DELIMENTO Cattery
Kitten Care Guide
Bringing a kitten home is exciting, and a little nerve-wracking. This page gives you a simple checklist and clear, practical guidance to make the first days and months easy and joyful for both of you. If you have any questions at all, please contact us, we offer lifetime breeder support.
Room & Home Setup
What: A quiet, kitten-proof room (bathroom, laundry room, small bedroom) for the first 3 to 7 days.
Why: Even though your kitten is fully litter-trained, starting in a smaller safe space helps reduce stress, makes it easier for them to adjust to new smells, sounds, and people, and prevents them from hiding in unsafe places.
Tip: Keep food, water, bed and litter box easily accessible in this first space, and gradually expand their territory once they seem relaxed and curious.
Carrier (Included)
What to buy: A sturdy hard-sided carrier for travel, a soft carrier can be used for short trips. Size should fit kitten comfortably with room to turn. We provide a soft fabric carrier in our Welcome Home Kit for all kittens leaving our cattery.
Why: Safe transport to/from vet and for any trip.
Tip: Place comfy towel and a familiar scent (blanket) inside, practice short carrier sessions at home.
Litter & Litter Box
Litter boxes: Our kittens grow up using different types (open box, front-entry, and top-entry), so they adapt easily to what you set up at home.
Litter: We use Nikoro tofu clumping litter (mixed formula). It is low-tracking, controls odor well, and keeps the home cleaner compared to clay litter.
Training: All kittens from Delimento Cattery are fully litter-trained before going home. You do not need to re-train them.
Tip: Scoop daily, full clean monthly. Place box in a quiet, low-traffic spot, avoid putting it next to food.
Food & Feeding Supplies
Diet: We recommend a balanced combination of high-quality dry food and wet food. For kittens under 4 months, we primarily feed Royal Canin Mother & Babycat dry food, the matching wet food from the same line, and ZIWI chicken wet food. We also offer freeze-dried food as a topper, some of the brands we use include Northwest Naturals, Bixbi Rawbble and Instinct.
• Transition: Continue with the same food for at least the first 2 weeks after arrival. Do not change foods during this adjustment period. After that, you may transition gradually (using the 7-day method) to any high-quality kitten food or “all life stages” food.
• Duration: Kittens should remain on kitten formula until at least 12 months old.
Bowls: Shallow stainless steel or ceramic bowls (easier to clean, less tipping). Avoid plastic if possible.
Water: Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. Many kittens enjoy drinking from a pet water fountain, which helps encourage better hydration.
Feeding style: At this age, kittens have short digestive tracts and high energy needs. It is best to provide free-feeding (buffet style) by leaving dry food available at all times. This prevents overeating at mealtimes and reduces the risk of vomiting from eating too quickly.
Treats: Avoid overfeeding treats before 6 months old to prevent picky eating habits.
Raw Diet: We do not feed raw food to kittens at our Cattery and generally do not recommend it, but if you choose this path later, always consult with your vet first and wait until the kitten is fully adjusted.
Tip: Follow package feeding guidelines by weight, but adjust by appetite and body condition. Always provide plenty of fresh water.
Scratching & Play
What: Provide both vertical and horizontal scratchers so your kitten can choose their preferred style. Cat trees, scratch pads, or posts all work well.
Why: Scratching is a natural and essential behavior for cats as it helps them stretch, mark territory, keep claws healthy, and even release emotions (whether they are happy, excited, or stressed).
No declaw: We do not allow declawing. This procedure is painful, unnecessary, and causes long-term health and behavioral problems. The right scratching outlets are the humane solution.
Bedding & resting spots: A cozy cat bed or a perch on a cat tree gives your kitten a safe, comfortable place to rest after play.
Toys & playtime: Choose safe toys without small detachable parts that could be swallowed. Rotate toys regularly to keep your kitten engaged. Daily short play sessions (a few minutes at a time) are best as this builds your bond while preventing overexertion.
Grooming & Care
Brushing: Regular grooming helps prevent mats, reduces hairballs, and bonds you with the kitten. Shorthaired cats usually need brushing every few days, while longhaired cats benefit from daily grooming, especially during shedding season. A starter brush (styles may vary) will be included in your Welcome Home Kit.
Bathing: Indoor cats generally only need a bath every 6 to 12 months, as they groom themselves naturally. Baths can be given more often during heavy shedding or if your cat gets dirty.
Nail Trimming: Trim nails approximately every 2 weeks to prevent overgrowth and scratching injuries. A nail clipper will be included in your Welcome Home Kit for your convenience.
What we provide: Before going to their new homes, all kittens will receive a bath and a nail trim so they are clean, comfortable, and ready to settle in.
Tip: Start slowly and pair grooming with treats so kitten learns to enjoy it.
Veterinary Care & Vaccine
Vaccines: Your kitten will leave our cattery fully vaccinated with the core FVRCP series (8, 12, and 16 weeks) and the rabies vaccine, as well as spayed/neutered and fully recovered.
• Core Vaccines (FVRCP): Protect against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia, three serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses.
• Rabies: Required by law in Ontario and many other regions, and essential for both feline and human safety.
After Adoption: Your veterinarian will advise you on future boosters. Some clinics use 1-year vaccines, while others use 3-year vaccines. Follow your vet’s recommendation and the vaccine’s validity period.
Wellness Exams: Even if vaccinations are not due, we recommend annual check-ups to monitor your cat’s health and detect issues early.
Safety & Kitten-proofing
Checklist: Secure loose cords, remove choking hazards (rubber bands, small toys), keep houseplants out of reach, secure windows and balconies, lock away human medicines and toxic foods.
Common toxins to avoid: chocolate, grapes/raisins, onion/garlic, xylitol (sweeteners), alcohol, caffeine.
Tip: Supervise early roaming - curtains, washers/dryers and narrow gaps are common hiding places.
If you want help preparing the room, choosing a vet, or have any behavioral questions, thank you for reaching out. We’re happy to support you for the life of your cat!