Kitten Care
Settling your kitten
One kitten or two?
The first days settling into a new home will always be scary for a new kitten. We provide a familiar smelling blanket and favourite toy in the kitten packs to help reassure the kittens and if you need any advice we are only a phonecall away.
Make sure your kitten has somewhere where they feel safe with a cosy bed and a litter tray close by. Your kitten will appreciate a warm heat pad to snuggle up to when not cuddled up to you. The kitten may not venture far for the first few days and she may hide where she feels safe but, give her time and she will soon feel at home. Give your kitten lots of reassurance and quiet cuddles in the first few days. Remember she is used to being with her brothers and sisters and is probably missing her mum. Kittens will want to be with you for comfort and do not like being left by themselves for very long. Kittens in pairs will often settle much quicker with each other to cuddle up with.
One Cat or Two?
Siamese are very social and demanding animals that need a lot of attention. They do not like to be left alone for long periods and can become very unhappy. If you do spend time away from home, such as work, we would always strongly recommend two kittens or a kitten with an existing cat.
Other Pets
Take introductions to existing pets slowly and ensure they both have their own safe areas to retreat to if they feel overwhelmed. Often it will only take a few days of grumbling before they are curled up together, but if you need any advice on this, please ask.
Make sure your kitten has somewhere where they feel safe with a cosy bed and a litter tray close by. Your kitten will appreciate a warm heat pad to snuggle up to when not cuddled up to you. The kitten may not venture far for the first few days and she may hide where she feels safe but, give her time and she will soon feel at home. Give your kitten lots of reassurance and quiet cuddles in the first few days. Remember she is used to being with her brothers and sisters and is probably missing her mum. Kittens will want to be with you for comfort and do not like being left by themselves for very long. Kittens in pairs will often settle much quicker with each other to cuddle up with.
One Cat or Two?
Siamese are very social and demanding animals that need a lot of attention. They do not like to be left alone for long periods and can become very unhappy. If you do spend time away from home, such as work, we would always strongly recommend two kittens or a kitten with an existing cat.
Other Pets
Take introductions to existing pets slowly and ensure they both have their own safe areas to retreat to if they feel overwhelmed. Often it will only take a few days of grumbling before they are curled up together, but if you need any advice on this, please ask.
Food
Dinner Time
Meal Times
We feed our cats and kittens a range of high quality food wet and dry food so when they go their new homes they will be used to and enjoy lots of different types of food. We always provide food samples of their wet and dry food in the kitten packs for their first few days as well as a voucher for Royal Canin food.
Kittens need 3-4 meals per day for their first year and they also like to nibble on dry food. We like to offer wet food at meal times and then dry food is left out all the time. Siamese kittens are very athletic and need lots of food for energy while they are growing up. Although it is possible to feed a dry food only diet, we find our cats enjoy their wet food at mealtimes.
What makes a good food?
Good quality foods tend to be ones that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates and grains which are not part of a cat's natural diet. Most cat foods are complete foods which mean they contain everything your cat needs, but some foods, such as Applaws, are complementary foods that should not form the main part of your cat's diet. The better quality the food, the less filler will be in it and so your cat will need less food to get all the nutrients it needs. Another benefit of this is a cleaner litter tray!
There are a wide range of kitten foods on the market for kittens up to twelve or eighteen months as kittens need more energy rich foods than adult cats. We are happy to discuss the different choices as you make the important decision about what to feed your cat.
Wet Food
Our kittens are fed mainly on Bozita (a high quality Swedish cat food available from Zooplus) and for variety this is supplemented with premium supermarket cat foods such as Gourmet, Hi Life and Luxury pates. In addition to this, our cats and kittens enjoy regular treats such as roast chicken, beef mince, white fish and tuna.
Dry Food
Good quality dry foods include Orijin and Acana (high protein and grain free food available from Zooplus) and Applaws Dry. Royal Canin have a large range of dry foods suitable for every stage and lifestyle including kitten, indoor and Siamese specific kibbles. Included in the kitten packs are Royal Canin Kitten kibble and a Royal Canin food voucher.
Raw Feeding
There is a strong argument for feeding cats raw meat as a more biologically appropriate food than commercial cat food. If you are interested in raw feeding and its health benefits we would be happy to discuss this with you. At times our kittens recieve specially prepared raw minces available from Natural Instinct. However we would not recommend homemade raw mince due to difficulties of preparing a nutritionally appropriate food that meets all your cat's needs.
