Below is a list of a few items, which you should have on hand to help you with health care and proper hygiene for your new kitten and how to use them. Read on for more information about vaccines, medications, and exercise.

Nail Clippers
You should look to trim your kitten's nails about every three weeks. The scratch post will help to keep them down, but it is best to clip the tips off regularly. It is easiest to clip when one person is holding the kitten and the other is clipping. Using a pair of cat nail clippers, which can be purchased at a pet store, grasp the paw securely and gently, but firmly press down on the toe to force the nail to pop forward. Clip just the pointed tip off. On a white or clear nail you can see the pink of the quick. Be sure not to clip into the quick as it will be painful for your kitten and possibly bleed. On a dark colored nail you will not be able to see the quick, so it is important to clip just the tip. It will be easiest to clip your kitten's nails if you do it regularly. This will help him to get used to having his nails clipped.

Baby Wipes
You will need baby wipes to gently wipe the inside of your kitten's ear when needed (when you can see a dark waxy build-up).

Soft Brush
Cats spend at least five hours a day grooming and cleaning themselves, so brushing is really not necessary. Still I have not seen a Devon who doesn't like gentle attention, so if you plan to brush your kitten please use a soft "baby" brush to gently pass over him. Keep in mind he may enjoy your hand stroking him more than, a brush.

Bathing
Your kitten may or may not like water, some Devons do. It is not necessary to bath your kitten. If you feel there is a need to clean your kitten, take a warm washcloth and wipe him down, being sure to towel dry and cuddle him to be sure he is warm after. Kittens and cats learn very well how to groom and clean themselves. If you feel you have to bathe your kitten or cat please be careful as you might get scratched!

Vaccinations And Medication
Your kitten has had the vaccines needed to date. Please take your kitten to your veterinarian to have the recorded and to plan future vaccinations. A vaccination record is included with the health record you were provided. We strongly urge that you DO NOT vaccinate your kitten for Feline Leukemia. There is no reason to take this risk but you should always follow the advice and opinion of your veterinarian. Please check with him/her regarding Feline Leukemia Vaccines. Note: Your kitten has already been litter tested showing a "Neg." result. Please follow your veterinarian's advice for all future vaccines. Giving pills to a cat, especially an ill cat, can be impossible. You could try sneaking it into his food, which works sometimes, but the easiest way is to place the cat on your lap, lift his head backwards, and then open his mouth by pressing on the corners. Quickly drop the pill as far back as you can and close and hold his mouth shut while gently talking to him and encouraging him till he swallows it. Giving liquid medications is easier than a pill. Using a small medication syringe, insert the tip into the corner of the cat's mouth and squirt the medication in. Quickly hold his mouth shut while watching that he swallows it. Giving eye drops or putting ointment into your cat's eyes is fairly easy. With one hand, hold your cat's head firmly using your forefinger and thumb to hold the eyelid up. Drop the drops or apply the ointment with the other hand. Be extremely careful not to touch the eye itself with your fingers or the dropper. Giving eardrops is also fairly easy. As above, hold your cat's head firmly with one hand dropping the eardrops into the ear with the other. Gently rub the ear for a minute to help push the drops down into the canal.

Exercise
Kittens get enough exercise from playing in the house. Kittens and cats should NEVER be allowed outside unless on a leash or in a cat carrier. This is a commitment you made to Curlfect Devons before adopting your Devon. The life expectancy of a cat allowed outside is 3-5 years. The life expectancy of an indoor cat is 12-18 years. It just is not worth the risk!