Kitten Guide

• • Kitten - 10 key facts
  • A brief breed guide
  • Cattery guide
  • Dealing with an emergency
  • Essential equipment
  • Feline ailments
  • House or outdoor cat?
  • Housetraining your kitten
  • How vets can help
  • Keeping your kitten healthy
  • Looking out for signs of illness
  • Nursing a sick kitten
  • Playing with your kitten
  • Preventing parasites
  • Responsible ownership
  • Starting a healthy diet
  • Successful grooming
  • Travel advice

With over 100 different breeds of cat, it’s worth knowing the general characteristics associated with them. Some pet insurance companies will take the breed of your cat into consideration when deciding what premium to charge. Non-pedigree cats are tougher, less likely to suffer from inherited conditions and cheaper to insure.

Moggies
These mixed breeds or non-pedigree are the most popular. They are usually intelligent and affectionate.

The shorthair group
Generally more athletic than longhairs. They fall into two main groups, round-faced British, American and European shorthairs and the long-limbed, lean-featured cats of Asia.

The semi-longhair group
Members of this group include the Maine Coon and Balinese. Coats can be shorter over the main body,with tufts and longer fur on the flanks and legs. They need to be thoroughly groomed at least once a week.

The longhair group
Persians are the most popular group of longhairs. General characteristics are pug-like faces, broad chest, sturdy legs, long thick coat and distinctive ruff around the neck. They require daily grooming.