PREPARING FOR THE ARRIVAL OF YOUR NEW FRIEND
​
So soon your Siamese kitten will be joining you as your new family member! Here are some tips and recommendations on items and supplies that you will need to have in advance.
​
EATING AND DRINKING
Bowls for food and water. A dual bowl could be used for wet food on one side and dry on the other. Generally cats prefer their water to be in a bowl away from food, and refreshed regularly. It is also good idea to leave the tap in your bath on a slow drip, this is their preferred watering hole. Making sure they hydrate is important.
We recommend Royal Canin, the wet food (loaf in sauce for kittens) and the kibble - dry food which is the correct size for their mouths, they can choke on kibble aimed at adult cats, and also the smaller kibble is good for their dental health. There are cheaper cat foods out there, but don’t be tempted to cut costs on their developmental well being, Royal Canin products are specifically aimed at their age and developmental needs. They are considered adults at one year of age and can move on to the Royal Canin Siamese kibble, and a choice of their wet foods. If you do wish to use another brand, it is best to phase it in by mixing increasing ratios into their old food to transition, otherwise they can get an upset stomach and you might have to deal with vomit or runny, sticky poo - not pleasant.
We normally send a sample box from Royal Canin and some coupons which has instructions on feeding. Unfortunately these are not available due to a current shortage in the factory, they did however, send us the booklet and coupons. We tend to feed a 3oz can of wet food in the morning, and in the evening, a sample of whatever meat or fish we are
eating ourselves. We leave dry food out all day for grazing - they don’t overeat on this and are able to self-regulate. Although they can survive on a balanced dry food alone, adding wet food ensures they hydrate and creates a healthier balance.
Siamese cats are lactose intolerant, so avoid milk or diary. You may also find they like some odd things like sweetcorn, peas, or chips. Cat treats like Temptations they go wild for, but are really not good for them outside of an occasional treat. Better still, buy a bag of bonito flakes - they LOVE this, and it is much healthier
​
POOP AND SCOOP
Yes, they poop and you scoop! Your little friend is litter trained and as long as they have access to a litter tray you should be accident free. So you will need a litter tray and a scoopy thing. They have currently been using Armor & Hammer Slide. We like this for multiple cats as it is easy to maintain, clumps easily, reduces odor, and doesn’t create dust which otherwise gets everywhere, including their lungs. Other options people swear by include pine pellets and pretty litter.
These cats are indoor cats. They don’t fare well outside, are poorly camouflaged, and vulnerable. So although it may seem tempting to get a cat flap and hope they poop outside - it’s not a good idea. It also changes their personalities and can make them more distant to you as their latent feral personalities come out.
An odd gift we can provide, is a lump of their poo. This seems odd and a terrible thing, but if you place it in their new litter tray, it will immediately be flagged as their place to lay little logs, which may not seem obvious when it smells so neutral to start with.
If you have an existing cat, it is best to have a separate litter tray to avoid accidents, as the kitten will respect the smell of the other cat’s litter tray as being their own domain until they have got to know one another.
Transitioning between cat litters is also done the same as with food, by mixing in the new litter in increasing ratios.
SLEEPING AND LOUNGING
Your kitten will spend a great deal of time snoozing. They love those
cocooned cat beds that are fluffy inside but equally love sleeping on a hard ventilator on the floor if hot air is flowing through it. The best place for a bed would be close to a heat source. If you have a window sill with a view of birds or the street, they will end up liking sitting there too. But mostly, they will seek out animal warmth and end up wanting to cosy on you.
You may sometimes hear of people being kept awake all night with their Siamese cat running about the house, this happens if the cat is left alone all day. They basically then hibernate until you come home and can’t sleep needing to play and exercise. They don’t really like being alone and can become depressed without company for long periods.
​
SETTLING IN
When they first arrive, they will likely be wary. Some kittens may simply just settle straight in, jumping out of the carrier and immediately explore, but will spend a few days calling out for their siblings. They may seem shy and just want to hide in a corner somewhere to assess the situation. In a larger house it would be best to begin in one room, just be sure they have their supplies close at hand. It can be wise to allow the cat to approach you if it is too shy to begin with, rather than rushing into contact. However, at 14- weeks they tend to be more confident and open to change.
If you already have a cat, they may hiss at one another initially. This is normal as they each smell different to what they are used to. This will dissipate eventually and they will end up the same. As your cat will likely be older, the hierarchy is straight forward and they will not need to fight the establish this. In our experience, after initially eating and pooping separately - they quickly end up snuggled up together.
Allowing them to initially meet either side of a door, or through separately smelling one another’s bedding is useful, as is leaving the carrier they arrived in as a bolt hole - they may initially need a safe place to hide while taking it all in.
A good way to speed up the bonding process is to turn the heating off (not much use this time of year) and sit on the sofa with a fleece blanket and a warm rotisserie chicken. You will be guaranteed to attract a friend for life looking for comfort and a chicken dinner!
TROUBLESHOOTING
Meanwhile, we will remain available to answer the silliest of questions if you have any concerns or worries. Please don’t be afraid to ask, it is no trouble and we love the attention. However, in the unlikely event that you can’t cope, and begin to question whether you are a good fit for the cat, or one of life’s curveballs means that you need to let them go, please contact us first. We would be happy to have the cat returned to us and roofer up to a full refund less expenses once we have re-homed them.
​
SUPPLIES
Below are some links for the products your kitten is currently used to. I have not shopped around to see who has the best prices here, but simply given the links so you can easily identify the brands and products. PetSmart has free same day delivery if you have a local store.
As for toys and play structures. You may find they spend more time on the wrapping and in the boxes they come in. They choose their own toys. Our stud’s favorite toy is currently the small plastic lid off Polar Spring bottles being flicked to retrieve. They older sister in in love with chasing a pink fluffy eye mask she stole from my daughter which she want shot using the elastic like firing a rubber band, while their mother will occasionally pick open a favorite plushy of the kids and destroy it overtime in a death wrestle. Laser pointers are fun for a while, they do grow out of them eventually, and flies are natures very own, naturally provided game. Below are the products they have been brought up with and which we recommend:
​
Cat litter
Armor & Hammer Slide
Wet food
Royal Canin Loaf in Sauce Kitten Food
​
Dry food
Royal Canin Kitten Food
​
​
​
​
