RECOMMENDATIONS ON CAT CARE

NEW HOME
Upon arriving home with your new cat/kitten, put your new arrival in a room where he/she will feel secure. I would not recommend the bathroom. A bedroom would be a good choice. Provide your cat/kitten with plenty of food, fresh water, a litter box, and a comfortable bed in which your cat/kitten will feel safe. Cats/kittens seem to “ask” to come out and explore the rest of the house when they feel ready.

If you have a multiple cat home, it is suggested that you quarantine your new arrival for a period of time. As your cat/kitten becomes more comfortable in his/her new surroundings, gradually introduce the new cat/kitten to the resident pets. Expect some hissing and growling for a few days prior to new friendships. It may take an older cat one or two weeks to one or two months to adjust to his/her new home.

FOOD AND WATER
Have dry food and water available at all times.  This cat/kitten has been eating Nutro Natural Choice Kitten dry food mixed with  Iam's Adult Hairball Formula dry food, and Life's Abundance dry food. You may purchase Life's Abundance online and have it autoshipped to your home, if you'd like. This is the website:http://www.healthypetnet.com  This cat/kitten has also been eating ProPlan wet food in the Chicken and Liver flavor, as well as the new Fancy Feast with garden greens. Always select a high quality canned food, as many of the brands sold at the grocery store often give cats runny stools. Additionally this cat/kitten has been eating a supplement of raw turkey strips and raw beef strips. If you are uncomfortable with raw, you can boil some chicken and/or turkey (no seasonings) and cut it into small pieces.

If you choose to change brands of food, switch the diet gradually, adding small amounts of the new food to the familiar food to avoid loose stools. Although tempting, do not feed table scraps. Do not give kittens milk.

Stainless steel bowls are recommended over plastic. Plastic can harbor bacteria. Wash out the water bowl daily, as the bowls can get a bit of a slimy coating. My cats like me to dump old dry food daily too. It is not as appealing to them once it has sat out for a day.

CAT LITTER
My cats and I prefer Scoop Away With Crystals clumping clay litter. I do use a corn based litter, Worlds Best Cat Litter, when kittens are small and want to try eating the litter. By the time they have used the box for a couple weeks, eating the litter is not longer an issue.

Clean the litter box at once a day. I clean mine twice a day. Cats do not like to use dirty litter boxes. Every two to four weeks, I suggest you dump all the litter and clean the box with a bleach solution mixed with 10 parts water.

A general rule of thumb is one litter box per cat. With a young kitten, the litter box needs to be placed in an easy to get to location. If you have a large house, then I suggest adding another litter box.

If you change brands of litter, and the cat does not like the new litter, he will let you know by not using the box! Time to go back to the old litter or try a different brand.

Should you ever have a litter box problem, and it is not due to any of the above causes, have your cat checked for a urinary infection or worms.

Cats want to use the litter box. If they don't, they are telling you something is wrong.

TRIMMING NAILS - DECLAWING
Declawing is unnecessary if you keep your cat’s/kitten’s nails trimmed. Begin trimming your cat/kittens nails on a regular basis now, so they become accustomed to it. There is a link on my website on the "Links" page which demonstrates how to trim a cat's nails. Declawing can break the spirit of your cat and encourage biting as a way to defend itself.

VACCINES
Your cat/kitten will have received  FVRCP vaccinations appropriate for age.  This kitten has not been vaccinated for rabies. If a cat is indoors only, rabies vaccinations may not be necessary. It may be required by some states, however, or if you ever need to board your cat. Discuss with your veterinarian whether you want to vaccinate for feline leukemia. If your cat is only in the house, these vaccinations may be unnecessary. If you need to board your cat, walk him/her on a leash, or have contact with any other cats, these vaccinations would be a necessary precaution.

The current recommendation for vaccines is a boaster at one year of age, then every three years after that. Vaccinations carry the risk of creating a vaccination site sarcoma.

ACTIVITY LEVEL
Bengals are active, playful, and curious cats. That’s what makes them so much fun to live with! You may need to do a little “child-proofing” around your house. If you have a favorite vase or object that you couldn’t bear to have knocked over, better move it until you get an idea of your Bengal’s activity level. If your kitten/cat is enjoying something you'd rather they not, the best method is to divert their attention to something else more appropriate. Try some to the following toys. These are my cats favorites: toy mice, feather teasers, balls, and balls of rabbit fur.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Do not allow your cat/kitten to roam freely outdoors; there are too many risks. Your cat/kitten may be stolen, hit by a car, pick up diseases from other cats, or fall prey to a coyote. Cats/ kittens who stay in the house all the time will not ask to go outside.

Do not allow your cat/kitten to chew on house plants. Many house plants are poisonous, so move the plant out of reach until you are sure of its toxicity and whether or not your cat finds it enticing.

Check drawers, the refrigerator, closets, and the dryer before you close them! Being quick and curious, your Bengal just may have gone in to investigate!

Remember, the more love and attention you shower on your kitten/cat, the more loving they become. Always let your kitten/cat know how special they are to you! Please contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing stories of your adventures with your new Bengal!
 

May You Live Happily Ever After with Your Enchanted Tail!