Water
Cats and kittens need a constant supply of fresh water in either a bowl or water fountain. Water fountains have recently become very popular as they keep the filtered water fresh and encourage your cat to drink more. Please do not give your cat milk to drink as many cats are lactose intolerant.
We feed our cats and kittens a range of high quality food wet and dry food so when they go their new homes they will be used to and enjoy lots of different types of food. We always provide food samples of their wet and dry food in the kitten packs for their first few days as well as a voucher for Royal Canin food.
Kittens need 3-4 meals per day for their first year and they also like to nibble on dry food. We like to offer wet food at meal times and then dry food is left out all the time. Siamese kittens are very athletic and need lots of food for energy while they are growing up. Although it is possible to feed a dry food only diet, we find our cats enjoy their wet food at mealtimes.
What makes a good food?
Good quality foods tend to be ones that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates and grains which are not part of a cat's natural diet. Most cat foods are complete foods which mean they contain everything your cat needs, but some foods, such as Applaws, are complementary foods that should not form the main part of your cat's diet. The better quality the food, the less filler will be in it and so your cat will need less food to get all the nutrients it needs. Another benefit of this is a cleaner litter tray!
There are a wide range of kitten foods on the market for kittens up to twelve or eighteen months as kittens need more energy rich foods than adult cats. We are happy to discuss the different choices as you make the important decision about what to feed your cat.
Wet Food
Our kittens are fed mainly on Bozita (a high quality Swedish cat food available from Zooplus) and for variety this is supplemented with premium supermarket cat foods such as Gourmet, Hi Life and Luxury pates. In addition to this, our cats and kittens enjoy regular treats such as roast chicken, beef mince, white fish and tuna.
Dry Food
Good quality dry foods include Orijin and Acana (high protein and grain free food available from Zooplus) and Applaws Dry. Royal Canin have a large range of dry foods suitable for every stage and lifestyle including kitten, indoor and Siamese specific kibbles. Included in the kitten packs are Royal Canin Kitten kibble and a Royal Canin food voucher.
Raw Feeding
There is a strong argument for feeding cats raw meat as a more biologically appropriate food than commercial cat food. If you are interested in raw feeding and its health benefits we would be happy to discuss this with you. At times our kittens recieve specially prepared raw minces available from Natural Instinct. However we would not recommend homemade raw mince due to difficulties of preparing a nutritionally appropriate food that meets all your cat's needs.
Water
Cats and kittens need a constant supply of fresh water in either a bowl or water fountain. Water fountains have recently become very popular as they keep the filtered water fresh and encourage your cat to drink more. Please do not give your cat milk to drink as many cats are lactose intolerant.
Beds
Which Bed?
Siamese cats originated from Thailand and their thin coats are more suitable for hotter climates than ours. Siamese are real heat lovers and can always be found snuggled into cozy beds, warm laps, under duvets or next to radiators and fires. Cats spend a large proportion of their day sleeping so finding the right bed is important!
Heated Beds
The kittens are born into a covered heated bed and they choose to sleep there until they leave for their new homes. We leave the heated bed on all year round and all the cats love to sleep there. This also saves on heating bills to keep them warm through our cold winters.
There is a range of heated beds for cats on the market ranging from microwave pads to flexible vinyl heated pads. We would recommend FGR Innovations for good quality fibreglass heated beds. We also use Snugglesafes that heat in the microwave in minutes and last up to ten hours.
Beds & Blankets
Cats love to snuggle in soft, fluffy blankets. Vet bed is an excellent lining for baskets and even heated beds. It is soft, warm and easily washable. Fleece and wool blankets are also excellent bedding for cats.
Cats like to sleep in safe dens and will appreciate their own special place. Some cats prefer hooded cat dens where they can have some privacy while they sleep while others like to stretch out in baskets. I've never known a cat yet that could resist a cardboard box!
Siamese cats originated from Thailand and their thin coats are more suitable for hotter climates than ours. Siamese are real heat lovers and can always be found snuggled into cozy beds, warm laps, under duvets or next to radiators and fires. Cats spend a large proportion of their day sleeping so finding the right bed is important!
Heated Beds
The kittens are born into a covered heated bed and they choose to sleep there until they leave for their new homes. We leave the heated bed on all year round and all the cats love to sleep there. This also saves on heating bills to keep them warm through our cold winters.
There is a range of heated beds for cats on the market ranging from microwave pads to flexible vinyl heated pads. We would recommend FGR Innovations for good quality fibreglass heated beds. We also use Snugglesafes that heat in the microwave in minutes and last up to ten hours.
