Hello, and welcome to this bonus episode of the Pets at Home Kitten Podcast. The podcast that takes genuine, frequently asked questions from members of our VIP Puppy & Kitten Club and puts them to our panel of experts who give some amazing advice on an array of kitten-related topics.

The stockings have been hung, the tree is up and the countdown to Christmas has begun! The festive season is an exciting time not just for us, but for our kittens too. There are more humans, there’s more food, more fun things to play with… but in addition to all this comfort and joy, there are a few scenarios where things can go very wrong! But don’t worry, a little prep can go a long way towards keeping your kitten out of trouble and ensure that their first Christmas is memorable – in a good way!

Christmas is a time for family, friends and pets! And to ensure it’s a fun, healthy and stress-free celebration for all, we’ve put together this little bonus “Christmas Cracker” episode, to help prevent festive faux pas such as your kitten destroying the Christmas tree, and making sure you give your kitten the right festive feast. So without further ado, let’s don our Christmas jumpers, grab an egg nog and crack on!

Ask the vet - pet safety at Christmas

With family and friends in and out of your home, strange decorations and excitable children, Christmas and New Year are understandably highly stressful and confusing times for your pet. Helping to identify hazards and help you understand how to handle them, we've asked our friends at Vets4Pets to share their expertise.

More seasonal safety advice

How do I kitten-proof my Christmas tree?

Which Christmas plants are poisonous to kittens?

The time of year is fast approaching when people will be filling their homes with all kinds of Christmas trees and plants, from festive Nordic pines through to merry green mistletoe.

If you’re a kitten owner, it’s important to know that some of these pretty festive plants can actually be poisonous for your pet. To help you spot which plants to steer clear of to keep your kitten happy and healthy this Christmas, we’ve put together this helpful guide.

How to tell if your pet hates wearing clothes

List of poisonous foods and substances

Which plants are poisonous to cats?

How to tell if your pet hates wearing clothes

Editor of My VIP magazine, Kate Cornish, puts anxious kitten owners’ questions to the brilliant Dr Samantha Butler Davies, Veterinary Clinical Services Manager, at Vets4Pets, who dishes out some cracking kitten advice.

We reached out to our kitten-owning customers, members of the Pets at Home VIP Puppy & Kitten Club, to ask them what type of questions they’d like answering when it comes to their little bundles of fluff, along with any other reassurance and guidance they’d like us to cover. And this podcast episode is the result.

Why does my kitten eat grass? Why shouldn’t kitten owners have lilies in their gardens? Why do kittens love catnip? Why does my kitten like sitting in a box? Why does my kitten paw at my jumper? Well, Dr Sam has the answers and all the expert advice you need, to make your journey with your new kitten a smooth and happy ride.

Join the club!

If you’re not already member, then why not join the Pets at Home VIP Puppy & Kitten Club? You can join the club via the Pets at Home app, which is free to download, and by doing so you and your Very Important Pet will join the millions of pet owners getting expert advice through their puppy or kitten’s first year. In addition to advice and tips, you’ll also get 10% off your first shop, plus, every swipe of your VIP card raises funds for an animal charity of your choice. We'll send you quarterly updates to let you know how much you've raised. To date, members have helped raise over £10 million for pets in need! What’s not to like?

Looking for more advice?

For more expert advice you can visit vets4pets.com and over on petsathome.com, the Pet Talk section has some great advice too.

Get in touch!

You can get in touch with us via Twitter where our tag is @petsathome

and on Instagram, we are @petsathomeuk

Finally, if you have a puppy-related question you’d like to put to our panel, email it to kittenpodcast@petsathome.co.uk

Kittens are inquisitive creatures, keen to learn about the world and develop their own unique personalities. We learn how raising your kitten in the right kind of environment, with careful handling, can help them adjust to living with humans and all the experiences this normally entails.

Instagram: @petsathomeuk

Twitter: @petsathome

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/cat/kitten

https://www.vets4pets.com/

Just like all pets, kittens can get bored if they’re not given sufficient stimulation. Most cats enjoy interacting with their owner, and playing is a great way to develop the bond between you and your pet. We explore why kittens have play preferences, what those preferences are, and what they mean – and discover which types of toy will suit different preferences.

Instagram: @petsathomeuk

Twitter: @petsathome

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/cat/kitten

https://www.vets4pets.com/

What does your kitten’s body language mean, and why do they behave the way they do? Territory is very important to cats, so it’s no wonder they want to mark out their home as theirs – it’s where they feel safe and secure. We explore marking and scratching, explain spraying, consider what could be causing them stress… and discover how to save your furniture!  

Instagram: @petsathomeuk

Twitter: @petsathome

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/cat/kitten

https://www.vets4pets.com/

Your vet provides expert care for your pet, so you should introduce your kitten to them as soon as possible – it’s the first and most important step in caring for your kitten’s health and wellbeing. There’ll be paperwork to fill out and your vet will be keen to know what (if any) medical care your kitten has already received – we take a look at what to expect. 

Instagram: @petsathomeuk

Twitter: @petsathome

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/cat/kitten

https://www.vets4pets.com/

All kittens are vulnerable to parasitic pests, so it’s important to protect your pet against them. With the help of our Head of Pets, Karlien Heyrman, we take a look at fleas and the different types of worm, and how kittens catch them – and how you can help keep them all at bay.

Instagram: @petsathomeuk

Twitter: @petsathome

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/cat/kitten

https://www.vets4pets.com/

It’s all about nutrition. Kate and her guests will be discussing why giving your kitten the right kind of nutrition, in the right amounts, is one of the most important things you’ll ever do for them.

Instagram: @petsathomeuk

Twitter: @petsathome

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/cat/kitten

https://www.vets4pets.com/