Caring for a cat

Before your kitten comes home

Choose a vet and book a visit for the first week. Bring the vaccination, deworming and vet check records from the seller.

Set up a quiet room to start with: a litter box, food and water bowls, a bed, a scratching post and a few toys. Let your kitten explore the rest of the home gradually.

Ask what your kitten eats now and feed the same food at first. Change food gradually over a week or more if you need to.

Vaccines, parasites and check-ups

Kittens need a series of vaccines a few weeks apart until about 16 weeks old, then boosters. Rabies vaccination is required in many provinces and states. Your vet will advise on others, such as FeLV, based on your cat's lifestyle.

Ask your vet about deworming and flea control, and see them at least once a year (twice a year for older cats).

Spay or neuter your cat unless you have a breeding agreement with the breeder; it prevents unwanted litters and some health and behaviour problems.

Food and water

Cats are carnivores. Feed a complete and balanced cat food for their life stage; many cats do well with some wet food, which helps them drink more.

Keep fresh water available; many cats like a water fountain. Keep your cat lean, and watch for weight gain after spaying or neutering.

Lilies (every part, even pollen) are deadly to cats. Also keep away onions and garlic, chocolate, grapes and raisins, alcohol, and dog flea products, which can poison cats.

Litter boxes

Have one more litter box than you have cats, in quiet places, and scoop them every day. Most cats prefer large, uncovered boxes with unscented clumping litter.

A cat that stops using the box may be unwell; see your vet. A male cat straining to pee without passing anything is an emergency.

Play, climbing and scratching

Play with your cat every day with wand toys they can chase and catch. Food puzzles and window perches keep them busy.

Give them high places to climb and safe places to hide, and sturdy scratching posts so they don't use your furniture. Declawing is banned or discouraged in many places; scratching posts and nail trims are the answer.

Indoors and outdoors

Indoor cats are safe from traffic, predators and fights and usually live longer. A screened balcony or catio gives safe fresh air. Many breeders ask that their kittens live indoors.

Microchip your cat and keep their registration details up to date.

What to ask the breeder

Ask to see where the kittens are raised and to meet the mother. Ask what health tests the parents have had for their breed (such as heart scans or DNA tests) and to see the results.

A careful breeder will ask you questions too, give you records and a written contract, and want to hear from you if you ever can't keep the cat.