Acclimatisation Advice
Please remember that this is your kitten's first time away from the only home it has ever known, and it will probably be insecure and confused at first. Give the baby time, and don't expect it to be best friends with you straight away. Keep the kitten's introduction to other family members and pets as quiet and stress-free and possible, and most of all, give it time to become used to the new surroundings.
Show the kitten it's litter box, food and water as soon as you get it home, and then be prepared for accidents. However, don't spank the baby if it misses it's litter box. Rather, pick it up, put it in it's box, and make digging motions with it's front paws.
Young kittens sometimes forget where their boxes are, or suddenly realise that they have to go now. This is normal, and will pass quickly.
Introduce the kitten to one room at a time; offer encouragement and petting, but allow it to explore in it's own time. After baby is comfortable and settled downin the first room, allow it to proceed to others. Try not to startle the kitten, and again, remember that this is a stressful time.
Your kitten has had both series of kitten vaccinations, and is in good health. However, it is not unusual for a new kitten to hide, be skittish, or refuse to eat for a couple of days. Give lots of petting, soft speech and encouragement, and you'll find that the kitten will quickly adjust.
Show the kitten it's litter box, food and water as soon as you get it home, and then be prepared for accidents. However, don't spank the baby if it misses it's litter box. Rather, pick it up, put it in it's box, and make digging motions with it's front paws.
Young kittens sometimes forget where their boxes are, or suddenly realise that they have to go now. This is normal, and will pass quickly.
Introduce the kitten to one room at a time; offer encouragement and petting, but allow it to explore in it's own time. After baby is comfortable and settled downin the first room, allow it to proceed to others. Try not to startle the kitten, and again, remember that this is a stressful time.
Your kitten has had both series of kitten vaccinations, and is in good health. However, it is not unusual for a new kitten to hide, be skittish, or refuse to eat for a couple of days. Give lots of petting, soft speech and encouragement, and you'll find that the kitten will quickly adjust.
Be aware that the kitten may cry on the first couple of nights. Although it is completely weaned, it is used to being around lots of other cats, and the baby misses Mum, siblings, the smells of 'home', and is scared and lonely. As soon as baby makes friends with you, this crying will stop.
Other Pets: If you have other pets, wait until the kitten is settled and comfortable before bringing in other animals, one at a time. Do not leave the kitten alone with the other pet(s) until you are certain that they are good friends (this may be several weeks!). We have found that using a kitten pen to be very useful when settling baby with other pets, as it allows them to see and smell each other, but not to chase or fight with each other.
Food: Your kitten is completely weaned, and has been eating Iams Hairball dry biscuits (there isn't a 'kitten' version of this food, but it is a high quality food and contains all of the nutrients required). Food and fresh water should be available at all times.
If you choose to top up your kitten's biscuits with wet food, we recommend only very high meat content foods so as not to upset baby's tummy. Some foods that we have found to be very good are Porta 21 canned food (available from Zooplus), and Nature's Menu pouches (available from Pets at Home). Alternatively, plain chicken or fish that you have cooked at home will be a wonderful treat for you baby.
Contrary to popular belief, cow's milk isn't good for cats, as most can't digest it properly and consequently get diarrhoea.
Safety: Before you let your kitten loose in your home, check for the following safety hazards -
> Electrical and phone cords left dangling
> Toilet lids left up - a kitten can easily drown in a toilet bowl, or be poisoned by rim or cistern blocks
> Reclining chars and sofabeds - the mechanism of these can easily crush a kitten who has crawled inside
> Fringe or any loose trim - kittens have been known to strangle when their heads get twisted in the fringe, or in a hole between trim and fabric
> Dangling curtain or blind cords - another invitation to strangulation
> Accessible rubbish - especially any kind of bones - bones can either splinter and perforate the stomach or intestines, or form an intestinal blockage
> Needles and/or thread, knitting and/or crocheting materials
> Rubber bands - they can wrap around the intestines
> Cling film - it turns glassy in the stomach and can cause lacerations
> Plastic wrap - the kitten can eat it, strangle on it, or suffocate in it
> Plastic bags - a kitten can become trapped and suffocate, or get it's head tangled in the loop and panic
> Polystyrene - especially packing 'peanuts', which the kitten may eat
> Cigarettes - yes, they'll eat them
> Toys with easily removed and swallowed parts
> Christmas tree decorations, tinsel and tree needles
> Open fridges, dishwashers, microwaves, ovens, washing machines and tumble dryers - always check for kittens before shutting and turning on any appliance.
