Preparing for your new arrival
It doesn’t need to be overwhelming; click here to view a quick checklist of the basics you will want to have available to help your kitten get settled in.
Settling your kitten into its new home
Kittens need their sleep when they are young, even more so than adult cats, but in between catnaps they exhibit energetic bursts of activity. Kittens love to climb, so be prepared to go to the rescue; going up is always easier than coming down.
Milestones
The first months of a cat’s life are very formative. If this is your first kitten it can be hard to keep track of everything you need to attend to. Our Kitten Guide has lots of handy tips and hints.
Keeping your kitten healthy with good nutrition
Just like people, food plays a vital role in a kitten’s health. The first year of your kitten’s life is the most important for growth and development. The right food will help them grow strong bones and muscles, and aid in eye and brain development.Come training time, this will be crucial.
Training your kitten is important
From birth to six months is the perfect time for training, as kittens start learning from a very young age. This is the best time to develop your kitten’s behaviour and socialisation.
What vaccines does my kitten need?
Vaccinating your new kitten is vital to protect it against all manner of diseases. To be considered fully vaccinated, your kitty will initially require a series of vaccinations, starting from six to eight weeks of age and then repeating every two to four weeks until 16 weeks of age or older. These protect against the core diseases in New Zealand. Beyond that, boosters are important to maintain immunity.
Protecting your cat and family from parasites
There are many products available to help keep pests at bay, but not all are equal. We think the best solution is to treat for internal & external parasites in one gentle monthly spot-on with NEXGARD SPECTRA Spot-On Solution for Cats; no collars, no pills and no stress for you or your cat.
Your kitten’s general wellbeing
Although cats are incredibly independent, some cat owners want to give their new family members a little extra attention.
Remember your vet is the best person to talk to should you have any worries or problems with your kitten.