Kitten Care

Within 72 hours of bringing your kitten home, they must have a vet check declaring your kitten is in good health. You should at this time schedule your appointment for their first Rabies Vaccination and their third FVRCP Vaccination. Talk with your veterinarian about recommendations they have for the betterment of your feline’s life. 

Please see Bengal Health for more information about these topics.

Becoming a parent of a feline toddler can present you with new challenges on the daily. I’d like to share with you some kitten care advice.

Transitioning to the food that you are going to provide for your kitten is simple but should be done slowly. We will send a small amount of the food we use so that you have adequate time to help their bellies transition. We recommend mixing a portion of the new food over as long a period as possible. New food-old food ratio as follows; 1/8 - 7/8, 1/4 - 3/4, 1/2 - 1/2, 3/4 – 1/4, 7/8 – 1/8. Using a measuring cup for this works great. If possible, we recommend offering each ratio for approximately 48 hours.

This one seems easy enough. BUT, it is very important to ensure that your cat stays hydrated. Many veterinarians recommend a cat water fountain because naturally cats are drawn to running water. Therefore, this will encourage your cat to drink more and stay better hydrated. Please beware though, if not cleaned properly this can cause more harm, then good. Please follow the cleaning recommendations of the product you are using. If you are using a traditional water bowl, this should be washed with soap and exchanged for fresh water daily.

We recommend Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter with added Diatomaceous Earth. Please see our Litter page.

When it comes to kittens you will find yourself shaking your head, laughing, saying ouch, and everything in between. We have included our favorite starter toy in their welcome home gift. Don’t run out and buy everything in the store they offer, as tempting as this might be. Cats will often have no interest in the toys that you went out of your way to spend money on (we know). We suggest they have at minimum a cat tree (this doesn’t have to be huge and fancy), a couple scratching posts throughout the house, and a few toys that require your interaction with them. We also recommend a cat wheel (not all cats will use one). Please do not ever use your hands to rough up your kitten, pretending you are going to “get” them, and many other things will only encourage aggression towards you and could cause behavioral problems. Your kitten will need lots of time to play. We recommend adopting two kittens and have a very encouraging “Two Is Better Than One” motto. If this can’t be done, your kitten will need your engagement for play time during the day.

For as often as they are running around playing, they are curled up resting. Our kittens love to snuggle for sleep time. This is a good time to encourage a stronger bond between you and your kitten. Even if they just want to curl up on a blanket next to you while you are working at your computer, I highly encourage you to let them be near you if that is what they want. We have had kittens who want nothing to do with us and ones who want everything to do with us. Our little Luna always slept with us, and if we were home and she wanted to lay down for a nap, she sought us out to let us know.

Take things slow with this one. If you have no other pets, then this should be fairly smooth sailing. Make sure you remind them often where they can find their food, water, and litterbox. If you have current pets this can be scary and dangerous. Kittens should start with everything they need in a separate room from other pets. Slowly begin introducing one pet at a time for short amounts of time. Dogs, if friendly are usually easier than other cats. Cats are generally territorial so bringing a new stranger into their territory can be nerve wracking. Do not ever force them to be near each other. Allow plenty of space and a way to escape. It can take weeks for them to start warming up. Always supervise interactions and separate them if you are going to be gone (no one wants to come home to terrible accidents). Remember to be patient here and take as much time as your pets need. Remember to allow for positive experiences. Take things slow with this one. If you have no other pets, then this should be fairly smooth sailing. Make sure you remind them often where they can find their food, water, and litterbox. If you have current pets this can be scary and dangerous. Kittens should start with everything they need in a separate room from other pets. Slowly begin introducing one pet at a time for short amounts of time. Dogs, if friendly are usually easier than other cats. Cats are generally territorial so bringing a new stranger into their territory can be nerve wracking. Do not ever force them to be near each other. Allow plenty of space and a way to escape. It can take weeks for them to start warming up. Always supervise interactions and separate them if you are going to be gone (no one wants to come home to terrible accidents). Remember to be patient here and take as much time as your pets need. Remember to allow for positive experiences. 

