If you’re considering adopting a kitten, you must take specific steps to ensure that your feline friend feels safe, secure, and comfortable in their new home. The most important one is to set up an environment welcoming to cats. In this post, we’ll go over what you should do before bringing home your kitten and how you can make it feel at ease in your home.
Set Up A Room With All The Necessities
Before bringing your new kitty home, choose a room in your house as their “haven.” Make sure this room has an open window so he can go outside to play and explore. The room should be clean and have:
· A litter box
· Warm food with some occasional treats
· Water bowls
· Scratching post
· A lot of toys (like balls or feathers)
· No dangerous wires or cords (like electrical cords) hanging down from the walls or furniture
Get A Carrier For Safe Transportation
You cannot carry a cat around on a leash. So, you need to arrange for their comfortable travel experience.
Here are a few things to consider:
· Set aside a large box or carrier for safe transportation from the shelter or breeder to your home.
· Always have towels and treats handy to help your new feline friend feel comfortable.
· If you are driving, make sure the cat is in a carrier in the back seat and safely secured during travel.
Make Sure Your Kitten Is Spayed
It’s best to have your kitten spayed or neutered and vaccinated for about six months. Ask your veterinarian for the details. Spaying/neutering makes them healthier, prevents unwanted litter, and saves them from having to find homes for their offspring.
Spaying and neutering also allow cats to live longer, healthier lives. It minimizes the risk of certain cancers (such as breast cancer in females), eliminates spraying behavior in male cats, and prevents hormone-related behavior problems like aggression.
Remember The Importance Of A Preliminary Check-Up
You must plan to pay a visit to the vet within the first 48 hours after you adopt a kitten. So, make sure to follow this step. You’d want to ensure that your feline is healthy and can adjust well to its new home.
Greet It With Yummy Treats
After setting up a kitten-friendly environment, it’s time to greet it with a yummy treat from plentiful treat options from an online store like PetCareRx. Online pet stores usually offer a variety of cat treats and cat food options at reasonable prices.
Also, you should check with your vet if you can socialize your new friend with kids or other pets. While most dogs can instantly befriend kids and other pets, this part could be tricky for the cats. That said, kittens are relatively easier to acclimate in your home than full-grown cats.
Kittens left alone for long periods may become very distressed, vocalizing excessively, and even urinating or defecating where they sleep. If you have adopted an adult cat with separation anxiety, try not to leave them alone for more than four hours at any time. After that time, they may need additional stimulation, such as playing games involving food rewards, before being left alone again until the next meal arrives.
A Good Start Is Essential
Cats have very individualistic personalities, and they take their time to trust others. This involves their owners, and that is normal. Cats need time and space for acceptance into their new homes.
Don’t rush it
It’s essential to make sure that your kitty is healthy and comfortable in its new home before you introduce it to the rest of your family. Having a vet do a physical exam on your cat can help you decide if it’s ready for this big step or if any health issues need attention first. If all is well and good, it’s time to plan the ideal way for your kitty to meet its new siblings (or parents).
Introduce slowly
You don’t want your kitten feeling overwhelmed by too many people at once. So, make sure that everyone who wants to welcome your little one into their home also takes things slow when introducing them face-to-face. And please take extra care not to scare them.
Playtime
Playtime is integral to a kitten’s life, as it helps them burn off excess energy and learn critical social skills. Playtime can also help your kitten become more confident and independent.
If your kitten is afraid of being picked up and carried around by you (or anyone else), it may become overstimulated when you try to pick them up. Overstimulation may be what’s causing your kitten’s energy level to be so high at all times. They just need some time away from the hustle and bustle of life.
More Napping Time
Sleeping a lot is normal for kittens, so don’t worry if your kitten naps most of the day.
· Look out for excessive daytime sleepiness or lethargy.
· Try changing the environment to make it more comfortable for your kitten to sleep. For example, cover windows that let in light and noise at night, so they don’t disturb your kitty’s rest.
Also read: Cat Furniture: How to Build Your Cats Safe, Secure Haven
Conclusion
If you follow these steps, your kitten will settle into its new home more quickly and be more likely to stay there. You must take your kitty to the vet within 48 hours of bringing them home so they can get checked out and vaccinated against diseases such as feline leukemia or feline panleukopenia.
As long as you know what signs of trouble look like and how to respond quickly when they appear, the two of you will have a great time together!