| House or outdoor cat? |
The choice is yours, most cats live happily in either environment. Just watch out - they can easily have accidents wherever they are, so take out a reputable pet insurance policy.
First steps
Let your kitten settle down in the house for
the first few weeks, even if you do intend to let her become an outdoor cat.
She must also be fully vaccinated before being allowed out. At first, it's a
good idea to let her out just before meal-times, that way she will get hungry
quickly and want to return home. You can even use a harness if you don't want
her to stray far.
House cat
Cats that live indoors should have lots to
keep them occupied. Play regularly with your kitten and introduce new toys as
often as you can. Provide a scratching post, so she can sharpen her claws and
safe grass to chew on - so your kitten doesn't start attacking house-plants,
some of which can be poisonous. Finally a full water bowl, a litter tray and a
cosy bed should always be available.
Outdoor kitten
Night time can be particularly dangerous,
particularly if you live by busy roads. So try to keep you pet at home once
daylight is fading. Also watch out for unwelcome guests if you have a catflap.
Other cats may pop in which could upset your pet.
Protecting your garden
Set part of your garden aside for your cat's
toilet - you can encourage her to use this area by sprinkling used cat litter.
Vulnerable plants should be protected with mesh, while catnip and catmint will
attract her to less precious parts of the garden. Another tip is to spread
broken eggshells and old tea-bags to help prevent her walking across
flowerbeds. Remove plants such as deadly night-shade that are poisonous and
avoid buying harmful pesticides
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