Question: I have never had a cat before. Would you recommend a Bengal cat?

Bengals are intelligent, active, people orientated cats who love attention. They are not a fluffy cuddly toy type of cat who will adorn y0ur house. They are athletic and like to be on the move.

They form strong bonds with their owner and will sit/lie quite happily with you on the sofa of an evening either on your lap or beside you. They will follow you from room to room and love to play. Get a fishing rod toy, small fluffy cat toys, catnip toys, etc. , these will all be appreciated. Some Bengals will even play fetch like a small dog and can be learnt tricks.

Question: Should I have a boy or a girl?

Both can be very loving and playful. Boys tend to become slightly bigger than girls, but each kitten/cat has its own personality and it is impossible to generalize.

Question: Will a new kitten get on with my present cat?

If you introduce them gradually, not having any favourites to foster jealousy, then they should get on well. This may take a few days/weeks but on the whole it is usually easier for a cat to accept a new kitten than another mature cat.

Kittens love to play, so getting both cats interested in a toy often breaks down barriers. There may be some spitting and hissing but this is usually short lived. At all times the safety of the kitten should be observed and if there is any serious nastiness then the kitten should be retrieved to safety.

The same goes for introducing a dog to the kitten. A puppy cage can often help with the introductions, putting the kitten in the cage for the first few days and letting everyone get to know each other can smooth the tension of first real meetings. Even the nicest dog or cat can cause real damage to a kitten so when you leave the house, put the kitten back in its room, until you are doubly sure that everyone is getting on.

Question: What should I expect within the first few days of bringing my kitten home in terms of health and behaviour?

Your kitten will be healthy to the best of my knowledge when leaving here.
However kittens who develop dirty noses, eyes, ears are therefore not healthy and should be examined by a vet as soon as possible.

Diarrhoea can be stress related or due to new food but any bowel problem that goes on for a few days or is associated with poor appetite, vomiting or the kitten showing no energy should be seen by a vet.

Poor appetite and lethargy without any other signs, are symptoms in a kitten or cat that should be taken seriously and I would advise that the cat/kitten be taken to the vet.

Kittens can be very outgoing when arriving at a new home, some never seem to be phased by anything, others run and hide and may take a few weeks to get used to the new surroundings. This may be in part due to the kittens upbringing, the socialization in the first few weeks of life, but may also be a personality thing, some of us are braver and more sociable than others. Keeping a kitten in one quiet small room to begin with is the best thing, as it has time to explore, find it's food, it's litter tray etc.

Never force things, dragging kittens out from behind the furniture, if they are hiding there, is not a good course of action and may lead to scratches or bites, this is due to fear. Rather sit on the floor, wait until the kitten comes to you or get a toy for the kitten to chase.

Question: What problems should I expect?

Common problems

1. Letting the kitten have the free run of the house or in too big a room often results in kittens becoming stressed, getting lost and then inappropriate toilet behaviour as they cannot find the litter tray when needed. Keep the kitten in one small room until it gets used to the room. It will be obvious by it's behaviour when it wants to extend its range, it will probably meow at the door wanting out.

2. Too many new things at once can scare your new kitten. Introduce new situations, people, other cats , dogs etc slowly so that your kitten can adjust to each new thing before introducing another.

3. Meowing - many new kittens away from their mother and brothers and sisters can meow a lot. Comfort the kitten and play with it or giving it some food may help, never shout at the kitten this may stop the meowing but you will end up with a nervous frightened kitten who may not bond with you.

4. Kittens in dangerous situations, stuck behind cupboards, refrigerators. Look at your house for dangerous places for your kitten to be before he/she arrives and make certain your home is kitten proof. Kittens are a lot like little children. Wires are perfect for little ones to chew, chemicals should be stored away. Threads and string can be eaten and cause bowel damage.

Question: Does my kitten require vaccinations?

Your kitten has been vaccinated (not leukaemia), and will not require a further vaccination until it is a year old.

Question: Does my kitten require house training?

No, all kittens will be litter box trained before leaving here.