So you’re thinking about expanding your family (of the fur kind)? How exciting! Bringing home a new kitten is a very happy time, but it can also be quite daunting. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do beforehand to help ease the transition of separating them from their mother and making them feel calm and content in a new environment.
Whether you’re buying or adopting a kitten, it’s important they’re at least 8 weeks old before you bring them home. This will give the person looking after them the opportunity to organise their first vaccinations, begin litter box training and hopefully start socialising them to new situations and people.
https://rookespetproducts.co.uk/the-importance-of-vaccinations/It’s important to have some basic supplies ready at home including specially formulated kitten food, a food dish and water bowl, interactive toys, grooming brushes, a safety cat collar (with an ID tag!), and a scratching post or pad. You’ll also want to prepare your home before you bring home your adorable new kitten. Key things to consider are:
- Space: Kittens are very playful pets and have a lot of energy… a lot! It’s important to remember that hyperactivity in kittens is totally normal behaviour and simply their way of practicing to become an adult as they put their primal energy to the test! With that in mind, you’ll want to create areas for your kitten to play and pounce, as well as places for them to hide, rest and relax.
- Bedding: Your kitten will sleep best if they have a cosy bed or blanket placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed while life goes on around them. Although adult cats like to climb and sleep on high perches, it’s safest for young kittens if their beds are low down to begin with. At night, the best place for a kitten to sleep is a warm and secure spot, sheltered from draughts. It’s not a bad idea to have the kitten close to you for just the first few nights either. TIP: Taking a blanket from the kitten’s first home will give them something familiar and comfortable to snuggle in (they’ll really appreciate the recognisable scent when they’re in a new environment).
- Toilet requirements: Newborn kittens need to be stimulated by their mothers to defecate and won’t start using a litter box until around 4 weeks of age. So by the time you bring home your new kitten, they should be familiar with using a little box (albeit they may need a little more practice and encouragement). Kittens require an open-top, shallow litter box that is easy for them to find and access. Eliminate obstacles such as tall or covered boxes and provide something that is easy for them to walk in and out of until they’re big enough for an adult litter box. Remember that cats prefer privacy so #RookesRecommends placing your litter tray in a quiet area of the house.
- Travel: Before you bring home your new bundle of furry fun, you’ll need to invest in a sturdy and well-ventilated cat carrier. You will bring your kitten home in this (and it will be used throughout your cat’s life for family outings and trips to the vets). When your feline friend is in the carrier, it will need to be secured in the car with a seat belt. When you arrive at home, gently place the kitten and carrier in a small, quiet room in the house away from traffic. Open the door of the carrier and allow the cat some time to come out willingly. Place fresh water, food and a litter box near the entrance of the carrier and allow kitty to come and go at their own will.
- Cat-proofing your home: Even the simplest household objects can cause danger to your young kitten so to ensure your cat’s safety, you’ll want to do some cat-proofing. For example, some plants are poisonous to cats (lilies, cyclamen and hyacinth to name a few) so you’ll want to get rid of these. Cover up electrical cables and phone chargers as chewing is a common cat hobby. Curious cats shouldn’t be around naked flames so #Rooke’sRecommend switching out your burning candles for flameless ones. Another recommendation is tying up or cutting blind cords/loops as cats can get injured or even strangle themselves here.
- Finding a vet: Within the first few days of welcoming a new kitten into your home, it’s important to make an appointment with your vet. Not only will this enable your vet to check your kitten’s overall health and vaccinations, but it will also help your kitten familiarise themselves with visiting your local surgery. With that in mind, #RookesRecommends registering with your local vet before bringing home a new kitten. Some vets go through periods where they don’t take on new pet patients because of a rising demand for appointments.
- Pet insurance: You should be able to get pet insurance for your kitten when they’re between 6 – 8 weeks old. Most standard pet insurance policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions so it’s a good idea to insure your kitten while they’re young, before they develop any medical problems.
Ideally you’ll bring home your new kitten when they’re between 8 – 12 weeks old. This is the perfect time for your kitten to learn and experience positive behaviours including socialisation and interaction, and familiarise themselves with their routine.
Introducing your kitten to other people (adults and children) and pets (healthy and vaccinated) will help them to build confidence and make them feel secure in their own home. Additionally, getting your feline friend used to being handled will help lessen their fear of strangers throughout their adult life.
Establishing a consistent routine will encourage good behaviour (which should be rewarded) and mitigate bad behaviour. When it comes to your pet’s routine, think about the things that mean the most to them. For example, what’s on their mind? Most likely the answer is food, water, exercise, mental stimulation and, of course, you! These are the most important things to work into their daily routine.
Having a little kitten around is an extremely rewarding and enjoyable experience for any pet owner. To make sure they thrive in their new home, you’ll need to ensure you have everything they need to be happy and healthy. So come and see us at Rooke’s Pet Products in Spalding and our cat-friendly team will help you get your home kitten-ready! And for more tips on caring for your kitten, take a look at our other blog, Kitty Care: Everything you need to know.