New Cat Owner Guide

New Cat Owner Guide

A cat’s life starts with Beaphar

Contents Page Are you prepared for a new cat to join your family?

Page 1

A checklist for your new cat or kitten

Page 5

Things to do when bringng your cat home

Page 11

Are you prepared for a new cat to join your family?

Choosing your new cat Whether they are a kitten or an adult, your new feline will be a fun adventure for you and your family, bringing joy as well as some challenges. With Beaphar’s comprehensive range of products, you can have complete peace of mind that your cat has the very best possible start.

Where do I get my new kitten from?

There are a number of options to finding the right cat for you. Start with your local animal shelter; pay them a visit to learn more about your chosen feline’s background and and understand the requirements for being a new pet parent. Most shelters will ensure that

Alternatively, you might be looking to get your new cat from a breeder.

Unlike a shelter, costs for a new pet from a breeder can be high and it is important to factor this into all of your expenditure, including insurance, cat food, toys, beds etc. Always ensure that the breeder is reputable and check for feedback and reviews on social channels and portals such as Pets4Homes.

What do I need to look out for?

Whether you get your new furry family member from an animal shelter or a breeder, the most important element to look for is a healthy, happy cat. How they react to certain stimuli along with playing with other cats is incredibly important, too. Key things to look out for in a healthy cat are: 1. Interacting: With others and their siblings 2. Parents: Viewing your new kitten with their mum (and dad if possible)

your new friend is microchipped, neutered and thoroughly checked by the vet before you take them home. If you are specifically looking for a kitten, Spring and Summer tend to be a more likely time to find one at a shelter.

By doing both of these you are able to identify their personality. Are they dominant?

Are they submissive? Are they mischievous? Finding a kitten that fits in with your family is essential and their tiny personalities will be evident – even at such a young age.

3. Fur and body condition: Fur condition is generally a good indicator for the health of a cat at any age. A glossy coat generally means a healthy cat but do take your cat for a full check of their weight and body condition and to identify if they are under or overweight. Your breeder should be checking their weight and body condition regularly, so ask questions if you are unsure.

4. Check ears and eyes: Second to body condition and fur, the condition of a kitten’s ears and eyes can often be another indicator of their state of health, or reveal a more serious problem.

Checking both regularly is key to avoiding future illnesses. Remove mucus from their eyes and examine their ears carefully for mites.

5. Check for worms: Litters can be prone to worms.

A good breeder or shelter will have a vet check the kittens or cat, however in some instances, worms can go unnoticed. Sickness, diarrhoea and weight loss can be a sign, but if you are visiting the kitten or cat for the first time you might not be given this information freely from the breeder.

Look out for a dull coat, lack of energy or general lethargy, and for kittens in particular, a swollen or distended tummy. A healthy kitten should have a rounded tummy but a swollen belly is often a sign of worms. You will also need to consider a future worming programme; this is detailed in the check list in the next chapter ‘before you bring them home’

REMEMBER To check for flea dander.

Reddish-black flecks would be an indication of fleas themselves.

Beaphar Ear Cleaner and Beaphar Eye Gel are great to assist you in ongoing ear and eye healthcare.

A checklist for your new kitten or cat Items to get your new pet You have finally selected your new kitten/cat to join your family. So what additional items do you need?

Before you do, you could use a Beaphar CatComfort® Spray in the carrier, to ensure your cat has a calmer experience during this stressful travel time.

1.) Cat Carrier: An essential on your list, as you will probably be bringing home your kitty in one.

Kitten Toys: Toys, toys, toys and toys! All cats like to play. To make the most of playtime, make sure

you include durable toys that will withstand some rough play and can last longer.

Once your cat is used to living with you, consider introducing puzzle or play feeders to create some extra stimulation in the environment.

Food Bowl: Plastic, metal or a multiple feeder, choose one that fits your lifestyle. Will you be at work during the day, or with them all the time?

Food: For some kittens that are underweight or require a little bit extra, Beaphar Lactol Milk is an ideal supplement.

Usually for kittens that are orphaned, or from a large litter. it is formulated to mimic mum’s milk, with all the vitamins and minerals your kitten needs.

You’ll also need to decide on wet food, dry food or a combination of both. It is likely that you will be given a sample of the food that your cat has been eating to take home, and it is best to stick with that at first to avoid upset tummies. Any change to a new diet should be done gradually.

There is lots of nutritional information on pet food brand’s websites, or you can take a look at those of charities, such as the PDSA or Blue Cross, to get more information on nutrition and feeding your cat correctly.

Beaphar Lactol Milk has been used for over 100 years and is made from whey protein, which is easily digestible.