Beds & Blankets
Cats love to snuggle in soft, fluffy blankets. Vet bed is an excellent lining for baskets and even heated beds. It is soft, warm and easily washable. Fleece and wool blankets are also excellent bedding for cats.
Cats like to sleep in safe dens and will appreciate their own special place. Some cats prefer hooded cat dens where they can have some privacy while they sleep while others like to stretch out in baskets. I've never known a cat yet that could resist a cardboard box!
Litter
There is a wide choice of cat litter on the market including clumping, crystals and wood or paper pellets. We use Oko Best clumping cat litter which is available from Pets At Home and Zooplus.
While your kitten is settling in, make sure there is always a litter tray in the same room and the kitten knows where it is. All kittens are fully litter trained when they go to their new homes but they are only babies and accidents will occasionally happen. If it does, make sure all trace and odour is removed and then pop a tray on the spot for a few days. Never reprimand your kitten for an accident.
A general rule of thumb is one litter tray per cat plus one. So for three cats we would recommend having four litter trays available. Our cats use hooded litter trays for cleanliness and privacy and to reduce litter tracking.
While your kitten is settling in, make sure there is always a litter tray in the same room and the kitten knows where it is. All kittens are fully litter trained when they go to their new homes but they are only babies and accidents will occasionally happen. If it does, make sure all trace and odour is removed and then pop a tray on the spot for a few days. Never reprimand your kitten for an accident.
A general rule of thumb is one litter tray per cat plus one. So for three cats we would recommend having four litter trays available. Our cats use hooded litter trays for cleanliness and privacy and to reduce litter tracking.
Playtime
Catnip Kicker
Siamese kittens are extremely active and agile so need to be provided with a high level of stimulation. The best way to ensure this is another Siamese kitten; cats love to play together and are much more fun in pairs!
Cat Trees
Cat trees are a super way to allow your kitten to climb and protect your furniture from scatching. Kittens love to sleep in a cosy nook up high or chase each other up and down the tree. Zooplus have a good selection of cat trees and Tesco often have special offers on scratching posts.
All kittens are scratch post trained when they leave home however this must be continued in their new homes by providing scratching posts or cat trees.
Cat Toys
The kitten pack includes your kitten's favourite toy to play with in their new home. We have tried many different toys and have found the best to be little fluffy mice that the kittens can carry around in their mouths. They also love a game with a toy fishing rod with feathers on the end (Da Bird or feather danglers) and will often drag the whole rod off growling! Another favourite is catnip filled 'kickers' such as Kong Kitten Kickers. Zooplus has a wide selection of these toys and tunnels.
Siamese cats are often natural retrievers and will send hours playing fetch with a toy mouse or fluffy ball. Be warned that once your cat starts playing fetch, you will become tired of the game long before they do!
A very simple toy is a paper bag or cardboard box with holes cut out of it and my cats will play with these for hours before finally curling up and going to sleep in one.
Cat Trees
Cat trees are a super way to allow your kitten to climb and protect your furniture from scatching. Kittens love to sleep in a cosy nook up high or chase each other up and down the tree. Zooplus have a good selection of cat trees and Tesco often have special offers on scratching posts.
All kittens are scratch post trained when they leave home however this must be continued in their new homes by providing scratching posts or cat trees.
Cat Toys
The kitten pack includes your kitten's favourite toy to play with in their new home. We have tried many different toys and have found the best to be little fluffy mice that the kittens can carry around in their mouths. They also love a game with a toy fishing rod with feathers on the end (Da Bird or feather danglers) and will often drag the whole rod off growling! Another favourite is catnip filled 'kickers' such as Kong Kitten Kickers. Zooplus has a wide selection of these toys and tunnels.
Siamese cats are often natural retrievers and will send hours playing fetch with a toy mouse or fluffy ball. Be warned that once your cat starts playing fetch, you will become tired of the game long before they do!
A very simple toy is a paper bag or cardboard box with holes cut out of it and my cats will play with these for hours before finally curling up and going to sleep in one.
Healthcare
Cat Run
Vaccinations
All kittens are vaccinated against feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, chlamydophila felis and feline panleucopenia. This is a course of two injections usually at ten and fourteen weeks of age and then the kittens are ready to leave home a week after the last vaccination. At the same time the vet will give the kittens an all over health check.
