Are you welcoming a new kitten to your home? Are you nervous because you are not sure how to welcome them properly? In this article, we will go over what you need to know to make your kitten feel at ease.
Preparing your home for your kitten’s arrival
When your new kitten first arrives at your house, the environment is completely new for them. In order to help your cat feel at ease, there are a few things that you can do to prepare your house for your kitten’s arrival.
A room reserved just for your kitten
Your kitten will most likely be stressed when they arrive at your house. Everything that they were used to has changed. To help your cat get accustomed to your home, experts recommend starting by putting them in one room of the house. This will allow your kitten to feel safer because the space is limited. You can also leave them in the cat carrier to start off with. This will help them feel more comfortable because it is the last place they knew before they arrived at your house.
A safe place
Before your cat arrives, go through all of the rooms of your house and put away the things that you care about. Young furballs like to play with everything they find. Also, be careful with the plants that you have in your house. You should check to see if your plants are poisonous for cats. In addition, beware of electrical wires as kittens love to chew on them! We suggest that you also make sure to close your windows and restrict access to the balcony if you live in an apartment.
Separate spaces dedicated to each of their activities
For example, cats prefer when their resting area is not in the same place as their eating area. This helps them feel more comfortable and happy.
Resting areas
Kittens sleep around 16 hours a day! They usually prefer to sleep in high places where they can watch over the house. However, it’s almost impossible to give your cat a dedicated place to rest. Kittens take over the house and settle down wherever they decide to rest. With that in mind, if you notice that your kitten is particularly fond of an area in your house, make sure that they have permanent access to it.
Eating area
Your kitten will feel more at ease knowing you’ve set aside a quiet place for them to eat and drink. If possible, keep their food bowl out of passageways as this may disturb your new furball. Additionally, keep the area clean. If you are able to, avoid changing the location of your kitten’s food bowl. This is because it might confuse your cat and stress them out.
Litter box
Kittens are taught how to be clean by their mothers. When your kitten arrives, show them where their litter box is. Your cat will most likely know how to use it. It’s also important to keep your litter box as out of sight as possible. Kittens are shy and prefer to do their business away from others. If they are unhappy with where you placed the litter box, they may choose to do their business elsewhere.
Providing everything that your cat may need
Your kitten may have already developed some habits in their former home. To make your cat feel welcome, ask their former owner about any particularities they may have.
Food, bowls, and fountains
Choosing the right food and water bowls for your kitten takes some time and thought. To start off with, the bowls should not be too big. To ensure that your cat does not make the bowl go flying everywhere, you can search for non-slip bowls. This prevents spills and other messes. For your kitten’s water bowl, you can also your non-slip bowls. This is very helpful because kittens are very clumsy animals. If your cat is not used to water bowls and prefers drinking from running water, a water fountain can be a good solution. Regularly wash your kitten’s bowls and fountain to keep your cat healthy. When it comes to their food, choose quality products.
Bed
In general, cats like to sleep in soft baskets or pillow they they can to sink into. If you buy a cat bed, you may be surprised to see that your cat doesn’t use it. Instead, they might prefer hanging out in a small cardboard box. This is completely normal. Kittens love to hide in suitcases, under blankets, and behind curtains. To put it simply, they like to sleep in spaces where they can hide and feel safe.
Litter box
If your kitten shares your home with other cats, it’s recommended to provide them with their own litter box. Veterinarians and behaviorists even recommend placing an extra litter box. To keep your cat feeling comfortable and happy, clean the litter box daily. This will prevent hygiene and behavioral problems.
Toys
Kittens enjoy playing with all types of toys. To entertain your kitten, you can even present them with a rolled ball of paper or aluminum or even a cork on a string. You’ll see that your kitten will truly enjoy it. You can also give your kitten other toys such as balls, wand toys, and tunnels. It’s also great to get a cat tree for your cat. It is the ideal playground!
Being there for your kitten as they are getting used to their new surroundings
It’s important to remember that your cat has just been separated from their mother and the rest of their litter. They are in a new place that they don’t recognize. Making your kitten feel comfortable during the first few hours and days after their arrival is very important.
A few quiet hours with you
Your presence is very important to your kitten. For a few hours, try to show your cat that they have nothing to fear with you and that they can trust you. You should also try to leave your cat some space. For your kitten’s first night alone, reassure them by giving them gentle caresses.
Presenting your kitten to family members
Presenting your kitten to your family members is a key moment in your kitten’s life. It should be calm so as not to frighten them. If you have young children, prepare them for this meeting so that they do not behave abruptly. Each person can come and pet your cat gently while talking to them calmly. If you feel that it’s too early to present your cat to the rest of your family, it may be better postpone the introductions.
Presenting your kitten to other animals
Do you already have other pets living with you? If so, it’s important to know that cats are very solitary creatures that like their routines. If they are scared they might let our their claws and try to defend their territory. When introducing your kitten to other animals, be patient and socialize them early on.