> Put away feathers and toys attached to string after use - kittens and cats will often eat feathers and swallow string
> Kittens like to taste almost everything - keep all cleaning products and other chemicals out of reach. Anything with phenyl (check the labels) is lethal to cats. Remember that kittens lick their paws, so be careful what you use on your floors and surfaces.
> Cats love certain scents. One of their favourites is antifreeze, which will kill a cat in short order. If your kitten should get into antifreeze and you discover it in time, RUN to the nearest vet.
Poisonous Plants: Anemone, black cherry, bloodroot, buttercup, caladium, castor bean, clematis, crocus, cycads, Daphe (splurge laurel), delphinium, dicentra (bleeding heart), dieffenbachia, elephant's ear, English ivy, foxglove, four o'clock, hellebore, hemlock, holly hycinth, hydrangea, Indian splurge tree, jack-in-the-pulpit, Jerusalem cherry, jimson weed, lantana (red sage), larkspur, lily-of-the-valley, mistletoe, morning glory, mountain laurel, oleander, philodenron, poinsettia, poinciana (bird of paradise) poison ivy, poisons oak, pokeweek, rhodeodendron, solandra (trumpet flower), star of Bethlehem (snowdrop), sweet pea, thornapple, wisteria and yew.
Collars and leads: If you use a collar on your kitten, check it daily to be sure that it isn't becoming too tight as the kitten frows. Conversely, a kitten can easily catch it's lower jaw in a too loose collar. A breakaway collar is the best choice, as it will separate if it become loose on something.
Grooming: Bengals present little grooming problems. Their coats are easy to maintain, and only require brushing occasionally to keep them in top condition.
Keeping claws clipped is a good idea whilst teaching baby not to use your furniture to scratch on. Only use clippers or scissors for claws - normal scissors shouldn't be used. Provide at least one scratching post as an alternative to your precious sofa (the kitten has been used to using one at our house). We recommend a tall, sturdy post - Zooplus have an excellent range at very reasonable prices.
If your kitten scratches it's claws where it shouldn't, say 'NO' in a firm voice, take it to it's scratching post, and make scratching motions with it's front paws. Kittens respond well to a firm voice and patience. They are naturally fastidious, and want to behave.
Play: Bengals love to play! We discourage rough play though, as this can make the kitten aggressive. If baby tries to play with your hand, say 'NO' and cease interaction. Allow your hand to go limp and extricate it, then place the kitten on the floor.
Any toys with feathers are hugely popular, 'Da Bird' in particular is a wonderful toy. We also recommend the Catit Senses Play Circuit.
Supplies:
Litter box x 2 (covered is nice, but baby is used to both covered and open types of tray)
Litter box scooper
Litter - either Cats Best Nature Gold (clumping) or Pets at Home wood pellet litter (non-clumping)
Food - Iams Hairball
Dishes - china or metal is best
Scratching post
Cat carrier
Nail clipper or scissors for cats
Toys
Cat bed
Other Pets: If you have other pets, wait until the kitten is settled and comfortable before bringing in other animals, one at a time. Do not leave the kitten alone with the other pet(s) until you are certain that they are good friends (this may be several weeks!). We have found that using a kitten pen to be very useful when settling baby with other pets, as it allows them to see and smell each other, but not to chase or fight with each other.
Food: Your kitten is completely weaned, and has been eating Iams Hairball dry biscuits (there isn't a 'kitten' version of this food, but it is a high quality food and contains all of the nutrients required). Food and fresh water should be available at all times.
If you choose to top up your kitten's biscuits with wet food, we recommend only very high meat content foods so as not to upset baby's tummy. Some foods that we have found to be very good are Porta 21 canned food (available from Zooplus), and Nature's Menu pouches (available from Pets at Home). Alternatively, plain chicken or fish that you have cooked at home will be a wonderful treat for you baby.
Contrary to popular belief, cow's milk isn't good for cats, as most can't digest it properly and consequently get diarrhoea.
