How to Prepare Your Home for a New Kitten

Your family has decided to add a darling little ball of fur to the family! Congratulations to you on your new kitten! Now it is time to prepare your home for the kitten’s arrival. There are many things that you will need to secure and prepare to help ensure the safety of the new arrival!

Feeding Your Kitten

The first year of a kitten’s life is all about growing into a strong and healthy cat. This first year they are in growth mode and their nutritional needs are quite different from those of an adult cat.

Talk with your vet and ensure you have the best diet ready for your growing kittens needs. Specially formulated kitten foods fitting their nutritional requirements should be given until the kitten is a year old. They will need plenty of calories, protein and fatty acids.

Prepare a Quite, Secure Crate or Box

Prepare their new kingdom in a nice cozy area of your home. Especially if they are young. They will be stressed and confused being away from their family and the new environment needs to be comforting for their transition. Create a quiet, secure and warm area away from traffic and other pets.  May it be a box or a little crate or box covered with pillows and blankets.

Litter Box Training Your Kitten

Begin litter box training right away. Please, be patient with your kitten. Do not yell nor punish them. They will get the just of the litter box but ensure you are being kind and loving while doing this. They may associate your negative energy with the litter box and that would not be good for you! When they are young take them to their litter box hourly. Take their little paws and initiate scratching in the litter. Help them get comfortable.

Scratching Post for Your Kitten

Provide a carpet covered scratching post to scratch on. Provide them with a large ball, it should be too large for their little mouths to get stuck on and also some small stuffed animals for attack mode play time. However avoid toys with sharp edges, yarns or ribbons as they are too young to play with these.

Introducing Your Kitten to Your Family

Introduce them to your family, four legged ones as well, one on one. Don’t overwhelm them with the introductions. Keep the meet and greets quiet and calm. And do not ever leave your kitten with your dog. While you may say you have the best dog in the world, your dog is far too big and could accidentally hurt this small kitten. Also your kitten could become scared and claw at your dog. Keep them separate until the kitten is full grown. And always put your dog on the leash when they are together to allow better control of your dog.

A Visit to the Vet

Finally stop by your veterinarian’s office and have your new arrival be given a check – up.  Ear mites, fleas and worms are some of things your vet will look out for along with setting up neuter and spay timelines for your new kitten.

Pet Care When Your Not Home

Enjoy your new family member and remember to call us at Trusty Tails.  We are here for your kitty when you can’t be.  We are happy to do visits during the day while you are at work or on vacation.  We can help you with training, socialization, kitty care and of course lots of love and affection.