.

SmartBedz is therefore an ideal cat litter for older cats, as well as kittens, helping to prevent a range of health problems in your pet.

Feeding your Kitten or Cat
Cat food and kitten food is supplied in three main formats: wet, moist and dry. Most cats will prefer wet food, as this most closely approximates to the experience of eating freshly killed meat or fish. Wet food is also the easiest for kittens to eat, especially as they make the transition from milk to solids. It also has a high water content, helping to ensure good hydration, although clean, fresh water should always be provided, even on a wet food diet.

The two main problems with wet food are that it tends to be more expensive than moist or dry food, and that it goes off quickly if left uneaten for more than a couple of hours, especially in warmer weather. For kittens especially, it is usually recommended to feed on demand and to have food always present - which is not always easy or hygienic to arrange using wet food. It either means putting out small quantities of wet food at frequent intervals - which means the owner needing to be around most of the day, or putting out larger quantities with the risk of it going off.

Understandably, owners are tempted into using dry food (also known as kibble) as an easier alternative. Apart from ease of use and hygiene, dry food does offer two benefits to cats. The first is dental hygiene, as eating dry food helps to clean a cat’s teeth. The second is nutrition, with many dry food formulations being specially designed to provide the specific range of nutrients required by cats of different ages. However, you will need to check the formulation of dry foods to ensure it has appropriate nutritional levels. Aim for a high protein, low carbohydrate formulation (cats are not natural grain eaters) and in particular try to avoid formulations which include large quantities of wheat, soy or corn, as these can cause allergic problems for some cats.

For kittens, it is recommended to avoid dry food, at least for the first few months as they may find it more difficult to eat and are most at risk of dehydration. For an older cat, some dry food can be introduced, but a completely dry-food diet is thought to increase the risk of conditions such as gallstones (a side-effect of dehydration). In practice, you will need to experiment with your cat or kitten to find out which type of food it prefers, including which flavours it likes, to find the ideal feeding regime for your cat. This may involve a combination of wet and dry food, for instance occasional wet food, supplemented by dry food to ensure your cat does not go hungry and to benefit from the cleaning effect on your cat’s teeth. You will need to monitor your kitten or cat’s eating habits and health, and make adjustments to the diet as necessary.

Registering with a Vet
It is not a legal requirement to register your kitten or cat with a vet, but doing so will contribute to the long term health of your cat. There are three main reasons for registering with a vet:

1. Vaccinations and Sterilisations
Kittens will require vaccinations for a range of conditions in the first few weeks and months.  Being registered with a vet will ensure that your new kitten receives all the necessary vaccinations and, when appropriate, is spayed or neutered at the right time.

2. Security Chip
A vet can arrange to have your cat or kitten security chipped, making it easier to find if it becomes lost. This is important both for kittens who may go astray, and for older cats being re-homed in a new location. A security chip will make you feel easier about letting your cat outside, resulting in more freedom and better quality of life for your cat.

3. Peace of Mind
In the event of an emergency you will benefit from knowing exactly who to call for help. Looking through the phone book when your cat is sick or injured is not the best time to be trying to find a vet. A vet can provide valuable advice and support about how to care for your cat, saving you time and worry, especially if this is your first cat. A vet can also give you information about different types of condition to look out for, so that you can spot symptoms in good time and take action more quickly.

It is a good idea to research possible vets in your area well before your kitten or cat arrives. You will be more likely to make an objective choice at this early stage, rather than later on when you are perhaps worried about your cat. As well as looking for a vet who is friendly and who you feel comfortable with, take time to consider different payment options for vet services and perhaps look into taking out pet insurance. You may save yourself from large, unexpected bills, as well as heartache by planning for your cat’s medical expenses in advance.