Advice for First Time Kitten Owners

It’s lastly spring time once more, which suggests it’s additionally kitten season. Throughout the spring and summer time, cats are mating and making so many infants. Should you’re occupied with adopting a kitten or two, now could be the time as there might be 1000’s of adoptable kittens in shelters and rescues within the coming months. Right here is a few recommendation for first time house owners on what to anticipate when welcoming dwelling a brand new kitten or two. 

Put together Your House for Kittens

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

If you carry your new kitten dwelling, begin by having them settle into one room in your home. This room ought to include all of your new cat provides. By containing your new kitten in a single room, you may assist them settle in safely. This helps forestall anxiousness and overwhelm through the transition and is extraordinarily  vital when different animals are already within the dwelling.

Ensure that your kitten is an indoor solely pet. If you need 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 at all times be closed and kittens shouldn’t have entry to balconies.

Provides to Purchase Beforehand

• Meals & Water Bowls: Small and shallow metallic bowls are supreme 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: You’ll want to select an uncovered, brief sided  litter field that’s straightforward on 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 be taught your kitten’s litter preferences. Non-clumping clay litter is sweet for kittens in case they ingest it as is pellet litter.
• A Scratching Publish: Scratching is a pure intuition for kittens that relieves vitality, helps hold their nails wholesome and gives leisure. A scratching submit needs to be tall sufficient that your kittens can stretch out totally when utilizing it. You’ll be able to attempt vertical or horizontal scratchers and see which fashion your kitten prefers. 
• Toys: Purchase a wide range 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 will probably 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 periods – relying on coat size – needs to be a part of your routine for holding your kitten wholesome and completely satisfied. Brushing reduces the chance of hairballs and retains your kitten’s coat shiny and clear.
• Treats: Treats can be utilized to bolster constructive conduct and create a bond between you and your new kitten. You should utilize treats to entice them into their provider, to sit down on command, or as a reward for a fantastic play session. 
• A Cat Provider: Arduous-sided top-entry cat carriers are supreme since they’re very safe and simple to sanitize. Gentle-sided carriers are usually not as secure because the zippers can generally 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 supplied twice a day with a small quantity of dry meals obtainable always together with their water.

Kittens want a high protein diet to help their progress .  

Hold Kitty Hydrated

Present clear, recent water always. As a result of cats are naturally drawn to shifting water, you may even attempt a water fountain to entice your kitten to drink sufficient every day. Many cats and kittens don’t like ingesting 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 will get any wanted vaccinations and you’ll focus on a preventive healthcare plan together with dewormings, flea prevention, and a correct weight loss plan. Kittens are sometimes microchipped and spayed/neutered earlier than being adopted, but when yours isn’t, undoubtedly organize to get that achieved 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 periods 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 enthusiastic about them.

Spend High quality Time Collectively

Spend high quality time along with your kitten, dealing with them gently and exposing them to varied sights, sounds, and experiences to assist them grow to be well-adjusted adults. Invite family and friends over so your kitten will get to satisfy new folks. 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

In case you have different animals in your house, introduce them to your kitten slowly. It’s prompt to maintain animals aside for at the least 10-14 days. This may give any pets within the dwelling ample time to get used to the smells and sounds of your new kitten. Hold the kitten in a single small room at first and as soon as they’re comfy and doing effectively, grant them entry to the opposite rooms within the dwelling beneath supervision. Permit them to satisfy every other pets solely beneath supervision and finish every assembly on a constructive word. Introducing pets is a course of that takes weeks when achieved correctly and it’s finest to go sluggish to make sure everyone seems to be comfy with the brand new addition.

Contemplate Adopting Two

Kittens do finest in pairs. Kittens have A LOT of vitality and once they have a playmate, they will 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 an excessive amount of. Solo kittens can develop what 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 enjoying too tough, they received’t be taught. Should you undertake two kittens, they are going to hopefully have higher manners and be a bit gentler with their roughhousing. 

Be Affected person

Keep in mind that kittens are studying each day and experiencing many new issues directly. Bear in mind to be affected person with them as they modify to their new life of their new dwelling with you. Bathe them with affection, constructive reinforcement, and loads of treats to assist them really feel secure and beloved.

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

Love, Nala