As with all infants, kitten nutritional needs are different from adults, higher levels of protein are required alongside extra vitamins and minerals to help develop healthy bones and muscles. Good kitten nutrition is essential for growth and setting them up for a healthy future, so selecting a food formulated for Kittens will ensure their needs are met.

Initially keep things small, both in the size of food you feed and in the portions given at one time -perhaps 3 meals a day: morning, afternoon and evening, in a quiet safe place with access to fresh water.  Small meals help your kitten as they are still growing and have small mouths and tiny tummies, which if fed too much at once can bloat or can lead to greedy gorging later in life!

As your kitten grows you will come to understand more about them and their habits including how they prefer to eat and how active they are, whether indoors or outdoors.

Kittens and cats are known for their cleanliness and spend a lot of time self-grooming but this doesn’t mean that you don’t have a part to play, not only does grooming your kitten help you to bond, it helps to reduce hairballs, control parasites and gives you the opportunity to check for any skin irritations.

Start gently and go slowly, stroking with your hand initially from head to tail and then introduce the brush – they may want to play with it, let them as it’s a new sensation for them.  Brush with the hair and then against it to help remove loose hair – particularly in the spring and summer moulting season, gently teasing out any knots – do not pull, we don’t like it, so your kitten won’t either. Take your time, this experience is new to them and should be a positive one, when finished reward your kitten with some play or a treat to reinforce the positive experience.