Care Guide

A little preparation makes the first day calm for both of you.

• Shopping list: the same food the cattery uses, ceramic or steel bowls (water separate from food), a litter box and litter, a carrier, a scratching post, a bed, toys, a nail clipper, and a brush or comb suited to your kitten's coat.
• Kitten-proof the home: tuck away loose cables, secure or remove anything small enough to swallow, and keep toxic plants (lilies are especially dangerous) out of reach.
• High-rise safety (important in Singapore): mesh or net every window and balcony before the kitten arrives. Cats can slip or leap from height — this is non-negotiable in HDB flats and condos.
• Set up one quiet "safe room" with food, water, litter and a hiding spot, so your kitten can settle in a small space first.

• Start small: keep your kitten in the safe room for the first day or two, then open up the home gradually.
• What is normal: hiding, a quieter appetite on day one, and slightly soft stool from the stress of moving are all common and usually settle within a few days.
• Keep the food the same: change food only gradually over about 7 days, mixing in a little more of the new food each day, to avoid an upset stomach.
• Go gentle: limit handling and visitors at first; let the kitten come to you.
• Call your vet if your kitten will not eat for more than 24 hours, vomits repeatedly, has ongoing diarrhoea, or seems very lethargic.

• Use kitten food: at 2–3 months a kitten needs a high-protein, high-calorie kitten formula, fed as small, frequent meals (about 3–4 times a day).
• Wet and dry: a mix helps with hydration — cats have a low thirst drive, and good water intake supports urinary health.
• Fresh water always: available at all times and refreshed daily; many cats drink more from a water fountain.
• Treats: keep under 10% of the daily diet.
• Never feed: onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes/raisins, alcohol, caffeine, xylitol, raw dough, or cooked bones. Many cats are also lactose-intolerant — skip cow's milk.

• Scoop at least once a day, and wash the box and fully replace litter regularly (about weekly).
• How many boxes: the rule of thumb is one per cat plus one extra, in quiet spots away from food.
• Low entry for kittens (and essential for short-legged breeds) so they can climb in easily.
• Watch the litter box as a health check: straining, blood, diarrhoea, or a male kitten passing only small amounts of urine and crying are reasons to see a vet promptly.

• Brush to the coat: short coats about 1–2 times a week; long coats 3–4 times a week to prevent mats. Increase during seasonal shedding to remove loose, shed fur.
• Nails: clip about every 2 weeks; pair it with a scratching post to spare your furniture.
• Sanitary trim (longhaired cats): keep the fur around the hygiene area trimmed short so it stays clean — especially helpful for British Longhair and Ragdoll.
• Ears, eyes and teeth: check ears and wipe eyes as needed; introduce tooth-brushing or dental treats early.
• Bathing: cats rarely need baths and mostly groom themselves. In Singapore's humidity, if you do bathe, dry the coat thoroughly to avoid skin problems.

• Daily play: 2–3 short sessions of 10–20 minutes with wand or chase toys satisfies their hunting instinct and builds confidence.
• Scratching: provide posts and pads to redirect scratching away from furniture.
• Vertical space: cats love to climb — but for short-legged breeds, add steps or ramps and keep perches low.
• Socialisation & confidence: the early months are the best window — gently expose your kitten to handling and household sounds, and help it get comfortable with its carrier and short trips out, so vet visits and travel stay low-stress.
• Kitten biting: redirect rough play onto toys, never hands.

• Vaccination: kittens complete a course of core (FVRCP) vaccinations over their first months, followed by adult boosters (typically every 1–3 years). Singapore is rabies-free, so indoor cats do not require a rabies vaccine. Follow the schedule on your cattery handover record and your vet's advice.
• Deworming & parasites: kittens are dewormed more often than adults (adults typically about every 3 months). Use a vet-recommended spot-on treatment to guard against fleas, ticks and other external parasites.
• Sterilisation (spay/neuter): discuss timing with your vet.
• Microchip & licensing: please follow current Singapore (AVS) cat licensing requirements.
• Annual check-up keeps small problems small.

• Kitten (0–6 months): rapid growth, playful and curious — the key window for learning social skills.
• Teenager (6–12 months): reaches 90–95% of full size; sexual maturity if not neutered; behaviour becomes more defined.
• Junior (1–2 years): reaches full size and physical maturity; energy more balanced; a good time to settle into an ideal weight.
• Adult (3–10 years): fully developed and stable, with consistent behaviour and temperament.
• Elder (10+ years): slower movement, may sleep more; needs closer health checks and comfort care. (Large breeds such as Ragdoll mature more slowly, up to 3–4 years.)

• Heat & humidity: keep the home ventilated or air-conditioned, ensure constant water, and never leave a cat in an enclosed hot space. Longer-coated breeds feel the heat more.
• Humidity & skin: keep ears and coat clean and dry to avoid skin and ear issues.
• High-rise safety: keep windows and balconies meshed at all times.
• Regulations: follow current AVS cat licensing rules for your home.

Grooming, build and temperament differ by breed. For care notes specific to your kitten, visit its breed page:

• British Shorthair - dense plush coat, weekly brushing, watch weight.
• British Longhair - long coat, comb 3-4 times a week to prevent mats.
• Munchkin - short legs; set up low litter boxes, steps and ramps.
• Ragdoll - silky semi-long coat, large and slow-maturing, very affectionate, indoor-only.

Every kitten goes home with what you need to start well:

• An up-to-date vaccination and health record.
• Microchip details.
• A sample of the food your kitten is currently eating.
• Care guidance and our contact for any questions.

Have a question after your kitten settles in? Message us any time — we are always happy to help.