Beaphar IntestoPro has a natural clay ingredient Zeolite to help make stools thicker by absorbing excess moisture.

Beaphar IntestoPro for upset tummies: If your cat does experience an upset tummy, Beaphar IntestoPro will support your kitten or cat when needed, and restore normal bowel movements. However, if an upset tummy doesn’t quickly resolve, or starts to get worse, take your cat to the vet as soon as possible, in case something more serious is amiss.

Water Bowl: Always make sure that you place the water bowl away from the food bowl. If you place them side by side, your cat will view the water as contaminated and look for a hydration source elsewhere. Make sure there is always clean, fresh water available.

Litter Tray: When deciding on a litter tray, make sure that you have one per cat and place in an area where your cat won’t be disturbed doing their business. It is also advisable to have an extra tray for them to use which can be placed in another area of the home. You might also need Beaphar Training Pads, as accidents may happen at first. Using them near the tray will help support litter training.

Cosy Bed: A bed is essential (even if your cat will eventually choose to sleep on your bed or sofa) to give your cat a space of their own. You might want to consider a calming product near their bed, such as the Beaphar CatComfort® Diffuser, which uses Feline Facial Pheromones, mimicking the natural chemicals made by cats when they feel safe and happy.

This will help them to settle in more easily if they feel like they are in a familiar environment.

A safe place to hide and a calm environment: Your new feline friend is bound to be timid when they come home. To help them ease in, make sure that they have a safe space to hide and one that is theirs. You can help them settle in with the help of the Beaphar calming range, which includes the pheromone products already mentioned, as well as a range of valerian-based natural remedies.

From sprays, to diffusers, spot-ons and tablets, you can find the right solution for you and your kitty.

Most cats will have their permanent teeth between six to eight months. However, early brushing or dental care ensures that your cat is used to a dental regime that will continue throughout their lifetime.

Toothbrush and Toothpaste: Dental care is extremely important for cats of all ages. With 80% of cats suffering from dental issues by the age of three*, it is so important to keep on top of their dental care. For some cats, daily brushing with the Beaphar Toothbrush and Toothpaste Kit is not a chore, but for cats that don’t like their teeth brushed, there is a variety of other options; Beaphar Tooth Gel, Beaphar Dental Powder and Beaphar Dental Easy Treats can all help support oral health. * Royal Veterinary College

Cat Flap: You might not have thought yet about whether your cat is going to be an indoor or outdoor pet. However, you need to plan ahead if you are looking to give your cat access to the great outdoors. A microchip enabled pet door will mean that other neighbourhood cats are kept out of your home, which will help reduce distress in your pet, too.

Scratching Posts: Avoid costly furniture damage by giving your feline a place to scratch – legally! Scratching posts are essential and, when offered alongside the Beaphar Calming range, save your furniture too! Owners also use the Beaphar Pet Behave Spray that can be applied to the affected piece of furniture, giving off a mildly unpleasant scent.

Pet Insurance: Although we have mentioned a number of preventative pet care measures to help support you, ALWAYS get pet insurance to cover you for unexpected events, so that you have peace of mind. Your vet will be able to help you or there are a number of regulated providers available, too.

REMEMBER

Read Beaphar’s tips provided on the website on how to maintain an easy dental routine for your feline friend

Grooming: Investing in a good hairbrush will be good for your cat and a way to increase your bond together, too. Be careful of hairballs, especially if your cat is a long-haired breed, as these may form when your cat grooms themselves. Beaphar Hairball Paste or the Beaphar Hairball Easy Treat for Cats are a good, on-hand support to combat pesky hairballs.

Select a Vet: A good vet is key. Make sure that you select a vet close by who has a great reputation. You might wish to have your new kitty checked over, as well as ensuring their vaccinations are up to date. During their checkups, your vet will examine your cat’s dental health as well as offer advice on neutering, if that has not already been completed.

REMEMBER

To set reminders for yourself to repeat your worming routine every three months.

Things to do when bringing your cat home Cat proofing your home Just before you bring your bundle of fur home, make sure that you remove any hazards or safety check areas that might be dangerous for your kitty.

Cats are notorious for their curious nature and can often be found in places that you least expect them!

Get down on their level, crawl on the floor at what would be your cat’s level

(or as close as) to check for small objects, hanging wires and anything that looks like a fun game for your kitty. Keep cleaning products and any hazardous materials locked away, with particular attention to the toilet and kitchen. Any flowers – such as lilies and tulips – must be kept away too, as many are toxic to your pet, so keep them out of reach at all times.

Calming Introductions Leave the carrier out so that your cat can retreat into it if they need to, giving them a safe space to hide.

