Bengal kittens post

Bengal kittens post

Thinking about how to prepare for a new kitten? Our guide tells you all you need to know

Whether you’re adopting a kitten from shelter or you’ve found one from a local breeder, bringing your new arrival home is an exciting experience. Kittens can be entertaining and playful – not to mention undeniably cute! Already thinking about the fun you’ll have? Now is the perfect time to prepare for a new kitten.

Buying a kitten online

While it might be tempting to buy kittens for adoption through online listings, adverts or on social media, it isn’t recommended.

It isn’t always possible to guarantee that kittens listed are from a reputable breeder, and your new feline friend could end up with future health issues.

Buying a kitten from a breeder

If you want to buy a kitten from a breeder, you’ll need to make sure you see the kitten where it was bred before agreeing to the sale. Being introduced to the kitten’s mum, as well as seeing its home environment, is particularly important. On meeting the kitten, you should check they are:

sociable
alert
have bright eyes
have no visible health issues

Buying a pedigree bengal kitten

If the kitten is a pedigree, there are rules which the breeder should adhere to. Some organisations, such as the TICA, have rules about ethical breeding and health. Make sure to research the breed online for more questions about purchasing a pedigree kitten.

Buying a bengal kitten

If you’ve bought a kitten online or from a local breeder, they’ll need to stay with their mum until they’re around eight to nine weeks old. You should have had a chance to meet your kitten already and take a look at their surroundings, ensuring that they are sociable, alert and have no visible health issues. If possible, you could ask to see the kitten’s mother.

Your kitten should have also been ‘socialised’ properly before they come home with you, gradually exposing them to a number of experiences. This happens between two and eight weeks old and helps kittens to adjust to life while their brains and sensory systems are still developing. They should have experienced:

meeting different people
handling (including being handled by a vet)
different sounds
playing with different types of toys

Bengal kittens for sale in

Kitten’s essential checklist

Making kitten-related purchases is part of the fun, especially when it comes to choosing them new toys to play with. Before you begin buying novelty items and expensive treats, here’s a list of essential things your kitten will need before they arrive.

A food bowl
A water bowl – placing the water bowl away from the food bowl encourages cats to drink
Food and water – ideally, continue feeding your kitten what they are used to, this will help them settle into their new home
A soft, comfortable bed and blankets
A litter tray (with cat litter that they are used to using), placed away from their eating area
A sturdy scratching post
A cat brush to keep their fur groomed
A cat carrier – something well ventilated and sturdy
New toys and games – a fishing rod toy is the perfect choice for energetic kittens

Bringing home a kitten

Once your home is set up for your cat, it’s time for the exciting part – taking them home! You’ll need a sturdy and well ventilated cat carrier for bringing your kitten home in the car, which will need to be secured with a seatbelt once your kitten is inside.

Most kittens aren’t keen on being in a cat carrier, especially as their environment is new and strange to them. To keep them calm, consider placing a blanket or item from their home inside. Cats are heavily reliant on scent and will settle much quicker if their surroundings smell familiar.

How to transport your kitten home in the car

Ask the person you’re collecting the kitten from to limit food for a couple of hours before the journey to avoid vomiting or toileting on the way home.
Make sure the cat carrier is upright and secured with a seatbelt.
Keep your heating or air conditioning away from your cat when you’re travelling.
Drive smoothly and safely with as little noise as possible.
Don’t leave your cat in the car unattended, particularly if the weather is hot.
Travel straight home so that your kitten can get settled

Setting up your kitten’s space

Before collecting your kitten, you’ll need to set up a designated space for them to settle in. Pick a quiet area away from busier (and noisier) areas and make sure they have the following items nearby.

An area for food and a separate one for water
A litter tray placed away from their food area (in a quiet location)
A place to hide – a cardboard box or cat igloo will do
Access to a high spot – kittens love to look around from up high. A sturdy shelf is perfect
A suitable space to sleep, either with blankets or a cosy bed
A scratching post
A few kitten-safe toys to keep them entertained – a fishing rod is ideal
Remember to secure any areas in the room you don’t want a kitten to enter – from cupboards to secret hiding holes!

How to get a kitten used to a new home

Once you’re home safely, it is time to gently introduce your kitten to their new environment. Give them the freedom to explore their new room, toys and items – no doubt giving them all a good sniff! If they choose to hide, sit quietly in the room and gently talk to them rather than forcing them out from their hiding space. It is completely natural for kittens to hide initially in a strange new environment.

For the first few days, limit them to just a couple of rooms initially so that they don’t feel overwhelmed. As they become more confident, you can introduce them to other areas of the house.

Introducing your kitten to children and the family

Once your kitten feels confident with you, you can gradually introduce other members of the family to them. While it is easy to get excited, it is important to remember to introduce people at your kitten’s pace – if they’re shy, it can be overwhelming for them to meet everyone at the same time.

Children are bound to be excited about the arrival of a new kitten. Before your little ones meet your kitten, prepare them by telling them to be gentle and calm. It is important that the kitten comes to them initially and they’re shown how to interact gently with them. Kittens also need a lot of sleep and will need to be left alone to rest, especially as they get used to their new home.

As your kitten becomes more comfortable, they’ll enjoy the playfulness of being around children. Naturally, kittens use their teeth and claws – making sure that you play with your kitten with appropriate toys instead of your hands and feet is important, particularly as their teeth and claws get bigger! Avoid using your fingers to encourage a cat in your direction too.

What should I feed my kitten?

If you know what your kitten has been eating in their previous home, it is advised to keep feeding them the same food at the same times. Familiar scents and tastes will help your cat to settle in gradually – and they’ll be more likely to eat what you’re providing them with!

If you’re unsure, you might feel overwhelmed at the numerous cat food brands at your local supermarket! Remember to choose food designed for cats, staying away from dog food or food intended for humans. Opt for a ‘complete’ food formulated specially for kittens. This will provide all the nutrients and minerals that your kitten needs for growing.

How often do I need to feed my kitten?

Kittens are energetic with small stomachs, so it is best to feed them little and often. When your kitten first arrives, aim to check their food and replace it four times a day – as well as providing plenty of fresh water. As they get older, you’ll get used to the amount that they eat and when. Cats older than six months should be fine if they’re fed twice a day while older cats may only need their food topping up once a day.