Congratulations! You just welcomed a new kitten to your household! But now what? Here are a few ways to make sure your feline friend is comfortable and adjusts to your home with ease.
Veterinary Care
Before bringing your new kitten home, make sure you visit the veterinarian’s office to get all the necessary vaccinations. Vaccinations for kittens usually start at 8 weeks of age, and with all vaccinations except rabies your kitten will need at least two doses given 2 -4 weeks apart to be completely protected.
Your kitten should also be treated for internal parasites, and external parasites such as lice, ticks and fleas. Consult your veterinarian to determine the correct vaccinations and treatment schedule for your kitten. Be sure to also consult your veterinarian if you have other pets at home that your kitten will be introduced to, to ensure that all pets are up-to-date on preventive care.
Supplies
Before you bring your kitten home, make sure that you have all the necessary supplies to make them comfortable. These include:
• Specially formulated kitten food • Water and food bowls • A carrier to transport them home in • Bed • Toys without small strings or pieces that can be choked on • Litter box with litter • Scratch pad or scratching post • Cat brush
Living Space
Although your new kitten is weaned and ready to bring home, being away from his mom and siblings will be an adjustment. You want to make sure that you provide a space for your kitten that feels warm and comforting. Any slightly enclosed space like a box or basket with high sides lined with a blanket or towel should do just the trick. Remember, your little guy will have a lot to get used to when you bring him home, and providing a place he can crawl into and feel safe is very important.
Set up your kitten in a smaller room with everything he will need in one place. Having a smaller place to get used to and explore at first will reduce stress on your kitten when you first bring him home. Make sure you don’t put his litter box near where he eats, and that his bed and litter box are easy to get in and out of.
Introduction
When you first bring your kitten home, place his carrier in one corner of the small space you previously set up for him. Being in a new place will be overwhelming at first, so simply open the door of the carrier and wait for your kitten to come out at his own pace. Never force or pull your kitten out of the carrier. You want him to think of his new home as a safe place that he enjoys.
Your kitten may seem shy at first, but he will likely explore their new home when no one is watching, and after he gets used to his new home he will want lots of attention from you.
Other Pets
When introducing a new kitten to other cats, first let the older cats see the kitten without being able to touch him. You can crack the door to the kitten’s room so that the older cats can see and put a paw through but not touch. Then, you can try feeding the cats together but on opposite ends of the room. Move the dishes closer each day until they are right next to each other. After that, you can move on to letting them socialize with each other outside of just meal times.
If you have a dog in the house, let the kitten have some time in to his new while the dog is outside. After the kitten is used to his new home, you can let the dog see the kitten in the house while on a leash until you are sure how the dog will react.
Bringing home a new kitten can be an exciting and somewhat nerve-wracking time. But with enough planning and preparation, your new kitten can adjust to his new home with ease!