Cats will need a booster vaccination every year and your kitten will be due their first booster a year after their last vaccination. Please ensure you book your appointment within a month of the booster being due to avoid having to start the vaccination process anew.
Worming
Kittens are wormed at four, eight and twelve weeks ready for their new homes. Cats require worming monthly for the first six months and then three monthly after this. We use Panacur liquid which is available, as well as other good wormers, from your vet or Pets At Home. These are much more effective than wormers that you can buy 'off the shelf'.
Cliping Claws
We regularly clip our cats' claws and the kittens should be used to this by the time they leave home although some cats are more relaxed about this then others! Please ask if you would like any advice or a demonstration of this.
Inside or Outside?
Our kittens are only available to indoor homes or homes with safe access to an enclosed outdoor area such as a cat run or cat proof garden. If you plan to allow your cat outdoor access please discuss this with us first.
All kittens are vaccinated against feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, chlamydophila felis and feline panleucopenia. This is a course of two injections usually at ten and fourteen weeks of age and then the kittens are ready to leave home a week after the last vaccination. At the same time the vet will give the kittens an all over health check.
Cats will need a booster vaccination every year and your kitten will be due their first booster a year after their last vaccination. Please ensure you book your appointment within a month of the booster being due to avoid having to start the vaccination process anew.
Worming
Kittens are wormed at four, eight and twelve weeks ready for their new homes. Cats require worming monthly for the first six months and then three monthly after this. We use Panacur liquid which is available, as well as other good wormers, from your vet or Pets At Home. These are much more effective than wormers that you can buy 'off the shelf'.
Cliping Claws
We regularly clip our cats' claws and the kittens should be used to this by the time they leave home although some cats are more relaxed about this then others! Please ask if you would like any advice or a demonstration of this.
Inside or Outside?
Our kittens are only available to indoor homes or homes with safe access to an enclosed outdoor area such as a cat run or cat proof garden. If you plan to allow your cat outdoor access please discuss this with us first.
Home Safety
Kittens are, by nature, adverturous and mischievious and love to explore. Usually kittens will not try to climb or jump higher than they can manage safely however there are some dangers to watch out for.
Please ensure fishtanks and other drowning hazards such as toilets are safely covered and there are no heavy items that are likely to fall on your kitten. Watch out for other dangers such as chewing electrical cables and be aware of which plants are poinsonous to your kitten. There is a full list of poisonous plants available from FAB cats (Feline Advisory Bureau).
We strongly recommend you insure your kitten to help with vet costs in the case of an accident.
Please ensure fishtanks and other drowning hazards such as toilets are safely covered and there are no heavy items that are likely to fall on your kitten. Watch out for other dangers such as chewing electrical cables and be aware of which plants are poinsonous to your kitten. There is a full list of poisonous plants available from FAB cats (Feline Advisory Bureau).
We strongly recommend you insure your kitten to help with vet costs in the case of an accident.
Neutering
All kittens are sold on the Non-Active register which means they are not for breeding. We also ask all prospective owners to sign a kitten contract that their kitten will be neutered by six months of age. We strongly recommend neutering to avoid health problems for your cat and unwanted behaviours such as spraying, calling and straying.
Early Neutering
We are currently considering early neutering of our kittens before they go to their new homes. This means a qucker recovery time for the kitten and less worry or cost to you! We are happy to discuss this further with you.
Early Neutering
We are currently considering early neutering of our kittens before they go to their new homes. This means a qucker recovery time for the kitten and less worry or cost to you! We are happy to discuss this further with you.
Rehoming
We will always take a kitten back immediately if you are unable to look after her. We ask all prospective owners to sign a kitten contract agreeing to give a kitten back rather than try to rehome them yourself. The reason we ask this is that we would prefer to find a good home for a kitten ourselves and we like to know where our kittens are and how they are doing.
If you do ever encounter problems in caring for your cat or kitten, please let us know and we will be able to provide advice and help. Each kitten comes with a lifetime guarentee of support from us and we are only a phonecall away.
We also love hearing how your kitten is doing and would be delighted if you kept in touch. One of the best things about being a breeder is hearing about and seeing photos of the kittens grow up and know how happy they have made a family.
If you do ever encounter problems in caring for your cat or kitten, please let us know and we will be able to provide advice and help. Each kitten comes with a lifetime guarentee of support from us and we are only a phonecall away.
We also love hearing how your kitten is doing and would be delighted if you kept in touch. One of the best things about being a breeder is hearing about and seeing photos of the kittens grow up and know how happy they have made a family.
