New Kitten Care Guide: Feeding, Vaccines & Training Tips

Congratulations on your new kitten! Welcoming a young cat into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience. While the first six months may be busy, this period lays the foundation for your kitten's long-term health, behaviour, and happiness.

This guide covers the essential aspects of caring for a new kitten in Hong Kong, including feeding, health, grooming, and more.

1. Feeding

Feeding your kitten the right diet from the start is essential for healthy growth and development.

Life Stage Diets

After weaning — typically between 4 to 8 weeks of age — kittens should transition to a complete and balanced kitten food designed specifically for their life stage. These diets support their rapidly developing bodies and immune systems.

Commercial Diets: Dry vs Wet

High-quality commercial diets are generally the easiest and most reliable way to meet your kitten's nutritional needs:

• Dry food: Economical, easy to store, supports dental health

• Wet food: Often more palatable and helps with hydration

• Mixed feeding: Many owners choose a combination of both to offer variety

Note: Avoid calcium supplements unless directed by your vet — balanced diets already contain the right levels.

Treats

Kittens can have occasional treats, such as:

• Natural cat chews

• Raw chicken wings (uncooked only)

Note: Never feed cooked bones as they may splinter and cause injury.

Homemade Diets

While home-cooked diets are possible, they are difficult to balance correctly. Simply feeding meat or meat with rice — even with supplements — is not nutritionally adequate.

If you prefer a homemade diet:

• Always consult a veterinary nutritionist

• Use a professionally formulated recipe to ensure complete nutrition

2. Vaccinations

Vaccinations are essential for protecting your kitten against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. In Hong Kong, your kitten should follow the recommended core vaccination schedule:

Core Vaccine Schedule (Hong Kong):

• 6–8 weeks

• 10–12 weeks

• 16 weeks

These vaccines protect against:

• Feline Panleukopaenia (feline parvovirus)

• Feline Rhinotracheitis (feline herpesvirus)

• Feline Calicivirus (a major cause of cat flu)

After the initial series, annual boosters are recommended throughout adulthood to maintain immunity.

Rabies Vaccination

• Not required in Hong Kong unless your cat will be travelling internationally

• Risk of rabies is considered negligible locally

Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)

• A chronic immunosuppressive disease, rare in Hong Kong

• Vaccination is not typically necessary unless your kitten is:

  • Living in a multi-cat household

  • Going outdoors regularly

  • In contact with stray or unknown-status cats

Note: For tailored vaccination advice, speak to a vet.

3. Worming

Kittens should be wormed at each vaccination visit, then every 3–6 months as adult cats.

Intestinal worms can affect your cat’s health and may be transmissible to humans, especially children.

4. Fleas and Ticks

Fleas are a common cause of itching, skin allergies, and can transmit intestinal worms. Flea prevention is recommended even for indoor cats, especially in Hong Kong’s warmer months.

Ticks, though less common in cats, can transmit Babesia, which causes tick fever — a serious but rare disease.

Recommended flea & tick preventatives:

• Revolution: Monthly topical solution that protects against fleas, heartworm, ear mites, and intestinal worms.

• Frontline Spot-On: Easy monthly flea protection applied to the skin behind the neck.

Note: Avoid using flea shampoos or pyrethrin-based products — these are often ineffective and may be toxic to cats.

5. Bedding & Litter

Provide your kitten with a soft bed, basket or den in a warm, private but accessible area. Bedding should be washed weekly or when dirty.

Litter Tray Tips:

• Place it in a quiet, low-traffic location (e.g. bathroom)

• Keep it away from food and water bowls

• Use clumping, low-odour litter

• Scoop daily to maintain cleanliness

Cats naturally use a litter tray and rarely need toilet training.

6. Grooming

Cats groom themselves, but long-haired breeds need regular brushing to avoid tangles. Start grooming early to help your kitten become accustomed.

Trim claws when they become sharp or your kitten starts catching on furniture or fabric. Use proper cat nail clippers, and consider trimming a few nails at a time to keep things stress-free.

Provide scratching toys or posts to encourage natural behaviour and protect furniture.

7. Training

Cats are intelligent but independent. Toilet training is usually instinctive, but other types of training require patience and rewards.

Use positive reinforcement like treats to encourage behaviours. Avoid punishment, which can lead to fear or confusion.

Note: Always reward immediately after the desired action for effective training.

8. Desexing

Unless you plan to breed your cat, desexing is highly recommended for both health and behavioural reasons.

• Recommended age: from 6 months onward

• Procedure: A day surgery at a veterinary hospital

• Recovery: Most cats recover fully within 24 hours

Desexing helps prevent unwanted pregnancies, reduces the risk of certain cancers, and can curb unwanted behaviours.