Make sure that you have your litter tray, bed and training pads ready for any accidents, and simply let them explore. If you choose to give them the freedom of the home, allow them to investigate but be mindful of stairs and other hazards that they might face. It is also best to avoid too many people in the house, and if you have small children, make sure that they give your new cat the space that they need to explore.

Banish Nasty Worms When your kitten comes home, it is likely that they will have already received their first vaccination, flea and worming treatment. However, make sure that you have checked with your breeder or shelter before they leave. Worming will need to be tackled at around 9 weeks. Beaphar WORMclear® Tablets for Cats can be given to cats weighing more than 1kg. Its vet-strength composition gives you added peace of mind that you are removing all the nasty worms. If your cat hates tablets, use the Beaphar WORMclear® Spot-On for Cats and Beaphar Worming Granules.

You may feel more comfortable taking your furry friend to the vet for things like worm treatment, but Beaphar have blogs and ‘how to’ videos to help assist you with your first solo worm treatment(s).

Beaphar FIPROtec® Spot-On and COMBO are vet strength medicines suitable for cats from 8 weeks of age and weighing more than 1kg.

Always read the label of any medicine carefully before applying it to your pet.

Neuter your cats If you are not planning to breed from your cat, you might wish to have it neutered. This is offered as standard from a shelter, however, if you got your cat from another source and have had it from a young kitten, it can be neutered from between four to six months of age. Always consult your vet if you require any further assistance.

Create a cat-friendly garden Once your kitty has had their 16 week vaccinations, it will be safe for them to explore the outdoors and they will be excited to do so.

Make sure that your fences don’t have any gaps for other cats to come in and bully your feline friend, remove any sharp objects and make a shaded area for your cat to relax out of the sunshine. Bear in mind that some plants can be poisonous to cats, so lilies, ivy, daffodils, and some daisies should all be avoided. For the first time outdoors, avoid any loud noises that might startle your cat and allow them to see where the door is so that they can retreat inside if they need to.

Flea and Tick prevention If you have decided to allow your cat outside, make sure you are prepared with flea and tick treatments, as once kitty gets out into the big, wide world, they will be exposed to ticks and fleas that can be caught from other cats, dogs and wildlife that has been close by. These parasites can cause unnecessary distress for your pet. A simple monthly flea and tick treatment, such as the Beaphar FIPROtec® Spot-On, or

Beaphar FIPROtec® COMBO that fights fleas, ticks and biting insects, is essential for the health and wellbeing of your pet.

Treat your home and your pet too It is important to treat against fleas and ticks throughout the year. This not only prevents infestations, it also breaks the flea cycle. When we are reactive, treating our pets only when fleas are apparent, rather than proactive, treating our pets before infestation, we are essentially only killing the adult fleas and miss the eggs, larvae and pupae that combined make up the full life cycle.

REMEMBER

Treating regularly for both fleas and worms is essential for a happy, healthy pet

These eggs will fall out of your kittens coat into their bed, onto carpets, cushions and other places in your home. The fleas that hatch out of these can then re-infest your pet and the cycle will start again. Make sure that you use a good, long-acting spray – such as Beaphar FLEAtec Household spray – to clear the home. If there is an infestation, a Beaphar Fumigator or Fogger can also work well.

Treating your home is key.

Surprisingly, only 5% of fleas are on your pet, with a staggering 95% being in the household environment.

Even if you decide to have an indoor cat, they are still susceptible to fleas, carried in by you, visitors or other pets in the home. The best way to combat the critters is by treating your pet AND your home. Pet treatment alone will stop them itching for a while, but if you don’t treat your home, your pet will quickly become re-infested and will continue to experience discomfort.

Microchipping your feline Depending on your cat’s breed and size, you can get them microchipped from 10-12 weeks of age, if the breeder or shelter hasn’t already done so. The procedure is painless and quick with cost variations dependant on when and who administers it.

New governmant rules, coming into effect in 2022, state that owners with un-microchipped cat(s) will face a fine of £500.

These compulsory rules for microchipping your feline will resemble the current rules for dogs.

This is to ensure that your pet can easily be reunited with you if they are lost, stolen or resold.

Monitor access into the home A pet door or flap that includes a microchip to stop other pets from coming into the home is also recommended.

Not only does this help with your cat’s security by stopping their living space from being invaded, it reduces the chances of fleas being brought into the home by other animals, too.

REMEMBER

To make sure you are being proactive and treating for fleas all-year-round (you should always check the product packaging to ensure you re-treat your pet at the correct interval; different brands do vary)

Beaphar UK Ltd, Rook Tree Farm, Withersfield Road, Great Wratting, CB9 7HD tel: 0333 0066 236 | email: info@uk.beaphar.com