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!

Welcome Home Kit

Every Delimento kitten goes home with a complimentary Welcome Home Kit to help make the transition into their new home a little easier.

Your Welcome Home Kit typically includes:

Soft Carrier
Transition Food
Familiar Litter
Starter Brush
Nail Clipper
Toothbrush
Toys

Contents and brands may vary slightly depending on availability and what your kitten is currently using at our cattery.

Because we provide your kitten's initial carrier, transition food, litter, and basic grooming supplies, there are only a few essentials you need to have ready before bringing your kitten home:

A litter box and litter scoop
Food and water bowls
Fresh water or a pet water fountain
A scratching post, scratching pad, or cat tree
A comfortable resting area

You don't need to buy everything at once. A simple setup is perfectly fine for the first few days, and you can always upgrade to larger cat trees, fountains, beds, and other accessories as you learn what your kitten prefers.

Room & Home Setup

For the first 3 - 7 days, we recommend starting your kitten in a quiet, kitten-proof room such as a bedroom, office, or other comfortable enclosed space. Set up their litter box, food, water, scratching area, toys, and a comfortable place to rest within this room. Starting with a smaller space helps your kitten quickly learn where everything is and gives them time to adjust to unfamiliar people, smells, sounds, and surroundings without becoming overwhelmed.

Even though your Delimento kitten is already litter-trained, socialized, and accustomed to a home environment, moving into a new home is still a big change.

You may also plug in a Feliway diffuser in the kitten's room before arrival. It may help your kitten feel more comfortable and relaxed while adjusting to their new environment.

Once your kitten is eating normally, using the litter box consistently, playing, exploring, and showing curiosity about what is outside the room, you can gradually give them access to more of the home.

Tip: There is no need to rush. Some kittens are ready to explore almost immediately, while others prefer a few quiet days before venturing out. Let your kitten's behavior guide you.

For a more detailed guide on preparing and kitten-proofing your home, please see our How to Prepare Your Home Before Bringing a Kitten Home article.

Food & Feeding

Our kittens are raised on a combination of high quality dry and wet food. For kittens under 4 months, we primarily feed Royal Canin Mother & Babycat and Purina Pro Plan Kitten dry food, along with wet food from the same lines and ZIWI Chicken wet food.

Transition Period: 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.

One of the questions we receive most often is: How often should I feed my kitten?

At Delimento, our young kittens have free access to dry food, what we like to call “buffet style.” Growing kittens have high energy and nutritional needs, so we prefer smaller, frequent meals throughout the day rather than only one or two large meals. This also helps prevent kittens from overheating at mealtimes and reduce the risk of vomiting from eating too quickly.

Buffet Style: This is what we primarily use at Delimento. Dry kitten food remains available throughout the day so kittens can eat small amounts when they are hungry.
Automatic Feeder: A great option for families who work outside the home. It can provide several small portions throughout the day.
Scheduled Feeding: If you prefer scheduled meals, we recommend at least 3 to 5 smaller meals per day while your kitten is young. Feeding your kitten yourself can also become a positive daily interaction and help strengthen your bond.

Tip: There is no need to copy our feeding routine exactly. Choose a routine that provides frequent, appropriate meals while fitting realistically into your household.

We keep traditional treats limited before 6 months old to help prevent picky eating habits. Instead, we prefer using freeze dried food or toppers as treats. Some brands we use include Northwest Naturals, BIXBI Rawbble, and Instinct. We may also occasionally offer small amounts of plain boiled chicken breast or cooked egg yolk.

We do not feed raw food to kittens at our cattery and generally do not recommend it because of potential bacterial and parasite risks. If you choose to introduce a raw diet later, please consult with your vet first and wait until your kitten is fully adjusted to their new home.

Water & Hydration

Fresh water should be available to your kitten at all times.

We recommend a stable ceramic water bowl that is not easily tipped over. You can also provide water in multiple areas of your home to encourage your kitten to drink throughout the day.

Many kittens enjoy moving water, and a fountain can encourage them to drink more. At Delimento, we currently use water bowls and provide fresh water daily, although we have also used fountains extensively in the past.

