• Do not use clumping litter until the kitten is at least 6 months old. When they clean themselves, they lick their paws and the clumping litter gets into their digestive system. They can’t digest that type of litter. Any clay litter, such as Fresh Step or Tidy Cat will work (and that is what they are used to). Do not change the litter, as they may not like it and will then refuse to use the litter box for you

• The food your kitten is currently on is Purina One-Healthy Kitten Formula. It is very important to keep them on the same food just for a little bit. You want to keep everything as similar as possible to what they are used to. You can change their food (to any High Quality kitten food)  if you would like, by gradually mixing it with your choice over the next few weeks. For the first 2 weeks though, I would recommend keeping your kitty on this food. You can buy it at Wal-Mart or Pet Smart.( Kitten Chow is not the same thing as the Purina One- Healthy Kitten Formula)

• Your kitten will be due for his/her next booster at 12 weeks and rabies at 16 weeks. Your kitten only needs one more booster(some vets will try to get you to do three boosters). This is up to you, as it will not hurt them, but there is no need for it. Two is sufficient.

• The most important thing to watch for is that your new kitty is drinking water. They can dehydrate fast, so if you notice by day two that you have not seen any drinking, you may have to give them water with a dropper of some sort. (This is unlikely to happen, but important to watch for.

• It is very common during the first few days for your kitten to have a runny stool because they tend to stress a little bit, due to the new smells in your home and they will miss their litter mates. This should clear up after day 3 or 4.  As your kitten gets older ( 8 months on), you may notice a change in their stool.  If their stool becomes more loose, one trick to help with this, that has always worked for us, is to change their food to Iams Hairball. Even though they rarely shed, there is something in the Iams Hairball that takes care of their loose stools. Our adult cats are all on this food, once they turn one year old. (I wish we had known about this earlier on!!) Great tip to know!!

• As you transition your new kitty to your home, it is best to find a small room that your kitten can be put in when your not home or playing with them. This will teach your kitten better litter habits and will give them a “safe” place that they will feel comfortable in. You only need to use this room for about 2 weeks, or until you feel that your kitten is used to your home. Many times this room will become your kittens comfortable place that they will resort to in the future when they just want to “get away” or go sleep.

• As always, if you ever have any questions at all, feel free to email or call. We know that questions will arise once you leave our place, and we understand that.