A guide for new owners
What to buy, how to care for folded ears and fluffy coats, and how to keep a kitten safe in Miami's heat and hurricane season. A practical guide from a Miami cat family.
Have these ready before your kitten comes home.
Start small. Set up one quiet room with the litter box, food, water and a bed, and let your kitten settle there before exploring the whole home.
Keep the food the same. Feed what your kitten already eats. If you want to switch, mix the new food in gradually over about a week to avoid an upset stomach.
See a vet early. Book a check-up in the first week or two, bring the kitten's health records, and ask your veterinarian about the next vaccinations, parasite prevention and the right time to spay or neuter.
Update the microchip. If your kitten is microchipped, register the chip with your name and phone number right away.
Ears. Folded ears can hold more wax. Look inside about once a week and gently wipe the outer ear; ask your vet which cleaner to use. Scottish Straights need the same light care.
Coat. Brush short coats about once a week and long, fluffy coats two or three times a week to prevent tangles, more during shedding.
Joints. The fold is linked to cartilage, so keep your Scottish Fold at a healthy weight, offer low, easy-to-reach resting spots, and tell your vet if you notice stiffness, limping or a reluctance to jump. Read our health and care page.
Play. Scottish cats are often gentle and people-oriented. Short daily play sessions with a wand toy keep them active and happy.
Keep your cat indoors. Heat, traffic and wildlife make outdoor life risky in South Florida. An indoor cat with a window perch and a cat tree is a happy cat.
Heat. Keep the air conditioning on when you are away in summer, make sure fresh water is always available, and never leave a cat in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
Balconies and windows. In high-rise apartments, secure balconies and use sturdy window screens. Curious kittens can fall.
Hurricane season. From June 1 to November 30, keep a pet emergency kit: carrier, several days of food, water and litter, medications, vet records and a recent photo.
Parasites year-round. Fleas and other parasites stay active all year in Florida. Ask your veterinarian about prevention, even for indoor cats.
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A carrier, a litter box with unscented litter, the food the kitten already eats, bowls, a scratching post, a few toys, a brush, nail clippers and a quiet spot with a bed. Book a vet check-up for the first week or two.
Folded ears can hold more wax, so look inside them about once a week and gently wipe the outer ear with a soft pad. Never push anything deep into the ear canal, and ask your veterinarian which ear cleaner to use.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Keep a carrier ready, several days of food, water and litter, any medications, copies of vet records, a current photo of your cat, and make sure the microchip is registered with your phone number.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. For your kitten's health, follow your veterinarian's guidance.