Kitty's Meow & Beyond

You are curled up on the sofa. Your kitten climbs into your lap, settles in, and starts licking your hand. Again. And again. Why does she do it? The short answer: licking is how kittens bond, claim and explore. In most cases it means she trusts you. Sometimes she just likes the salty taste of your skin. And occasionally it can be a sign of stress, or a habit left over from being weaned too early. Here are the seven most common reasons, what each one looks like, and when licking is worth a trip to the vet. This guide does not replace professional veterinary advice. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. 1. She loves you This is the reason most owners hope for, and it is usually the right one. Cats groom the cats they trust, a behaviour vets call allogrooming. It strengthens social bonds and says "you are family". When your kitten licks you during a quiet cuddle, r...

The first Bangs of the evening catch her mid-step. One second she is batting a toy mouse across the rug. The next she is gone, wedged behind the sofa, eyes wide. Bonfire Night is hard on grown cats. It is harder on kittens who have never heard a firework before. How do you keep a kitten calm on Bonfire Night? Keep her indoors after dark, set up a cosy hiding spot days in advance, close the curtains, plug in a pheromone diffuser, and let her choose where to hide when the bangs start. Small steps now make a big difference on the night. This guide does not replace professional veterinary advice. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Why fireworks scare kittens so much A kitten hears far more than you do. Cats pick up sounds at much higher pitches than humans. A firework bang arrives as a sudden, shocking blast. There is the flash too. Bright pops of light through the window make ...

  Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. The short answer A new kitten skipping one or two meals in the first few days home is usually just stress — and it often fixes itself. But if your kitten hasn't eaten for 24 hours, or is lethargic, vomiting or has diarrhoea alongside it, call your vet right away. Kittens can develop a dangerous liver condition from going without food much faster than adult cats can, and tiny kittens under 8 weeks shouldn't go more than a few hours without eating. This guide does not replace professional veterinary advice. Why new kittens go off their food Imagine being 8 weeks old and suddenly living somewhere completely different, with strange smells, strange people and no mum. Most kittens react to that by shutting down a little. Food refusal is one of the most common signs. Here are the usual suspects, from most common to least. 1. Settling-in stres...

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. What human foods can kittens eat? Most human food is not right for kittens. Their little bodies are built for a very specific diet, and our dinners do not match it. That said, a few plain foods are safe as tiny, occasional treats. Small bits of cooked chicken, boneless fish or plain scrambled egg will not hurt a healthy kitten. But several everyday foods are genuinely dangerous for kittens. Onion, garlic, grapes and chocolate can cause real harm, even in small amounts. This guide covers what is safe, what to avoid completely, and how to share food with your kitten the right way. This guide does not replace professional veterinary advice. Safe human foods for kittens (tiny amounts only) Think of these as treats, not meals. Everything below is safe only when it is plain, cooked and given in very small quantities. Cooked chicken or turkey Plai...

  Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. The short answer International Cat Care advises supervised outdoor time once vaccinations are complete, at around 13 to 14 weeks old, and waiting until about 6 months old before a kitten goes out unsupervised. By then she should be fully vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. Letting her out earlier raises her risk of disease, pregnancy and road accidents. Why the age matters so much Kittens finish their primary vaccination course at around 12 weeks. Immunity kicks in a week or two after the second jab. So she has some disease protection by about 13-14 weeks. But most UK charities still advise keeping kittens indoors until about 6 months. There are good reasons. Young kittens are small, clumsy and easily scared. Road accidents are the biggest killer of young cats in the UK. A 4-month-old kitten also can't defend herself or find her way h...

Yes — most kittens take to a harness far better than adult cats, especially when you introduce it early. Start training indoors from around 8 weeks, choose a vest or H-style escape-proof harness, and check the fit with the two-finger rule. Short garden walks can begin a week after the second vaccination, at around 13 to 14 weeks. Illustration Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Why escape-proof matters for kittens Kittens are little wriggle artists. Their bodies are narrow and flexible, and a frightened kitten can back out of a loose strap in seconds. This backwards-wriggle escape is the number one reason kittens slip their harnesses. A collar and lead alone is not enough. Kittens easily slip out of collars when startled, and a sudden pull can injure their fragile windpipe. Cats Protection advises that if a cat wears a collar at all, it should be a quick-release safety collar, and...

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. The short answer For UK kittens, worming starts at 2–3 weeks old and flea spot-on treatments start at 8 weeks. Below are the 5 products chosen because they are kitten-safe, well tolerated and easy to use at home. Nothing here replaces your vet's advice. Parasite products are medicines, and kittens are small and sensitive. If you are ever unsure which product suits your kitten's age and weight, ask your vet or vet nurse first. This guide does not replace professional veterinary advice.   Illustration Why kittens need parasite protection early It is safe to assume every kitten is born with roundworms. They pick them up through their mother's milk, and the eggs are microscopic — invisible to the naked eye. Worms steal the nutrition a growing kitten needs. Heavy infestations cause vomiting, diarrhoea, a swollen tummy and poor growth. That...

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your kitten — without spending a fortune? Good news. You don't need to. Every pick on this list costs under £20, and each one is something a kitten will actually use and enjoy. We've rounded up 10 budget-friendly Christmas gifts for kittens, from classic catnip toys to clever interactive gadgets. Whether it's your kitten's first Christmas or you're buying for a friend's new arrival, there's something here for every little whiskered face. Illustration 1. Chiwava Catnip Mice Multipack You can't go wrong with catnip mice. They're the classic kitten toy for a reason — small, soft, and perfect for pouncing. This multipack means there's always a fresh one when the favourite goes under the sofa. Great value for a stocking filler. Check today's price on Amazon → ...

  A kitten will chew your phone cable, climb your curtains and swallow things you would never expect. The fix is simple: walk through your flat room by room before she arrives, and sort out the real hazards. One afternoon is all it takes. Here is exactly what to do. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Start with the kitten's-eye view Get down on your knees and crawl through each room. Seriously. From kitten height you will spot dangling cables, tiny choke hazards and gaps you never noticed. Keep a bin bag handy as you go. Living room This is where your kitten will spend most of her time, so start here. Cables. Tuck them behind furniture, clip them to the wall, or run them through cord covers. A teething kitten will chew cables, and a chewed cable can burn or shock her. A thick cable protector from a hardware store works well. Check today's price on Amazon → Blind...