Essentials for kitten’s – a useful checklist

Before you collect your new furry bundle of joy there are a few ways to prepare. Kittens can be playful and adventurous, so ensuring you have all the equipment you need to help nurture them into adulthood and beyond can be really useful.

Firstly you need to allocate a sensible space that your kitten can eat, sleep and play in – we found that a utility room works especially well! Your kitten’s basic needs will need to be met, this means making sure you have good quality kitten food, adequate bowls for water and food and a litter tray (and poop scoop!) before you collect your new feline friend. Shopping for new pets can be a minefield, with many product varieties and brands available so here’s the know-how on what to buy:

• Good quality kitten food – there are many cat food brands out there and many different options for kittens that include specially formulated levels of protein, which is essential for their growth. Deciding on whether to give your kitten wet or dry food is your choice, however you’ll soon find out which one your kitten prefers!

• Uncovered litter box (with low sides for easy entry) - these are available in most pet shops or online and come in many different colours – we suggest getting a larger tray so that it can be used as your kitten grows into an adult (and less litter will end up on the floor!) When first introducing a kitten into your home is it recommended to keep them in for a while so they get to know their surroundings (speak to your vet if you have further questions or concerns about this).

• Scoopable litter – there are different options available, both scented and unscented and come in many forms, such as wood pellets, clumping clay, silica gel crystals, corn and pine to name a few! We suggest using the same litter they have been used to in their previous home, to avoid any accidents as they will be able to find the tray easily, then you can try out other varieties.

• Scratching post - to help keep your kitten entertained and to prevent the little darlings scratching your furniture, walls and curtains! Not only do scratching posts help to keep your kittens claws sharp, they also provide them with a platform for exercise and stretching their muscles.

• Soft grooming brush – this is only a necessity if you are planning on purchasing a long haired cat and is required to maintain their fur and prevent knots.

• Interactive play toys – such as wands, mouse toys, balls, laser pens and many more!

• A soft and cozy bed - that your new feline friend can call their own, this should provide them with a safe, comforting place to sleep.

• Cat carrier – an essential for the transportation of your new kitten to your home and to as well as to and from the vets for their jabs and check-ups.

• Cat treats – these can be used for training your kitten and rewarding any good behaviour. Some treats are even designed to help reduce fur balls!

We hope this checklist helps you to be as prepared as possible before bringing your new kitten into your home, and they settle in easily and quickly to your family life!

Did you find this checklist useful or have any other items that you would recommend to new kitten owners? We’d love to hear them! Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or Instagram and join our Paws & Claws community.

Energetic kittens - how to keep them entertained

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and add a furry friend to your family, but the question is how can you keep these cute and cuddly kittens entertained, so they don’t behave like such cheeky monkeys?!

Naturally kittens will be inquisitive, fearless and playful, it’s all part of their learning process and is derived from their hunting instinct. This learning also aids brain development (in the same way a human child develops). Kittens are born with the desire to chase moving objects and pounce on anything that catches their eye, whilst you can never eliminate this completely (as they are hard wired to hunt) you will be able to entertain your kitten for short bursts of time.

We’ve compiled a list of our top items to help your new furry friend from bouncing off the walls (and curtains!)

Scratching posts – we found that there are many different types available to buy online and in the shops, from basic to luxury there is a scratching post to suit all! However our favourite are the ‘play and scratch’ types as these not only encourage your kitten to entertain themselves, but also help to preserve your furniture too!

Laser pen – it is advised not to have pro-longed use of a laser pen and to stimulate your cats play with other toys, however in short bursts a laser pen can provide fun entertainment for your kitten as long as this is done in a safe manner (don’t point the laser beam directly in your cats eyes, bear in mind the time span of each session and keep your kitty entertained with other, more physical toys too).

Toys – there are a huge variety of toys available for kittens and cats to play with. These range from cat feeding exercise balls (which help to increase feline activity and decrease excessive eating), wand toys (which mean you can engage your cats natural instinct to chase and hunt), squeaky cat toys (provide extra stimulus for your kitten to play with) and the classic mouse and jingley toys.

Technology – with the ever advancing world of technology there are now apps that you can use to amuse your kitty, from your classic catch-the-mouse type game to laser pen stimulus and fishing, there’s a few to choose from! We found that our kittens liked the ‘GoCat Cat Fishing’ app best (available to download for free on the iTunes store).

However you choose to entertain your feline friend, we hope they settle in quickly and become part of the family!

Have you got any hints or tips to help other cat owners keep their new kittens happy and entertained that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear them! Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or Instagram and join our Paws & Claws community. Also, if you’re not already signed up to our Paws & Claws newsletter, click here to receive the latest edition to your inbox!

Why should you choose to rescue a pet?

Adoption myths exposed.

If you’ve decided you want to bring a new fluffy bundle of joy into your household, we couldn’t be more excited for you! No matter what pet you choose, you’ll be blown away by how rewarding and enjoyable the experience is.

Before you make your final decision, have you considered rescuing a pet?

Dogs and cats end up in shelters and rescue homes for a variety of reasons; sometimes owners become too old or unwell to care for their animals, and often others just don’t have the time to provide animals with the life they truly deserve. Shelters can be full of beautiful, healthy, well-tempered cats and dogs, perfect for all sorts of lifestyles.

So, if you’re ready for a new pet, why not consider providing one of these animals a forever home?

Adoption myths debunked

The stigmas surrounding animal shelters simply aren’t true! Here are some common beliefs:

#1: Shelter animals are unpredictable – you don’t know what you’re getting.

