Cats can make extremely rewarding companions and are usually much more self-sufficient than dogs, but in the early stages of their life, a little care and nurturing is required to get them off to a good start.

The First Two Months

For the first 6-8 weeks of a kitten's life, kittens should be with their mother, if possible. Looking after kittens who have been abandoned this early on in their lives requires a lot of extra care and effort and you should seek specialist advice from a vet or cat rescue center if you aren't already familiar with what's required.

During this time, a kitten's mother should teach it to use a litter tray and introduce it to solid food, leaving the kitten ready to fend for itself, with a little help from you.

Moving In

Before your new kitten moves into your home, there are a few basic things you need to buy and get ready:

• Litter tray & litter

• Food and water bowls

• Cat food

• Scratching post

• Bed

• A few cat toys

• A cat carrier (for trips in the car)

Try to buy food that is as close as possible to that which your kitten has been fed with, and make sure you choose a quiet, private place for the litter tray.

Once you have these things ready, you are ready for your new family member.

Feeding Your Kitten

Kittens have big eyes but small stomachs, and for the first six months it is best to feed them moderately-sized meals 3-5 times a day. After this, you can move to larger meals twice a day.

The Litter Tray

Hopefully, your kitten will have been trained to use a litter tray by its mother in the early weeks of its life, so it will be relatively easy for you to confirm the habit. However, the separation of the kitten from its mother and the unfamiliar surroundings of your home might mean some reinforcement is necessary.

A good idea is to place your kitten on its litter tray first thing in the morning and after each meal. That way, it should soon develop the correct associations and should start to seek out the litter tray whenever it needs to.

Grooming Your Kitten

Cats spend several hours a day grooming themselves, and often do not require much extra help from their human families. However, it can be a good idea to spend a little time grooming your kitten and getting it used to being handled in this way – it can make visits to the vet's easier too!

For long-haired cats, an occasional combing will help keep your cat's coat tidy, and give you an opportunity to check for fleas or any other problems.

Final Thoughts

Caring for kittens is relatively easy and very rewarding. A well cared-for kitten will grow into a loyal and well-behaved cat whose company you will enjoy for many years to come.