Asians have wonderful characters. They are intelligent, confident and loving creatures that fit into virtually any household environment.

Bringing your new kitten into your home should be a very rewarding and special experience. To ensure all goes smoothly some careful preparation is required.

PREPARING FOR YOUR NEW ARRIVAL
A carrying basket – Before collecting your kitten you should buy a cat carrier, it is not safe to carry a kitten loose in the car. If you are planning to show your kitten a top opening basket is required. There are other types available, whichever you decide on it should be easy to disinfect and should be draught proof. Cardboard carriers are not advisable and are designed primarily for emergencies.
Bedding – It is not necessary to buy an expensive bed for your kitten, as often a cardboard box is favoured. Make sure that it is lined with warm blankets or bedding such as ‘Vetbed’. It is essential to keep your new kitten warm and preferably quiet, so choose a suitable place where the sleeping basket/bed can be placed permanently.
Whatever you choose make sure that it is draught proof and large enough for the cat to stretch out in when it becomes an adult.
Dishes – These should be made of an easily cleaned and sturdy material. It is a good idea to put a rubber feed mat under them, which will keep the feeding area clean.
Fresh water is essential. It is important to leave the food and water in the same place so that the new kitten knows where to find it and can eat undisturbed Litter tray –
Litter Tray – This is a vital piece of equipment and should be made of a material that is easily disinfected. Again the tray should be placed in a permanent position. Hooded trays are excellent as they stop the litter from being scattered about. They often have a swinging flap at the front, which should be taped open until the kitten is used to the new tray.
Various types of litter are available but it is recommended that you use the same type as the breeder in the initial weeks. If you wish to change to a different type, start by mixing the two together and gradually phased one out.
Scratching post – There are many elaborate climbing frames and posts available and cats appreciate them all! However, a simple post will provide your kitten with a place to sharpen its claws.
A Vet – If this is your first pet, then it is advisable to find a vet prior to bring home your new kitten. Ask friends for recommendations.   However, do not stress your new kitten by immediately taking it to meet your vet. Let it settle into it’s new environment first. Remember veterinary waiting rooms are high risk for airborne viruses!

COLLECTING YOUR NEW KITTEN
Your kitten will be over twelve weeks old by the time you collect it. It will have had two injections against Feline Infectious Enteritis and Cat Flu, usually at nine and twelve weeks.

– Aim to collect you kitten when you will be home to give it the support and attention it needs during the settling in period.

– Before you leave the breeder make sure you go through its feeding regime and clarify any details you may be unsure of.

– The breeder will go through the paperwork with you and provide you with – a signed and dated pedigree, GCCF transfer form, vaccination certificate, insurance certificate and diet sheet.

– Reputable breeders are very than happy to offer help and advice (should you need it)

SETTLING IN
Your new kitten is best confined to one room until it has gained confidence in you and its new environment. Your kitten needs to know it has a safe haven.

Always teach children how to correctly handle a cat or kitten; a good rule to teach young children is that they are not to wake the kitten if it is sleeping. That way the kitten will have time to rest undisturbed.

If possible give the kitten time to adjust to its new surroundings before you introduce it to other family pets.

When the time comes introduce it in its travel basket, so that it doesn’t take flight and hide. If it should appear stressed, place it back in its room. It can take several weeks before a kitten is fully accepted into the household.

Take it slowly, it is essential that you avoid confrontation. Kittens are naturally very inquisitive and will manage to get themselves into all sorts of trouble, it is therefore important that any “precious” ornaments are locked away before you introduce your kitten to its new home.

Asians are intelligent cats and like most cats have a low boredom threshold; it is therefore necessary to provide them with toys and most importantly of all, company.

They love people, other cats and dogs. If they are left alone they can make mischief!

WARNING!!
They are able to open most doors! If your kitten is eventually to have access to the outside world, ensure that it is kept in at night, as most road accidents occur then.

HEALTH CARE
It is very important that you follow the breeder’s advice on feeding your new kitten when you first take it home.

Changes in diet whilst the kitten is coming to terms with its new environment will soon cause stomach upsets, which can become very serious. 

If at any time the kitten appears ill, contact your breeder who may recommend you take it to a vet. Your kitten will have been given the very best start in life and will have been wormed, vaccinated and insured for at least 4 weeks, it is now up to you to ensure that this care continues.

NEUTERING
Un-neutered males tend to stray away from home and entire females will become extremely vocal when they start to call (sometimes as early as 4 months of age). If you have not purchased your kitten as a breeding stud or queen it is imperative that you have it neutered or spayed at around 6 months of age.

AVOIDING MISHAPS IN THE HOME
Many houseplants are poisonous to cats, as are many household cleaners and disinfectants such as Detol, Lysol, Jeyes Fluid, Iodine and TCP.

A weak bleach solution or special propriety brands such as Trigene are recommended.

Other hazards are washing machines, tumble dryers, fridges, hot plates, cookers, unprotected fires, chimneys and open windows and balconies in flats.

MICROCHIPPING
Please refer to our page on the laws surrounding mandatory microchipping.  


SHALL I LET MY KITTEN OUT?
This will be one of the biggest decisions you will have to make on behalf of your new kitten. The volume of traffic these days is very heavy and the roads are a dangerous place for a small kitten.  Small country lanes can also be hazardous. Even though they seem quiet and safe, it only takes one vehicle!

Most breeders will ask you to confine your kitten indoors until after neutering. Not only does this keep it safe, but it allows time for the kitten to bond to its new home and family.

Many people these days provide their cats with a run, a fenced area within their garden or have their balcony fenced in, there are even firms that produce special ‘V’ shaped wire windows.

Providing a safe play area is by far the most satisfactory situation for all concerned as it provides an interesting dimension to the cats life which and allows it access to fresh air, the opportunity to sunbathe and to watch birds etc. without the risk of being involved in a road accident or getting into fights with other cats that may carry Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) or other diseases.

In an ideal world our cats would be able to free-range without threat. However, it is up to us to provide the safest environment whilst providing our pet with as much stimulation as possible. A cat that lives in a flat may not have access to the delights of the outside world but also it does not have to contend with it’s dangers

With plenty of love, good food and companionship it will most likely live to a ripe and happy old age, whereas many young cats are killed on the roads within their first year of life. There are also more sinister threats from the fur trade who require healthy well, fed cats with glossy pelts!

If after due consideration you decide that you live in an area that will be safe enough to give your kitten access to the outside world, it is strongly recommended that you vaccinate it against FeLV (Feline Leukaemia) before letting it out.  Please also ensure that your kitten is microchipped before allowing it outside.

All that remains for us to say is – Enjoy your Asian kitten, you have chosen the best breed in the world!!!