The arrival of a kitten at home is a big moment, both for you and for it! It's the start of a long love story. Here are a few tips for welcoming it under optimal conditions.
Eliminate Dangers
Before your little companion arrives, it is necessary to conduct a complete check-up of your home to eliminate any potential dangers. Be cautious with electrical cables, your kitten may be tempted to play with and nibble on them.
Be also cautious with tight spaces between furniture where your little companion could get stuck.
Also, be careful with certain plants, food, toxic products, or dangerous items (plastic bags) that you may leave within its reach. Lastly, make sure to secure your windows and balconies.
Welcoming Your Kitten by Preparing for Its Arrival
Essential Items for Your Kitten
- Two bowls: one for food, the other for water.
- A litter box: choose one with low edges, and suitable for your little feline's size.
- A bag of litter: vegetable, mineral, clumping, or silica-based, you have many choices. If you're unsure which litter to choose, we provide all our tips to pick the best litter for your furry friend.
- Its food: opt for kitten-specific food. Feeding adult cat food or wet food may cause deficiencies in your little kitten. If you can, ask about the food it was being given so you can continue with the same brand or make a gradual food transition.
- A bed: there are various types of beds. Our little companions sleep almost anywhere, so don’t invest too much in a fancy bed for your kitten. You can use a cardboard box with an opening and place a cushion inside.
- Its carrier: whether rigid or soft, it should ensure the safety and comfort of your pet.
- Toys: so it doesn't get bored. Choose toys without parts that could detach and be ingested. A scratching post, a cat tree, a ball, a fishing rod, or even a small plush toy. Feel free to use your imagination to make homemade toys for it.
Exploring the Environment
Depending on the size of your apartment or house, you can let your kitten explore the entire place or limit its exploration to one or two rooms on the same day. If you have children, ask them not to shout, make sudden movements, and handle the kitten with great care. Teaching children to respect the animal is crucial. It's important to set rules before the kitten arrives at your home.
Once at home, allow it to calmly exit the carrier. If it goes to hide, don't disturb it. The kitten will familiarize itself with the surrounding smells, including yours. So be patient with it.
Once it feels comfortable in your home, you can pet it, carry it (gently), and talk to it to help it get used to you.
Living with Another Pet
Welcoming your kitten also involves a successful meeting with your first pet. If you already have another pet at home, the meeting may lead to unexpected reactions. Before adopting your kitten, it is essential to know or test the compatibility of your pet (dog or cat).
The meeting may go wonderfully. Your pet and kitten might be wary at first, sniff each other for a while, and if all goes well, they’ll eventually play together. However, your first pet may become nervous, jealous, or feel neglected.
Living with Another Cat
Opposite-sex cats tend to get along better. Sterilization often helps calm conflicts and fights between cats.
- Initially, allow your cat to smell the kitten's scent through the door of the room where the kitten is.
- When your cat seems to accept the kitten's scent, proceed to the introduction.
- During the introduction of the kitten to your adult cat, it is possible that the adult cat may hiss or growl. In this case, monitor the interaction and clap your hands if your adult cat becomes aggressive.
- Even if the adult cat seems to "sulk" in the beginning, it will eventually accept the kitten’s presence.
- Don’t neglect your first pet, and continue caring for it as usual.
Living with a Dog
When introducing a kitten to a dog, wait until your dog has become accustomed to the kitten’s scent and meowing from the other room. If your dog has a negative reaction (growling, raised fur), you may need to wait several days before the meeting. On the other hand, if the dog wags its tail and seems happy, you can move to the next step. Try a visual meeting, open the door to the room where the kitten is, but prevent your dog from entering; you can hold the dog on a leash or use a barrier. Don’t hesitate to reward your dog with treats during this phase. Finally, during the physical meeting, if possible, muzzle your dog or at least keep it on a leash to avoid it being too rough with your kitten. The initial encounters should be short but positive before considering leaving them together in full freedom.
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