Safety: Before you let your kitten loose in your home, check for the following safety hazards -
> Electrical and phone cords left dangling
> Toilet lids left up - a kitten can easily drown in a toilet bowl, or be poisoned by rim or cistern blocks
> Reclining chars and sofabeds - the mechanism of these can easily crush a kitten who has crawled inside
> Fringe or any loose trim - kittens have been known to strangle when their heads get twisted in the fringe, or in a hole between trim and fabric
> Dangling curtain or blind cords - another invitation to strangulation
> Accessible rubbish - especially any kind of bones - bones can either splinter and perforate the stomach or intestines, or form an intestinal blockage
> Needles and/or thread, knitting and/or crocheting materials
> Rubber bands - they can wrap around the intestines
> Cling film - it turns glassy in the stomach and can cause lacerations
> Plastic wrap - the kitten can eat it, strangle on it, or suffocate in it
> Plastic bags - a kitten can become trapped and suffocate, or get it's head tangled in the loop and panic
> Polystyrene - especially packing 'peanuts', which the kitten may eat
> Cigarettes - yes, they'll eat them
> Toys with easily removed and swallowed parts
> Christmas tree decorations, tinsel and tree needles
> Open fridges, dishwashers, microwaves, ovens, washing machines and tumble dryers - always check for kittens before shutting and turning on any appliance.
> Put away feathers and toys attached to string after use - kittens and cats will often eat feathers and swallow string
> Kittens like to taste almost everything - keep all cleaning products and other chemicals out of reach. Anything with phenyl (check the labels) is lethal to cats. Remember that kittens lick their paws, so be careful what you use on your floors and surfaces.
> Cats love certain scents. One of their favourites is antifreeze, which will kill a cat in short order. If your kitten should get into antifreeze and you discover it in time, RUN to the nearest vet.
Poisonous Plants: Anemone, black cherry, bloodroot, buttercup, caladium, castor bean, clematis, crocus, cycads, Daphe (splurge laurel), delphinium, dicentra (bleeding heart), dieffenbachia, elephant's ear, English ivy, foxglove, four o'clock, hellebore, hemlock, holly hycinth, hydrangea, Indian splurge tree, jack-in-the-pulpit, Jerusalem cherry, jimson weed, lantana (red sage), larkspur, lily-of-the-valley, mistletoe, morning glory, mountain laurel, oleander, philodenron, poinsettia, poinciana (bird of paradise) poison ivy, poisons oak, pokeweek, rhodeodendron, solandra (trumpet flower), star of Bethlehem (snowdrop), sweet pea, thornapple, wisteria and yew.
Collars and leads: If you use a collar on your kitten, check it daily to be sure that it isn't becoming too tight as the kitten frows. Conversely, a kitten can easily catch it's lower jaw in a too loose collar. A breakaway collar is the best choice, as it will separate if it become loose on something.
Grooming: Bengals present little grooming problems. Their coats are easy to maintain, and only require brushing occasionally to keep them in top condition.
Keeping claws clipped is a good idea whilst teaching baby not to use your furniture to scratch on. Only use clippers or scissors for claws - normal scissors shouldn't be used. Provide at least one scratching post as an alternative to your precious sofa (the kitten has been used to using one at our house). We recommend a tall, sturdy post - Zooplus have an excellent range at very reasonable prices.
If your kitten scratches it's claws where it shouldn't, say 'NO' in a firm voice, take it to it's scratching post, and make scratching motions with it's front paws. Kittens respond well to a firm voice and patience. They are naturally fastidious, and want to behave.
Play: Bengals love to play! We discourage rough play though, as this can make the kitten aggressive. If baby tries to play with your hand, say 'NO' and cease interaction. Allow your hand to go limp and extricate it, then place the kitten on the floor.
Any toys with feathers are hugely popular, 'Da Bird' in particular is a wonderful toy. We also recommend the Catit Senses Play Circuit.
Supplies:
Litter box x 2 (covered is nice, but baby is used to both covered and open types of tray)
Litter box scooper
Litter - either Cats Best Nature Gold (clumping) or Pets at Home wood pellet litter (non-clumping)
Food - Iams Hairball
Dishes - china or metal is best
Scratching post
Cat carrier
Nail clipper or scissors for cats
Toys
Cat bed
Copyright Ambalee Bengals 2011