We have done exceptionally well in teaching our children to be respectful of all animals. This takes constant reminders when they are young. Not all parents teach these things to their children, if you have or if you haven’t, it is your job as the responsible adult to make sure that your pets are always having positive experiences. Be mindful of visiting children. I always remind my children and visiting children; the kittens are not toys, if they want to go you need to let them, don’t hurt them or squeeze them, we don’t hit them, we need to give them space if they want it, and we don’t use our hands to play with them (always offer an alternative toy).

•Alcohol 

•Avocados 

•Candy (especially that is sweetened with xylitol  

•Caffeinated Beverages 

•Chives 

•Chocolate 

•Cooked Bones 

•Dairy Products (including milk) 

•Grapes (raisins) 

•Onions 

•Raw Yeast Dough 

•Spoiled Meat 

When I was a new pet owner just starting out in the world, I never thought about things that could potentially harm your pets INSIDE your home. I learned through experience and TONS of research about all the dangerous things that could potentially harm your pets. 

I am a huge plant owner. I have close to 100 indoor plants. My dogs never bothered them, but the thought of little kittens and the old saying curiosity killed the cat was stressful to say the least. During all my research I discovered that about half of my plants could potentially kill my cats. I have since gotten rid of quite a few of my plants. Most of them however, I relocated to places in my house where the cats (more importantly the kittens) would not be able to get into them. I have found that as my cats age they don’t have quite as much interest in eating strange things. I have included the most comprehensive list of plants that could potentially harm your cats in the link below. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

Make sure that your cats cannot get to power cords. They love to chew on them. This obviously can harm your cat in multiple ways. Best to just figure out a way to keep them tucked away.

Be cautious of the breakable things you have. Cats love to climb on everything they aren’t supposed to. The last thing you want to have to worry about is that sentimental vase that belonged to your grandmother getting knocked off the shelf onto the floor and shattering everywhere. Your cat, you, or a child could potentially be severely cut by one of those pieces of glass. Not to mention the irreplaceable significance. Heavy items such as bookshelves may also need to be secured so they won’t fall on your kitten.

Another thing worth mentioning is the cords from your blinds. The devastation that could come from your cat getting tangled up in the cords is heartbreaking. Better to just keep them out of your cats reach.

•Antifreeze 

•Batteries 

•De-icing Salts

•Dog Shampoos 

•Fertilizers. 

•Flea and Tick Medications 

•Fresh or Dried Flower Arrangements (refer back to the toxic plant list)

•Washer and Dryer 

•Household Cleaners 

•Insecticides and Pesticides

•Medications (unsecured that fell to the floor) 

•Moth Balls  

•Open Fireplaces 

•Pencil Lead 

•Perfumes 

•Pools or Hot Tubs 

•Razors 

•Rodent Killer

•Small Items That Could Be Eaten and Swallowed 

•Stove Tops 

•Tobacco Products 

•Unsecured Screens on Open Windows 

•Antifreeze 

•Batteries 

•De-icing Salts

•Dog Shampoos 

•Fertilizers. 

•Flea and Tick Medications 

•Fresh or Dried Flower Arrangements (refer back to the toxic plant list)

•Washer and Dryer 

•Household Cleaners 

•Insecticides and Pesticides

•Medications (unsecured that fell to the floor) 

•Moth Balls  

•Open Fireplaces 

•Pencil Lead 

•Perfumes 

•Pools or Hot Tubs 

•Razors 

•Rodent Killer

•Small Items That Could Be Eaten and Swallowed 

•Stove Tops 

•Tobacco Products 

•Unsecured Screens on Open Windows 

If you think your cat has been poisoned, you can reach out to the Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435.  

•Breathing problems 

•Confusion 

•Coughing 

•Depression 

•Diarrhea 

•Dilated pupils 

•Drinking more and urinating more 

•Upset stomach 

•A lot of saliva 

•Seizures 

•Shivering 

•Skin irritation 

•Tremors 

•Vomiting 

•Weakness