Not all pets are rescued from abandonment or mistreatment. Lots of pets that come into rescue homes come from private, loving owners or foster homes. Their temperaments, health and behaviour can be confirmed by staff, thus all pets can be easily matched to your lifestyle. If the pet has come to the shelter from a loving home, they will often be well trained and socialised, meaning they can easily adapt to you and your family.

#2: You can’t get purebreds or kittens/puppies from shelters.

You’d be incredibly surprised how many purebreds are currently sitting in rescue homes, and sometimes whole litters of puppies/kittens come in last minute. You may even find a breed-specific shelter in your area, if you take some time to research. Mixed breed dogs can be just as lovely as purebreds, too, and shelters are a great place to take some time to meet all sorts of different personalities. 

#3: Animals in shelters have something wrong with them.

Pets are given up for all sorts of reasons, none of which are the pet’s fault:

• Owners are moving house
• Owners can no longer afford the pet
• Owners no longer have time to train or care for the pet
• Owners didn’t neuter or spay their pets, and can’t look after any offspring

Shelter pets are healthy and ready to go, often with just a small donation. Make sure your pet insurance policy is in order, and you’re set!

You’ll never know what could be waiting for you unless you take the time to look.

Do you know someone who is considering getting a new pet? Do you have any stories or tips of your own? Let us know! Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter or Instagram and join our Paws & Claws community!

Hay fever in animals: how can pollen allergies affect my pet?

Hay fever in animals: How can pollen allergies affect my pet?

The weather is warming up, the sun is finally showing its face, the flowers and crops are all in bloom.

This all sounds lovely, doesn’t it?

Except to those of us who suffer from hay fever!

Warmer weather means a higher pollen count, and many of you will be fully aware of how irritating and uncomfortable allergies can be. From sneezing and itchy eyes to constant runny noses, pollen allergies can be really nasty throughout the summer months.

But did you know that animals, including cats and dogs, can also struggle with the effects of hay fever? Although it’s not quite so easy to spot hay fever in pets, there are a few key tell-tale signs to keep an eye out for:

• Inflamed/red and irritated eyes;
• Excessive scratching, biting and licking (especially the paws);
• Drowsiness and
• Sore itchy ears

There are a variety of ways to combat the effects of pollen allergies but, surprise surprise, the main suggestion is to avoid long grass and fresh flowerbeds. If your dog is often seen running through fields with the wind in their ears, consider keeping them on a lead in particularly dense areas. Similarly for cats, if your furry feline is an intrepid explorer, try to groom them regularly and wipe their paws when they return home.

Get rid of remaining pollen on the fur with weekly baths, and always ensure pet beds are cleaned often. Regular hoovering of the house is also advised! Perhaps it’s time to teach your pet a new ‘trick’…?

If your cat or dog shows any of the above symptoms, and doesn’t seem to be their normal self, take them straight to a vet who can provide further advice and treatments. Check that your pet insurance policy covers you for any treatments when visiting the vet.

Have tips to help in the summer months or stories about your cat and dog you’d like to share? We’d love to hear them! Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or Instagram and join our Paws & Claws community.  

Kittens – What to Expect When Your Cat is Expecting

Above and Below: Missy and her kittens

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – nope, not Christmas, but ‘Kitten Season’!

We are thrilled to be seeing an influx of little kittens that are brought into the world during spring and summer. Seeing your beloved queen (yes, you heard right a pregnant cat is referred to as a queen!) give birth to a litter of kittens can be an exciting but nerve wracking time.

To guide you on what to expect, we’ve compiled our top tips, for pregnancy and labour, from our very own first-hand experience;

1. Is your cat pregnant or getting a bit of a food baby like the rest of us?! Initially it can be extremely hard to tell if your cat is pregnant, but after a few weeks there will be subtle indications of pregnancy, including a change in the nipple colour, change in appetite and occasionally nausea/ vomiting. Later on into the pregnancy it will become obvious that there are little bundles of fur growing inside – from our experience, Missy, our beloved tabby looked like she had swallowed an American football whole!

2. As with most things, preparation is key! It’s best to have everything to hand 3 weeks before the potential due date –

• Find somewhere quiet and warm that you can suggest as a birthing bed and encourage your queen to relax here before the birth. (We found that a clean cardboard box, lined with a towel or blanket does the trick, however some cats do reject their suggested birthing bed, this is entirely normal!)
• Have a bag ready that includes essential items, such as disposable gloves and extra clean towels.

3. Keep a close eye on your feline friend nearing the end of her pregnancy, looking out for any signs of eminent labour (that includes your cat becoming increasingly vocal, restless and constantly washing herself). 

4. Keep your local vet’s number and the out-of-hours vet number pinned to your notice board in case of an emergency.

5. Labour can last up to 24 hours, so during this time make sure you give your cat space, we know it’s hard to just sit back and relax but her natural instinct will kick in and she will react accordingly. (Contact your vet if there are any major signs of stress, bleeding or abnormalities).

6. Directly after the birth of her kittens she may eat the placenta(s), don’t worry this is completely normal and can help to replenish any nutrients lost during labour!

7. Finally it is advised to allow between 1-2 days before handling the kittens as this will give mum time to bond with her babies and not reject any of them.

We hope this insight into cat labour and kittens helps those of you take care of your cat during this precious time, as in all cases should you require further medical advice please contact your vet. To help with any emergencies or unplanned costs, having pet insurance will help cover costs. 

Have you experience of a cat birthing kittens? We’d love to hear your stories and tips for our fellow cat owners over on our Twitter, or Facebook pages.