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If you use a fountain:

Replace the filter regularly.
Clean the pump and interior thoroughly.
Pay attention to small corners where residue can accumulate.
Keep it away from direct sunlight.

For our multi cat household, we find regular water bowls easier to clean and refresh. For a home with one or two cats, however, a properly maintained fountain can be an excellent option.

Tip: The “best” water setup is the one you can keep consistently clean and your kitten actually enjoys using. Whether you choose bowls, a fountain, or both, easy access to fresh water is what matters most.

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Litter & Litter Box

Your kitten is already fully litter-trained before leaving our cattery. The most important thing after bringing them home is simply helping them recognize where their new litter box is and keeping their setup clean and familiar.

Our kittens are introduced to different styles of litter boxes while growing up, including:

Open litter boxes (for younger kittens)
Front-entry litter boxes
Top-entry / front-entry combination litter boxes

By the time our kittens normally leave at approximately 12 - 16 weeks of age, they are already comfortable using enclosed and entry-style litter boxes.

Our personal favourite is an enclosed litter box with a front entrance and top exit because, in our experience, it significantly reduces litter tracking around the house. When the cat exits through the top, much of the loose litter on their paws falls back onto the lid rather than being carried across the floor.

Tip: If your new litter box has a swinging front door, you can simply remove or secure the door open for the first few days. Once your kitten is confidently entering and using the box, you can reinstall or close the door.

When choosing a litter box, we also recommend buying a generously sized box rather than choosing one based only on your kitten's current size. British Shorthairs and British Longhairs grow considerably from 12-16 week-old kittens into adults, so a larger box will usually serve them much longer.

For multi-cat households, we recommend one litter box per cat, plus one extra. This helps reduce competition between cats. In a multi-level home, it is also a good idea to have at least one litter box on each floor.

Over the years, we have tried many different types of cat litter. Our personal preference is tofu or tofu-mixed clumping litter, primarily because we find it less dusty and easier to keep clean around the home. Compared with some traditional clay litters, tofu-based litter generally produces less airborne dust during pouring and scooping, making it a better fit for our household and cattery. Currently, as of August 2026, we are using Nikoro tofu mixed clumping litter.

We have also consistently preferred clumping litter over non-clumping varieties because urine and soiled litter can be removed together during daily scooping. In our experience, this makes cleaning easier and helps keep the litter box fresher and more hygienic.

We recommend maintaining approximately 6-8 cm of litter depth. Using too little litter may seem more economical, but it can actually create more work. When the litter layer is too shallow, urine clumps are more likely to reach and stick to the bottom or sides of the litter box. With sufficient depth, the litter has more room to absorb moisture and form a complete clump before reaching the bottom.

For reference, in our own setup, we typically fill a freshly cleaned litter box with approximately two 2.5 kg bags of Nikoro tofu mixed clumping litter, although the amount you need will depend on the size and shape of your litter box.

Litter Box Routine

Scoop daily, completely replace monthly.

Removing urine clumps and stool daily is one of the simplest ways to control odor and keep the litter box clean. As the litter level gradually gets lower, you can add a small amount of fresh litter as needed. There is no need to continuously refill the box back to its original level. We prefer to gradually use down the litter and completely replace it every 3-4 weeks.

Over time, tofu pellets and other litter particles naturally break into smaller pieces. Urine clumps may also break apart during scooping, leaving behind tiny soiled particles that are difficult to remove individually. If fresh litter is continuously added without fully replacing the old litter, these particles can accumulate and eventually contribute to odor.

For this reason, we recommend approximately every 3-4 weeks:

Dispose of all remaining litter.
Wash and clean the litter box thoroughly.
Allow the box to dry.
Refill it completely with fresh litter.

Tip: Don't judge the cleanliness of a litter box only by whether the visible clumps have been removed. A complete litter replacement and box wash every few weeks helps remove the small soiled particles left behind and makes a noticeable difference in long-term odor control.

Scratching & Play

Scratching is a natural and essential behavior for cats. It helps maintain their claws, stretch their muscles, and release energy. Instead of trying to stop scratching, the goal is to provide an appropriate place for your cat to do it. We do not allow declawing!

