Prepare Your Home for a Curious Explorer

Kittens are naturally inquisitive and will explore every nook and cranny. They are notorious for biting, chewing and swallowing household hazards. Plan and think of your home as a kitten-proof playground!

Safety Tips:

• Install mesh or grilles (minimum 1.5 inches) on ALL windows and door gates. This is top priority for all cat owners as High Rise Syndrome is prevalent in Singapore. Even if you think there is low chance of your cat jumping or falling out of your window, think again! All fatalities caused by fall from height can be 100% prevented.

• Secure cords, blinds, and breakables.

• Block off tight spaces (like behind the fridge or washing machine).

• Remove toxic plants such as lilies, snake plants and philodendrons (Monstera). If you are unsure that your plants are toxic, please give a quick search to confirm. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

• Keep cleaning products and medications locked away.

• Avoid using essential oils or diffusers as they are actually toxic to cats. Your cat can inhale any oils that are suspended in the air around your home. As they fall, these droplets can adhere to her coat, and she could ingest them later as she cleans herself with her tongue. 

• Keep strings, rubber bands or hair ties away as cats are known to be attracted to these and have a tendency to chew and swallow them. In serious cases that they do not pass these items out in their excretions, a costly vet visit or surgery is required.

Introducing Your Kitten into Your Home

On the day of bringing your kitten home, transport the kitten in a secure carrier. Speak softly and avoid sudden movements to prevent scaring them.

• Introduce the Safe Room First
  Let the kitten explore just one small, safe space for the first day or two. Allow them to come out of the carrier on their own terms.

• Let Them Come to You:
  Sit on the floor and let the kitten approach you. Do not rush towards the kitten or approach it from their back as this may startle them. Offer a treat or toy to build trust. Avoid overwhelming them with too much attention right away.

• Gradual Exploration:
  After a couple of days, allow the kitten to explore more rooms one at a time under supervision.

• Monitor and Encourage Confidence:
  If the kitten seems nervous, let them retreat to their safe room. Don’t force them to explore or interact.

If You Have Other Pets:

• Keep Them Separated Initially:
  Let them smell each other under the door or through a baby gate for a few days.

• Slow, Supervised Introductions:
  Gradually allow short, supervised visits. Use treats and gradually allow them to have their meals in closer proximity to create positive associations.

Patience is key. Do not rush it and allow your kitten to adjust to your home - it may take days, weeks or even months.

Identifying the Litter Box

All of our kittens are litter-trained by our breeders. Once your kitten is home, you can introduce the kitten to its litter boxes to allow them to familiarise with the locations.

Keep the litter box clean and accessible, avoiding the areas where the kitten’s meals are served.

Quick Tips:

• One litter box per cat, plus one extra

• Clean the box daily; replace litter weekly or bi-weekly

• Avoid scented litters if your kitten is sensitive

We normally use Tofu litter which clumps well and can even be flushed down the toilet!

Feed the Right Food at the Right Time

Kittens have specific nutritional needs different from adult cats. Look for specially formulated kitten food rich in protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals to support growth.

At The Cats Collective, we provide a mixed diet for our kittens which includes raw chicken/beef (with added salmon oil, taurine etc.), wet food and kibbles. We alternate every meal so that the kittens will receive a well-rounded nutrition and hydration. We also supplement them with nutritional gel and lysine to boost their nutritional intake and immunity. As the kittens will be exposed to a variety of diets, this will help them accustom to any diet that you may implement for them.

Cats are very picky when it comes to their water source and you may even notice some cats don’t drink much water. Therefore, it is always important to include wet or raw food in their diet as cats get their hydration mostly from food. That being said, it's still crucial to provide access to fresh water to ensure they stay properly hydrated. A water fountain is a great choice as cats prefer running water instead of still water.

Feeding Schedule (General Guide):

• 3–6 months: 3-4 meals a day

• 6–12 months: 3 meals a day

• 1-7 years: 2-3 meals a day

• 7+ years: 2 meals a day

Always introduce new foods gradually to avoid stomach upset.

Encourage Healthy Play & Mental Stimulation

Kittens are playful and hunters by nature. Ensure you commit at least 30-40 minutes of playtime daily with them as it helps with your bonding. Insufficient stimulation and activity increases the chances of your kittens having late night or early morning zoomies which may interrupt your sleep cycle.

Enrichment Ideas:

• Teaser toys, laser pointers, springs

• Cat tunnels and interactive puzzles

• DIY cardboard forts and cat towers/condos

• Scratching poles/mats

Avoid letting kittens play with string, hair ties, or plastic—they’re choking hazards!

Prioritise Vet Visits, Vaccinations & Deworming

Early veterinary care sets the foundation for lifelong health.

All kittens are vaccinated twice for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR), Calicivirus (C), and Panleukopenia (P).

If your cat is an indoor adult cat, FVRCP can be done every three years. If she is allowed outside, she is young or is a senior, your vet may recommend yearly FVRCP vaccines.

Cats heading into stressful situations, such as boarding, may benefit from a core vaccine booster seven to 10 days before.

Your Vet will:

• Start a vaccination schedule

• Check for parasites like fleas, ticks, and worms

• Check the weight of your cat to see if it is within the healthy range

• Check if the lungs and heart are healthy

For deworming, we encourage you to conduct both internal and external deworming once every month until they are 6 months old, after which you can do it once every 3 months if they are a strictly indoor cat.

We recommend booking your first core vaccine booster shot 1 year after its last vaccination date (which will be reflected in the vaccination booklet).

Grooming, Nail Trims & Hygiene

Grooming isn’t just about looks—it builds trust and keeps your kitten healthy.

Basic Grooming Routine:

• Brushing: Daily for long haired breeds as their fur gets matted easily. 2-3 times a week for short haired breeds.

• Nail trimming: Every 2–3 weeks

• Ear checks and cleaning: Look for wax or dirt buildup regularly and clean them whenever necessary. If your cat is shaking her head and scratching at her ear, it is a telltale sign that cleaning is due!

• Dental care: Use kitten-safe toothpaste daily

• Paw pad fur and sanitary trimming: When the fur is getting longer at the paw pads and sanitary area, it is time to do trimming to ensure soiled litter or poop does not get stuck.

Useful tip: Reward your kitten after a grooming session with treats so that they will associate grooming with treats for positive reinforcement.

We will demonstrate the ways to do basic grooming on your kitten so that you can learn to do it by yourself at home!

Provide Comfort & Rest

Kittens sleep a lot—up to 18 hours a day! A cosy space helps them feel safe and secure.

Create Comfort Zones:

• Soft bed in a quiet area

• High perching areas such as cat towers/condos

• A few favorite toys and scratching mats/poles

• Easy access to food, water and litter

Be Patient & Loving

Every kitten is different—some are bold and brave, others shy and slow to trust. With love, patience and routine, they will grow into a confident and affectionate cat. You know that you have earned their trust if you catch your cat slow blinking at you, lying belly up or cuddling in your lap.

Remember: Mistakes will happen—scratches, spills, chewed household items. Stay calm, correct gently and celebrate progress!