The Cat's Pyjamas: Caring for a New Kitten

Bringing a new kitten the home can be a great joy for everyone in the family. Not only do you get a furry pet as company, but you get to watch a kitten grow, and have a life partner that will always be pleased to see you. However, there are a lot of things to think about (such as making your home a safe place for your kitten) when you want to bring a new one home. Read on to know some of the things to think about, including a stain removal tip or two!

Safety for your kitty should be your first concern. Would there be any place or item that could be a hazard to a small cat? This would include items with sharp edges or ends, tight spaces or even certain types of houseplants. Are you in the habit of leaving windows open? Are there any spaces such as under the cooker that your kitten could be trapped? Do a survey of the house and make sure that your kitten can come to no harm. Also, find a vet nearby.

Initially, house training your kitten can take some time, but putting in the effort early will forge good habits and ensure that your cat minds its manners. Cat urine can become a problem, especially if you have young children at home. Start with an easily accessible cat litter tray. To begin the process, place your kitten in the litter tray after feeding, and scratch the litter with your finger. After observing this a fair few times, your kitten will quickly learn that the litter box is its toilet. If it has trouble learning, you should consult a vet about how you can train your cat.

With a new kitten you’d also need a host of new toys and other items. A litter tray, a cat bed, food trays (not to mention the food), and fun toys are the bare minimum items that you’d need. Scratching posts, hygiene products (for declawing and brushing) and other miscellaneous items can help keep your cat happy, but understanding what they need can be an ongoing process. Just think what you would need to put in your home, and budget as required.

Cat urine is a very difficult substance to remove, so you need to be on guard. Confining your pet to certain rooms such as a kitchen can initially prevent your kitten from making too much of a mess, but over time your curious cat will want to explore the rest of the house, too. With good and consistent training, your cat is likely to stain anything with its urine. However, whether on carpet or clothing, Vanish has you covered. Whether your cat has urinated on clothing or the carpet will largely determine what product you use, but turn to Vanish for stains, big or small.

1. Mix 1/4 scoop of powder with 3/4 scoop of water (max 40°) into a paste, or fill the cap provided with a dose of gel.
2. Gently rub stain with the paste or gel using the knobbly base of the scoop and leave for a maximum of 5 minutes.
3. Dissolve 1x scoop of powder or 60ml of gel in 4L of warm water (max 40°) and soak the shirt in the solution for a maximum of one hour.
4. Wash the shirt as usual with your normal detergent and add another scoop of Vanish.
5. Important: Always follow the usage instructions on the Vanish packaging. Do not use on finished or coated surfaces - for example wood, metals etc.