Bringing them home for the first time
At first your new cat/kitten will be timid as it needs time to settle in. Adult cats may hide until they feel secure and not eat, do not worry as they will come out and socialise and start eating in a few days. Kittens may cry for their siblings, but they will soon settle in.
If your new pet is sharing your home with other pets you must introduce them slowly, keeping them separated at first, then let them meet by placing the new cat/kitten in a carrier so that the existing pets can see and smell your new cat/kitten before letting them meet. Or you may restrict them to one room for 24 hours so they have less anxiety and are able to smell their new flatmates through the door.
Your cat must be kept inside for at least one month before letting it out to explore your yard outside.
The best time for this is before dinner, but a few hours before it gets dark. When you let your pet out for the first time it should be under supervision to ensure that your cat/kitten doesn’t go where you don’t want it to go. If your cat/kitten is to be an inside cat and you have more than one cat you should provide a separate litter tray for each.
Feeding
A combination of wet and dry food is best. If it is a kitten, kitten biscuits should be provided for 12 months, then adult biscuits. Hills Science diet or any dry foods that are available from your vet are the best for your cat. If male cats/kittens are fed cheap supermarket biscuits they run the risk of developing crystals in the urinary tract which can be very painful and expensive. Water should always be provided.Ensure that your cat/kitten feline injections are kept up to date and that you register your pet with your local council. This will ensure that if your cat/kitten becomes lost then found it will be returned to you.
Worming
It is advisable to have them wormed as soon as possible. Cats need to be wormed regularly, particularly against whipworm and tapeworm, as well as roundworm and hookworm. This can be done by giving an all-wormer tablet every 3 to 6 months.
Fleas
If your cat has fleas, there are a number of powders, sprays and shampoos on the market to help control the problem. There are also flea collars available from your vet, always read the instructions on the package before using an insecticide on your cat. If in doubt, consult your vet first. Your vet is best able to advise you on the most appropriate flea treatment for your cat/kitten.
Vaccinations
All cats should receive a yearly booster vaccination against Distemper, Measles, Parvovirus and Infectious Hepatitis. This booster vaccine is important to give your cat maximum protection against these viral diseases. Your cat should be confined to their area, away from other cats, until 7 to 10 days after their vaccination. This is to ensure that the vaccines have enough time to give the cat adequate immunity before being exposed to other cats that may carry the diseases.
The F3 vaccination protects against Feline enteritis & two forms of feline respiratory disease.