If your kitten starts scratching furniture, place a scratcher close to the area they already like to use. For example, a vertical scratcher beside the sofa can provide an easy alternative to scratching the sofa itself. Pay attention to whether your cat prefers vertical or horizontal surfaces and provide a similar option nearby.

Choosing a Cat Tree

British Shorthairs and Longhairs can grow into fairly large, solid cats, so choose a cat tree with their adult size and weight in mind. We recommend a sturdy, well-built tree with a wide, strong base and platforms large enough for an adult cat to rest comfortably. Solid wood or wooden structures are our personal preference for their stability and durability.

For taller cat trees, always make sure they do not wobble or tip when your cat jumps on them. Secure them to the wall when appropriate. A cozy cat bed or comfortable perch on the cat tree also gives your kitten a safe place to relax and rest after play.

Toy & Playtime

Keep each session to around 10 to 15 minutes, allowing your kitten time to rest in between. Two to three short play sessions a day is usually plenty for a young kitten.

Rotate toys occasionally to keep them interesting, and always supervise toys with strings, ribbons, feathers, or small detachable pieces that could be swallowed.

Daily play helps keep your kitten active and mentally stimulated. Teaser wands, balls, springs, tunnels, and other simple cat toys are all great options. Interactive play also provides an outlet for natural chasing and hunting instincts while helping strengthen your bond.

Tip: You do not need a house full of expensive cat toys. A sturdy cat tree,

appropriate scratchers, a few favorite toys, and regular short play sessions are more than enough.

Grooming & Routine Care

Regular grooming helps keep your kitten comfortable and also gives you a chance to notice changes in their coat, skin, ears, teeth, and nails early. Starting these routines while your kitten is young also makes grooming much easier as they grow.

Your Welcome Home Kit includes a small grooming brush, nail clipper, and kitten toothbrush to help you get started. Before leaving for their new home, every kitten receives a nail trim, ear cleaning, and a thorough bath and grooming, so they go home clean, fresh, and ready to settle in.

Brushing: Regular brushing helps remove loose and dead hair, keeps the coat in good condition, and reduces the amount of hair your cat swallows during self-grooming, which may help reduce hairballs. Shorthaired cats generally benefit from brushing once or twice a week, while longhaired cats may need brushing every few days or more frequently during shedding season.

A starter brush, with styles varying depending on availability, will be included in your Welcome Home Kit. If you would like to invest in a higher quality grooming tool, we personally recommend Chris Christensen combs. They are a little more expensive, but we have found them extremely durable and effective. You can also use a pet-safe de-shedding or grooming spray before brushing.

Face Clean: From our experience, some British kittens may need a little help keeping their face and eye area clean. If you notice normal tear residue around the eyes, simply wipe the area gently with a soft cotton pad or clean cloth dampened with warm water, then pat the area dry with a tissue or clean towel. For kittens that tend to have more tear residue, a quick daily face cleaning can help keep the fur around the eyes clean and prevent staining or buildup.

Nail Trimming & Ear Cleaning: We recommend trimming your cat's nails approximately every 2 weeks to prevent overgrowth and accidental scratches. This is also a convenient time to check their ears. Some wax is normal, but if you notice visible buildup, gently clean the outer, accessible areas with a pet-safe ear cleaner and cotton pad or gauze. Avoid inserting cotton swabs deep into the ear canal.

Dental Care: Your Welcome Home Kit includes a kitten toothbrush so you can begin introducing dental care once their adult teeth have come in, usually around 6 months old. Use only toothpaste specifically made for pets. Start slowly. In the beginning, simply allowing your kitten to become comfortable with having their mouth and teeth touched is more important than achieving a perfect brushing session. Gradually work toward regular tooth brushing as they become comfortable with the routine.

Bathing: For most indoor cats, bathing can simply be done as needed, such as when the coat becomes dirty, greasy, or difficult to clean through normal grooming. Use only pet-safe shampoo and conditioner suitable for cats, and rinse thoroughly. After bathing, towel dry first and keep your cat warm until completely dry. If using a dryer, use a comfortable temperature and introduce the sound and airflow gradually.

Tip: Pair nail trimming, brushing, and other grooming routines with praise or a favorite treat. This helps your kitten build a positive association with being handled. Short, calm sessions done regularly are often much easier than one long session for both you and your kitten.

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!