• Gauze pads 
• Cotton balls and swabs 
• Adhesive tape 
• Elastic cling bandage 
• Disposable gloves 
• Hydrogen peroxide (3%) 
• Antiseptic wipes 
• Sterile eye lubricant 
• Styptic pencil 

Stocking your emergency kit with these perishable items isn’t a once-and-done task.  

“Remember, food and medications need to be rotated out of your emergency kit—otherwise, they may go bad and become useless,” Anderson says.  

To keep the kit stocked, she suggests reviewing the contents of your pet emergency kit twice a year, when you change the clocks during daylight saving time. Use up or discard any items that are close to their expiration date and replace them with fresh supplies.  

To ensure your pet has plenty of food, water, and medicine, include the following in your kit: 

• A seven- to 10-day supply of pet food 
• A seven-day supply of clean drinking water 
• A 14-day supply of pet medications 
• Food and water bowls 

• Pet registration paperwork or adoption record 
• Your pet’s microchip number  
• A physical photo of you and your pet 

These documents can be important if you’re separated from your pet. 

• A waterproof container to store all items 
• Bags for pet waste 

• Treats 
• Booties to protect your pet’s paws 

• A few pet-nursing bottles, like the Lixit Baby Small Animal Bottle Nursing Kit, which comes with two extra nipples and a cleaning brush. Having multiple nipples ensures you’ll always have a clean bottle at the ready. Nipples encourage kittens to latch, since they mimic the mama cat’s anatomy. Many bottles come with nipples, but double-check to make sure the bottles you’re looking at do.
• Pet-safe cleaning supplies to wash your bottles and nipples.
• A thermometer to make sure the formula is warm enough but not too hot. An ideal temperature for kitten formula is around 98–102 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Plastic syringe (optional) in case a newborn kitten is having trouble latching. The Lixit Handfeeding Syringe is a great option.
• Small cloths to catch inevitable milk dribbles and to clean up potential messes.
• A scale to help you track whether your kitten is gaining weight appropriately.

“Starting at 4 weeks of age, you can start introducing kitten food, followed by bottle-feeding four times a day,” she adds. “When the kittens are eating a tablespoon of kitten food at each of the four meals, bottle-feeding can be discontinued. Most kittens will be eating on their own by 6 weeks of age.”

Follow this kitten bottle-feeding chart from Bell and Dr. Hohenhaus to help you stay on track. The kitten’s age and weight should correspond, but if not, go by their weight.

Kittens 5-8 weeks old can generally go overnight without feedings, as long as they are sleeping well and not waking up or crying for food—in which case, feed that kitten!

“Never heat the bottle or milk in a microwave,” she says. Use a thermometer to test the temperature before feeding.

Pro Tip: For new, uncut nipples, cut a small X in the tip using small, sharp scissors, or burn a hole with a heated needle. Formula should drip slowly when the bottle is upside down, Bell says. If the hole is too big, kittens will eat too quickly, and if it’s too small, they’ll struggle to get enough food.

“The kitten should lay with their tummy against your lap or a surface at a comfortable height for you to hold them with your non-dominant hand and the bottle with your dominant hand,” Dr. Hohenhaus says. “Some kittens keep their front legs down and others put them on your hand—one tiny paw on each side of the bottle.”

Pro Tip: Bright lights in kittens’ eyes can be jarring and cause them to not want to drink, Bell says. She recommends keeping the room as dark as possible or shading their eyes.

Bell adds, “Have so much patience with them while they figure out how to drink.” It doesn’t come naturally for all kittens.

Be sure to hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle to prevent the kitten from ingesting air as they eat.

Throughout the process, you might need to use your fingers to steady the kitten’s head. Also, periodically check for formula chunks clogging the nipple opening.

Did You Know? You will need to help the kitten go to the bathroom before and after each feeding if they’re less than 4 weeks old. Bell says, “Kittens under 4 weeks old cannot pee or poop on their own. Stimulate them before or after feeding by using soft tissues or toilet paper to rub the genital area in a circular motion.” Record the kitten’s eliminations in case issues arise that your vet needs to know about.

Healthy kittens will have:

• A round, firm belly after feeding
• No signs of bloating or discomfort
• Bright, alert eyes
• Active behavior during their waking hours

On the other hand, signs your kitten needs veterinary attention include:

• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite
• Diarrhea

Observing your kitten’s behavior is just as important. They should vocalize for feeding but settle quickly once satisfied. Watch for consistent grooming and play behaviors as they grow, as these also reflect good health.

