Q&A for How to Take Care of Kittens

Country or town, this is a question of when is the best age to let a kitten out. There is no set age, although it's important the kitten is fully vaccinated first. Many vets advise waiting until the kitten is desexed at around five or six months, as this reduces the urge to roam. However, most young kittens although keen to get outside initially, often then become more cautious when faced with the big wide world. Always supervise a young kitten outdoors and never leave them unattended until they are confident of their surroundings and have a safe place to hide if they feel threatened.

Before the kitten is weaned, they need Kitten Milk Replacer - this is a type of kitten formula. After weaning, the kitten needs a good quality kitten food. Cow's milk should not be given to kittens.

First get the kitten used to the water by wetting her paws. When it's bath time, only put one or two inches of water in the sink, and make sure the water is blood temperature or slightly warmer. It helps to have a non-slip surface in the sink, such as a rubber mat.

A kitten derives all their nutrition from the mother for around four weeks. At this point the mother starts to spend more time away from the kittens and when they get hungry they start to look for other sources of food. This is how the mother starts the weaning process in the wild. However, many kittens love to suckle milk until they are several months old, if their mother will let them... which they usually don't, as older kittens can be quite rough when feeding.

The mother cat is the best option when it comes to caring for newborns. Place food close to the nest and a litter tray nearby so that she doesn't have to leave the kittens to eat or toilet.