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Bringing Home A New Kitten
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| Cats are known for their fun, quirky personalities and independent natures. They are both affectionate and playful, and are often easier to care for than a dog. A healthy cat can live beyond twenty years of age, and will form a strong bond with caretakers who display plenty of love, care, and attention. This rewarding relationship with your new pet begins the day you bring your kitten home for the first time. Make the transition to a new home a happy and comfortable experience for your kitten with tips from InternetPets: |  |
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Once you arrive home with your new kitten, place his carrier in a quiet room where he can be kept for a few days. Make sure there is a litter tray in the room and that the kitten knows where it is. The room should also have food and water, and a comfortable place for the kitten to sleep. Let the kitten come out of
his carrier to explore in its own time--he has probably never been away from his mother and litter before, and will probably feel somewhat intimidated.
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If you already have cats, it is best that your new kitten be examined by your veterinarian before you bring him home so that parasites or infectious diseases can be detected. If this is not possible, keep the kitten quarantined in his room, and be sure to have him examined before introducing him to your other cats.
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For a safe method of letting your kitten and older cats get to know each other, place the kitten in his carrier and allow the others to come into the room to inspect the newcomer. Keep the sessions short to minimize stress, and gradually allow more and more interaction as familiarity develops. Once you feel the kitten is safe being with your other pets, you can allow him to wander more to examine his new home.
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| As the
kitten becomes more secure in
his new surroundings he will
want to inspect absolutely
everything that crosses his
path. Care should be taken to
“kitten-proof” the home before
the kitten is exposed to a
potentially hazardous situation.
Make sure all medicines, rodent
traps, and household cleaning
agents are placed out of the
kitten’s reach. Shut the
bathroom door when running water
in a bathtub, and keep all
toilet lids closed. Electrical
cords and cords from window
blinds often tempt playful cats—make sure they’re hidden
behind something or otherwise inaccessible. Also, keep garage and appliance doors closed; a warm dryer or a car engine may entice cats in search of a warm place to nap.
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