Dr. Hohenhaus adds, “If the kitten refuses, stimulate them to poop and pee; then try feeding again. If a kitten refuses to eat for more than two feedings, then a trip to the animal ER is in order, where they can tube-feed a kitten or diagnose an illness that is suppressing their appetite.”

Always follow the mixing instructions on kitten milk replacer carefully, as too much or too little powder can upset their stomach.

Also, make sure the nipple size is correct. An incorrectly sized nipple can lead to a kitten eating too quickly.

Finally, maintain proper hygiene with feeding equipment and make sure the formula is fresh.

If digestive problems persist for more than a day or are severe, consult your veterinarian to rule out infections or other health concerns.

“Mixing kitten milk replacer powder into the food makes the food taste familiar and will make the food liquidy so the kitten can slurp it up,” Dr. Hohenhaus says. “Occasionally, topping off the kitten food with meat baby food or a squeezable treat is needed to entice them to eat.”

She adds that these “treats” don’t provide adequate nutrition for growing kittens, so they should be used sparingly as an enticement.

But because they’re not always the most receptive to grooming intervention, learning how to groom a cat takes a little finessing. These expert tips can help.

That said, felines do need help from time to time for various grooming-related tasks—most notably to keep their interior ears healthy, toenails the right length, and coats free of knots and matted fur.

“Regular grooming helps prevent health problems and allows you to detect any issues early,” says Michelle Dulake, DVM, a veterinarian based in Los Angeles. “Clean ears prevent infections, trimmed nails reduce the risk of injury, and clear eyes can signal overall good health. Dental care is crucial for preventing tooth decay and gum disease, which can lead to more serious health issues if left untreated.”

• Cat grooming brush, like the Safari Slicker Brush.
• A small cat toothbrush and cat-approved toothpaste. Try the Virbac C.E.T. bundle.
• Cat nail clippers, such as these by Frisco.
• Ear cleaning solution or wipes, like Virbac Epi-Otic.

If you adopt an older cat, she says, start slowly and gradually build up their tolerance to grooming activities.

“Always be gentle and patient, offering treats and praise to create a positive experience,” Dr. Dulake says. You can also try cuddling with them while brushing them to associate a positive feeling with the experience.

Also consider professional cat dental cleanings every few years, or as recommended by your veterinarian.

Routine brushing also provides you an opportunity to check for skin issues, such as bumps, lumps, lesions, and infections.

Brushing is especially important during shedding seasons (summer and winter) to help remove excess fur and prevent hairballs. There are brushes for longhaired and shorthaired cats, so choose the best option for your kitty.

“Gently clean the outer part of the ear with a cotton ball and a vet-recommended ear cleaner,” Dr. Dulake says.

Some cats—depending on breed or age—may also require regular eye or skin fold wiping to nix goopy or crusty debris, Dr. Casper adds. If you see an accumulation around their eyes or in their face folds, tend to it right away.

Your cat may need trimming more or less frequently than every four weeks, based on their activity level, whether they’re indoors or outdoors, and their individual nail growth rate.

For example, instead of brushing their teeth and fur in one go, do one task one day and the other the next. And when trimming toenails, consider trimming one or two in a session instead of trying to clip all in one go.

Brusoe adds that a cat behaviorist can also help by providing “personalized strategies to address your cat’s specific needs and ensure grooming is a stress-free experience for everyone involved.”

Grooming isn’t just about keeping your cat looking sharp—it’s an essential part of their overall healthcare. These cat grooming sessions are an opportunity to keep your feline feeling great and can also serve as meaningful bonding time. If you’re ever unsure about any aspect of grooming, don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian.

Cat groomers are an excellent option if you struggle to keep your feline’s fur, teeth, nails, and ears well-groomed. They can offload these sometimes-stressful tasks with their expertise.

Your veterinarian can also assist with certain cat grooming tasks, like nail trims. That said, daily and weekly grooming needs—like brushing teeth, checking ears, and combing fur—may be easier done at home since they’re required more frequently.

How often you groom a cat varies task by task. For example, teeth brushing is recommended daily, while trimming your cat’s toenails is only required about once per month.

Cats do a great job of bathing themselves and don’t often need assistance from their humans.

However, bathing makes sense in cases where they’ve gotten into something sticky or toxic, have a skin condition that requires medicated shampoos, or if they’re unable to groom themselves properly. It’s also sometimes necessary for long-haired breeds that may struggle to keep their fur clean and free of mats.