Whether you are planning on adopting a kitten or found one on your doorstep this morning having a new kitten can be a fun and challenging experience. Kittens are cute, soft and so much fun to watch, but they are babies and as babies they have needs. With knowledge and preparation bringing home your baby kitty can be a great experience for you both.
YOUR KITTEN'S BASIC NEEDS
Your kitten's top needs are food, water and a litter box. Kittens need higher levels of protein than adult cats so they will need food formulated for kittens for their first year. Water is easy just raid your cupboard for a small shallow dish, until you can find a more suitable one at a pet store or online. Next your kitten will need a litter box, a short one is a good idea to start with. I also strongly recommend avoiding clumping kitty litter because kittens can ingest it by licking or otherwise and it is designed to become a hard lump. Unfortunately, there have been reports of kittens ingesting clumping kitty litter and having symptoms such as vomiting a yellow frothy substance, diarrhea and even death. Look for non-clumping clay or biodegradable kitty litters such as those made from recycled newspapers, corn or wheat. There may be other organic choices available at your local pet store as well. Most kittens know by instinct what to do when given a litter box full of litter as a last resort you may shred unprinted newsprint for your kitten to use.
MAKE YOUR KITTEN FEEL AT HOME
Another nice item for your new kitten is a soft warm bed, this too can be homemade or store bought. Kitten love to be in enclosed places like baskets or boxes. To help them transition more easily include a soft item from their former home. You will probably find that their favorite place is lying on a shirt that has your scent. Cats originally came from a pride and like lying together in a group so a piece of clothing with your scent makes them feel like they are in a group. This is especially important for a kitten that has just been removed from its family unit.
PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT
Toys and a scratching post are not necessities but if you like your curtains, couch and legs, I highly recommend them. Kittens are very curious and have a lot of energy to burn they are building their hunting and climbing skills. By providing safe outlets for your kitten to explore you will lesson the chance of them tearing up your possessions or possibly getting hurt. Toys such a fury mice give them something to chase, catch and carry. Interactive toys will keep them busy and hopefully wear them out once in a while. A scratching post whether homemade or store bought will provide a legitimate place to scratch. Praising them when they scratch the right place can lead to good scratching habits in the long run.
A SAFE PLACE FOR KITTY
The next important thing to give your new kitten is a safe place for them to retreat. This is especially important if there are young children in the house. This can be a small bedroom, bathroom or closet. This will give your kitten the security it needs to feel safe while adjusting to a new home.
KITTEN-PROOF YOUR HOME
Remember kittens are just like little kids they love to explore and they frequently get into things that could hurt them. Be sure to kitten proof your home by making sure that there are no long electrical cords that your kitten could get tangled up in. Also watch that they don't chew on electrical cords either and keep the toilet lid down, a small kitten may not be able to get out if it falls in. Don't leave small items lying around such as broken balloons and game pieces. It's also a good idea to put away precious heirlooms for a while until your kitten settles in and learns the rules. Also make sure you put up houseplants, as some may be poisonous and secure mini blind cords, as your kitten could get caught in them and be strangled.
LOVE AND PATIENCE
Now you and your new kitten can settle in and get to know each other. It's an exciting day for everyone so many new things to see and do, but remember to take your new kitten to the vet as soon as possible to get his or her vaccinations. One of the first things you will need to do is take your kitten to the safe area and show him/ her their bed and where the litter box is. Then give them some time to explore and become familiar with their surroundings. Be sure to closely observe small children when they interact with the kitten. Teach them how to properly hold and pet the kitten for both their and the kitten's safety. Kittens have very sharp claws and haven't learned proper manners yet, so you and your children may get scratched a lot at first. Be sure to wash any scratches with soap and water and put first aid antibiotic on them right away. Children need to learn when to leave the kitten alone such as when they are sleeping or eating.
Bringing home a new kitten is a wonderful experience. Knowledge and planning will make your kitten's transition into your life smoother and even more enjoyable.
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