Raising Your Cat is an exciting and rewarding experience, whether you’re a seasoned pet owner or welcoming a kitten into your home for the first time. Watching them grow into a confident, happy, and healthy adult cat is incredibly fulfilling, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Caring for a kitten requires patience, commitment, and the right knowledge to ensure they thrive. From nutrition and socialization to vet visits and playtime, responsible cat ownership starts with informed decisions. Let’s explore what it takes to raise a well-adjusted feline friend.
Whilst you will undoubtedly have fun and amazing moments, there are many parts of caring for a cat that owners have to consider and be prepared for. Owners are increasingly researching their cat’s needs, both before and after acquiring them, according to the latest CATS Report 2024 from the Cats Protection. They also found that first-time owners may require additional support to build their confidence to help provide what’s best for their cat.
To help, below you will find an overview of what to expect at each stage of a cat’s life, from the early days of first bringing them home as a cute kitten, to helping them live their best life throughout adulthood.
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The Kitten Stage (0-6 months)
Arguably the most adorable stage as they are very small and cute, the first 6 months are a crucial time for your cat and their development. They will go through lots of changes and their experiences at this stage will heavily influence how they are when older. As per the Blue Cross, your kitten should be at least 8 weeks old before coming home with you, so a lot of the responsibility in the first few weeks will be with the breeder and their mother.
- You’ll want to arrange a vet appointment and ensure their initial vaccinations are organised and a general health check-up. This is also the time to discuss neutering and microchipping with your vet – as per the RSPCA, it is a legal requirement to microchip your cat if they’re older than 20 weeks, so do so ASAP.
- Nutrition is very important at this stage, as kittens require a diet rich in protein and formulated specifically for their developmental needs to support their growth, immune system, and energy levels. Ensure fresh water is always available. Ideally, you will need to keep them to the same kitten food they had with the breeder and to the same routine.
- Socialisation early on is key, so you’ll want to help your kitten get used to various people, safe environments in the home, and other pets you may have, to help them develop confidence. Begin litter training as soon as your kitten arrives home too. Hopefully, they would have already seen their mother use one which will help, but you will need patience as accidents can happen!
- Establish a routine that includes regular playtime. This helps with both their socialisation and getting used to being handled, and will keep them mentally stimulated too.
Don’t forget, they grow up fast, so do ensure you enjoy this period of your cat’s life and ensure they have a positive environment.
Adolescence (6 months – 2 years)
The next stage for your kitten is when they start to become the adult cat you want them to be – confident, happy and enjoying life. They are still learning of course, but you’ll see them walk, run, and be as mischievous and curious as you’d expect.
- You could say this is their teenage years, and hopefully, you’ll bond a lot with them during this time, helping them get used to different environments and sounds. Continue to introduce them to people like your friends and family that they’ll see the most as well as other pets.
- Along with getting them into a good routine with food as well as using their litter tray, you’ll want to ensure they make the most of their scratching urges by providing scratching posts and toys to keep them occupied. They can certainly be a handful in these years, so ensure you have everything you need so that they avoid clawing at furniture, curtains and anything else they can find.
- You may see changes in their behaviour as they reach sexual maturity, so following up with your vet about spaying or neutering can help reduce things like spraying or any unwanted behaviours. This is also important if you decide to let your cat outside, which shouldn’t be until they are at least 5 months old, as you will want to reduce any unwanted litters or fighting with other cats.
Adulthood (2-10 years)
Once the kitten stage is over, your cat will be a young adult and continue to mature over the next few years. They’ll become more independent at this stage, so may not crave as much attention from you as when they were a kitten, but they still rely on you for a consistent routine.
- Regular vet check-ups, balanced nutrition suitable for them as adults, and lots of exercise are essential to keep your cat healthy and active. You’ll want to avoid them from becoming overweight, so speak to your vet about the best way to feed them so they get the right balance.
- Your cat may not be as bouncy and curious as when they were a kitten, but they still require mental stimulation and physical activity. Engage them with interactive toys and regular playtime. This will help them feel happy and less stressed overall. Having access to the garden or even a window to watch the world go by can make a difference if they are an indoor cat.
- Keep their dental and grooming routine going to prevent common issues like dental disease and matted fur, and keep an eye on any changes in your cat’s behaviour or physical condition, as these could be early signs of health issues.
If they have everything they need and you keep an eye on their diet and lifestyle, helping them avoid any potential issues like poisoning from eating unsuitable things, you should hopefully only need to visit the vet for checkups during most of their adult life.
Senior Years (10+ years)
Like all of us, your cat will reach the stage where they are fully matured and start to slow down as they reach 10 years old and into their senior years. They can generally be more relaxed and content with simple things like having a nice spot to sleep and stay warm. It’s also at this stage you’ll need to be mindful of their physical health, visiting the vet more frequently if you spot any issues.
- Older cats are more susceptible to conditions such as kidney disease, arthritis, and hyperthyroidism, so visiting the vet for check-ups can help spot and manage pre-existing or chronic conditions early, improving your cat’s quality of life.
- Senior cats still need nutrient-rich food, so speak to your vet about what’s best to maintain their health. Keep an eye on their food and water intake and if you notice any changes such as eating or drinking less, speak to your vet rather than put it down to old age.
- Ensure their environment is as comfortable as possible. Just like you would need when reaching retirement age, somewhere to relax and stay comfy due to being less physically active is important. Consider adding more resting spots with soft bedding around your home.
Keeping Your Cat’s Future Healthy & Happy
As your cat gets older, they will need more attention to their health to keep them in good condition, but when it comes to the unexpected, this can occur at any time. A mischievous kitten or a daring older feline can both suffer from accidents causing injury or even unexpected health issues. This means seeking emergency care from your vet which can be expensive, so being able to cover any issues as they happen is important.
This is where pet insurance becomes invaluable for you and your cat, helping to cover vet fees which can quickly add up across the year. Having a comprehensive pet insurance policy will cover the high costs of emergency vet care, as well as many pre-existing conditions which can be particularly beneficial as your cat gets older. It’s best to sort this early on in your cat’s life so that you can continuously help them as and when issues arise.
Along with having insurance to cover the financial aspect, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet will help your cat stay as fit and healthy as possible. Your vet will be able to offer advice on the best way to do so and where to adjust this as they get older. Hopefully, your cat will stay healthy long into senior life, so here’s to many happy years with your feline companion.
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