Bringing The New Kitten Home

As a pet sitter I see this quite often, a friend's cat has kittens, they are so adorable and they need a home. So, as a favor to your friend you accept one, or two, of the cute fur balls to take home with you. Or the children have been begging for a pet and a cat is more independent than a dog and cuddlier when you're sitting on the couch and reading a book.

STOP! Before bringing home the new addition, make sure that you and your home are prepared. Cats can bring entertaining antics, love, cuddles and companionship to your home for their entire life if they get a good start at the very beginning. If you're prepared for the new arrival, then the kitten arrives at a comfortable new home with a loving family instead of a scary, lonely place without Mom or siblings.

Before bringing the kitten home you need to go to the store for the basic necessities -

Litter Box & Litter – Cats are naturally fastidious and will willingly use a litter box to eliminate in. Place the litter box in a convenient location but not near the food and water bowls. You wouldn't think of snacking in the toilet, your cat won't appreciate it either. There are many types of litter on the market, the clumping kind is easy to clean up but if anyone in your house has respiratory issues, you might do better to go with another type. Breathing in the clumping dust (which will be present when filling the box or cleaning) can aggravate existing respiratory conditions.

Food and Water Bowls – When first starting out, you might just use small bowls and then move onto larger, heavy duty as the cat grows up and is able to reach a larger bowl. If your kitten decides that splashing the water is one of their favorite toys, you might also consider a food mat with a raised edge to place the bowls on. Keep the water bowl filled and decide whether you're going to keep the food bowl filled constantly or place food in the bowl on a regular basis and then stick to the schedule. Do NOT feed human food to the cat, if they're not used to it, it can cause tummy issues and the resultant litter box issues. Milk, cheese or tuna is very rich to a kittens stomach, like you eating ice cream and cake on a regular basis.

Cat Bed – Which they probably won't sleep in. If you get them started early with placing the drowsy or sleeping kitten in the cat bed, they will become accustomed to it. They'll probably still wind up on your bed at some point keeping you company because that's what cats do.

Cat Carrier – Either a hard or soft sided carrier is necessary. Taking the kitten home while you hold it in your lap is such a bad idea. If the cat becomes frightened or becomes car sick, which you don't know until you take that first ride with them, you are the obvious target of the fallout. The carrier will protect both of you. Also, the kitten can get away from you and crawl under your feet while you're operating the vehicle, this is a way worse distraction than even talking on a cel phone.

Collar with identification tags – Are you determined that your kitten will be an indoor kitty only? Trust me, the cat will have other ideas. Like most dependents, they will have their own personality and will want to push any limits placed upon them. And cats are sneaky, if they want to get out the door, you might not even see them as they slide by. Having the collar and ID on the wanderer can be a big help if they decide to visit the neighbors.

Cat Brush – Yep, even the classic American Shorthair cat will shed. During certain months, especially in the spring they will shed a Lot. And most cats enjoy being brushed, it's a good bonding activity for the two of you. Regular brushing or combing once a week will help to control hairballs and prevent matting in your cats fur.

Metal Flea Comb – Even indoor kitties need to be checked on a regular basis. If running the comb through their fur results in little black specks in the residue, it's past time to apply the next flea treatment.

Nail clippers – If you start handling their paws and clipping their nails when they are small they will consider it a normal part of your bonding activity and it will save a lot of wear and tear on your furniture. Weekly clipping of their claws will keep them blunt and prevent damage to the furniture.

NOTE: If you're thinking of de-clawing your cat, let me ask you if you would be OK with someone cutting off your fingers and/or toes to the first joint? That's what is done to cats when they are de-clawed.

Toys – Lots and lots of toys, good, sturdy, bitey toys, toss em toys, string toys. Homemade toys like crumpled sheets of paper and a paper bag or cardboard box to run in and out of can provide hours of entertainment. If you've ever interacted with cats then you know what you need. And you'll be playing with your kitten every day, both for entertainment value and to keep them occupied and in shape. You can't just set up some toys and expect the kitten to entertain itself, interaction is key. Do not encourage biting or scratching games with the kitten, it won't be so cute when the cat is full grown.

Scratching Post – Again, your furniture will thank you. In addition to rubbing catnip on the scratching post to attract the cat to it, you will want one of the 'Cat Off' sprays that are on the market if you notice them paying particular attention to a piece of furniture. To find out what might be attracting their attention, get down on your hands and knees and take a look from the kitten's eye level. You'll see things that you hadn't considered might be in harm's way from your new fur ball. Or that might harm the fur ball, keep plants (all not just poisonous), cleaning supplies and medicines out of reach and shut away.

Introductions - When bringing in a new addition to the household consider how many members, two or four legged that the kitten needs to be introduced to. Pay attention to how the kitten is reacting to the new area they find themselves in and how the introductions go. The new pet is already in a very stressful situation by being removed from Mom and its litter mates. If the kitten ever appears frightened or becomes aggressive during introductions, just slow it up a bit and let the kitten rest before continuing the process. It can take several days for the new addition to become accustomed to the different sounds, smells and members of their new home.

About this same time is a good time to introduce the kitten to their new veterinarian also or when the kitten is eight weeks old. Wait until they are comfortable and established in their new home before taking them to another new scarey place. Make an appointment for their first visit for a general exam and initial shots.

The first year of a cat's life will be part of the foundation for their personality for the rest of their life. Giving them a good start in life will help both of you enjoy your many years together. If you are thinking of adopting a pet into your life, please visit the animal shelters in your area first. There are some lonely and loving animals there just waiting for you to show up for them.