Recommendation for First Time Kitten Homeowners

It’s lastly spring time once more, which suggests it’s additionally kitten season. In the course of the spring and summer season, cats are mating and making so many infants. When you’re fascinated by adopting a kitten or two, now could be the time as there will likely be 1000’s of adoptable kittens in shelters and rescues within the coming months. Right here is a few recommendation for first time homeowners on what to anticipate when welcoming residence a brand new kitten or two. 

Put together Your Dwelling for Kittens

Earlier than bringing a kitten residence, be sure that your house is cat-proof. Take away small objects {that a} kitten might swallow, rehome any crops or flowers which might be poisonous to cats, and safe electrical cords.

While you convey your new kitten residence, begin by having them settle into one room in your home. This room ought to comprise all of your new cat provides. By containing your new kitten in a single room, you’ll be able to assist them settle in safely. This helps forestall anxiousness and overwhelm in the course of the transition and is extraordinarily  vital when different animals are already within the residence.

Make certain your kitten is an indoor solely pet. In order for you your kitten to discover the outside, use a harness and leash or put money into a catio to make sure their security. Home windows and doorways ought to all the time be closed and kittens mustn’t have entry to balconies.

Provides to Purchase Beforehand

• Meals & Water Bowls: Small and shallow steel bowls are best meals bowls for kittens. Ceramic bowls are nice for water as they’re heavy and kittens hopefully can’t knock them over..
• A Litter Field & Litter: Be sure you select an uncovered, quick sided  litter field that’s straightforward in your kitten to climb into and out of. As they develop, you will get a litter field with greater sides. Begin with a small bag of litter as you study your kitten’s litter preferences. Non-clumping clay litter is sweet for kittens in case they ingest it as is pellet litter.
• A Scratching Submit: Scratching is a pure intuition for kittens that relieves vitality, helps maintain their nails wholesome and gives leisure. A scratching submit needs to be tall sufficient that your kittens can stretch out completely when utilizing it. You possibly can strive vertical or horizontal scratchers and see which fashion your kitten prefers. 
• Toys: Purchase quite a lot of toys to assist encourage train and exercise and psychological and bodily stimulation. Springs, jingle balls, wand toys, kickers, the choices are limitless and your kitten will get pleasure from most – if not all – of them.
• A Brush and Nail Clippers: Getting your kitten used to being groomed is essential as it is going to be a lot simpler to maintain them neat and tidy in the event that they’re amenable! Month-to-month nail trims and every day or weekly brushing classes – relying on coat size – needs to be a part of your routine for maintaining your kitten wholesome and pleased. Brushing reduces the danger of hairballs and retains your kitten’s coat shiny and clear.
• Treats: Treats can be utilized to strengthen constructive conduct and create a bond between you and your new kitten. You need to use treats to entice them into their service, to sit down on command, or as a reward for a terrific play session. 
• A Cat Service: Arduous-sided top-entry cat carriers are best since they’re very safe and simple to sanitize. Comfortable-sided carriers usually are not as secure because the zippers can typically be unzipped by the kitten inside! 

Select the Proper Meals

Feed your kitten a high-quality kitten meals formulated for his or her age and measurement. Moist meals needs to be provided twice a day with a small quantity of dry meals accessible always together with their water.

Kittens want a excessive protein eating regimen to assist their development .  

Preserve Kitty Hydrated

Present clear, recent water always. As a result of cats are naturally drawn to transferring water, you’ll be able to even strive a water fountain to entice your kitten to drink sufficient every day. Many cats and kittens don’t like consuming water, which is why moist meals – with its further hydration – is so vital.

Schedule a Wellness Go to

Schedule your kitten for an intensive examination along with your vet the place they’ll get any wanted vaccinations and you’ll talk about a preventive healthcare plan together with dewormings, flea prevention, and a correct eating regimen. Kittens are sometimes microchipped and spayed/neutered earlier than being adopted, but when yours isn’t, undoubtedly prepare to get that finished too. Even when they seem wholesome, cats ought to get annual exams on the vet..

Get Correct Play Time

Present loads of toys of all types and interactive play classes to maintain your kitten mentally and bodily stimulated. This additionally helps construct the bond between you and your kitten and helps them affiliate you with FUN. Rotate out their toys quite than leaving them mendacity round the home to maintain your kitten interested by them.

Spend High quality Time Collectively

Spend high quality time along with your kitten, dealing with them gently and exposing them to numerous sights, sounds, and experiences to assist them turn out to be well-adjusted adults. Invite family and friends over so your kitten will get to fulfill new individuals. Get them used to being picked up. Play with a wand toy or cozy up and watch TV to assist set up a lifelong bond. 

Introduce Different Pets Slowly

When you have different animals in your house, introduce them to your kitten slowly. It’s recommended to maintain animals aside for at the least 10-14 days. It will give any pets within the residence ample time to get used to the smells and sounds of your new kitten. Preserve the kitten in a single small room at first and as soon as they’re comfy and doing properly, grant them entry to the opposite rooms within the residence beneath supervision. Permit them to fulfill every other pets solely beneath supervision and finish every assembly on a constructive notice. Introducing pets is a course of that takes weeks when finished correctly and it’s greatest to go sluggish to make sure everyone seems to be comfy with the brand new addition.

Contemplate Adopting Two

Kittens do greatest in pairs. Kittens have A LOT of vitality and after they have a playmate, they’ll play collectively, tire one another out, nap and groom one another, and, maybe most significantly, let one another know when they’re being a bit of an excessive amount of. Solo kittens can develop what is known as ‘Single Kitten Syndrome,’ which is principally a set of undesirable behaviors. If kittens don’t have one other cat or kitten round to inform them they’re biting too arduous or taking part in too tough, they gained’t study. When you undertake two kittens, they are going to hopefully have higher manners and be a bit of gentler with their roughhousing. 

Be Affected person

Do not forget that kittens are studying each day and experiencing many new issues directly. Keep in mind to be affected person with them as they regulate to their new life of their new residence with you. Bathe them with affection, constructive reinforcement, and loads of treats to assist them really feel secure and cherished.

By following the following tips, you may set your kitten up for a contented and wholesome life. Congratulations on adopting your new member of the family!

Love, Nala