Welcome Your New Kitten
Provided by Purina
The thought of bringing home a new kitten can be at once exciting and overwhelming.
Here are some kitten-specific suggestions that will help make your new friend's
welcome a warm and lasting one.
Kitten-Proof Your Home
Keep small items such as tinsel, rubber bands, buttons and beads out of reach —
your kitten could choke on them. Place all electric cords out of reach. Also be
aware of those household products and plants that may be harmful to your new kitten.
Cat Carrier
Bring your new kitten home in a cat carrier. Cat carriers are a safe and familiar
place for your kitten when you visit the veterinarian or travel, and can keep your
curious kitten out of trouble when need be.
Litter Box
You can help your kitten to understand what is expected by placing her in the litter
box after feeding. Kittens do not need a full-size litter box and might do better
in a box with lower sides (about 1”).
Litter Box Training
Watch your kitten closely. When she begins nosing in corners or squatting, place
her in the litter box. Gently scratch the kitten's front paws in the filler, so
she begins to learn that this is the place to deposit and bury waste. If your kitten
has an accident, wipe it up with a paper towel and place the paper towel in the
litter box. Then place the kitten in the litter box and repeat the process of scratching
with her front paws. Do not punish your cat for having an accident. This won't help
her to learn to use the litter box, it will only teach her not to eliminate in front
of you.
When your kitten begins to understand, don't take her good behavior for granted.
Continue to praise her for using the litter box.
Grooming Your New Kitten
It is important to make your kitten feel comfortable about grooming from an early
age. Look into her ears, eyes, nose and mouth regularly. Look at her paws to prepare
her for claw trimming when she needs it. Brush or comb your kitten regularly.
Diet/Nutrition
Kittens can benefit from a different kind of diet than adult cats, as their stomachs
are smaller and their nutritional needs somewhat different. Feed your kitten a kitten
food that is specially designed to meet her nutritional requirements. Feed her in
small amounts, several times a day.
Socialization
The most desirable age to adopt a kitten is between 8 and 12 weeks of age. Kittens
obtained after 12 weeks may be more difficult to manage. The experiences of kittens
during their first few months of life are important in helping to shape their temperaments
and personalities as adults.
Your kitten will need time to adjust to her new environment, and understanding this
is the first step in getting off to a positive start. Place your kitten in a small,
quiet place with food and a litter box. As she becomes more comfortable, you can
gradually allow her access to other rooms in the house. Talk quietly to your kitten
and gently pet her. Set a regular time and place for feeding your kitten.
A kitten separated from her litter-mates and deprived of play activity may demonstrate
some behavior problems in later life. Play helps introduce her to her environment
and is very important in her behavioral development. Stalking and pouncing on imaginary
prey aids in a kitten's neural and muscular development.
Your kitten’s socialization can be enhanced by frequent petting and handling, as
studies show that petting a young kitten can make her more responsive as an adult
cat.
Exposing kittens to as many people as possible is important in helping to lessen
their fear of strangers as adult cats. Kittens should also be introduced to children.
Show children how to pet the kitten. A kitten not socialized with children may reject
or even bite them after she has matured.
Introducing Your New Kitten to Other Pets
Keep your kitten confined to one room of the house for the first few days, giving
your other pet(s) a chance to grow accustomed to her smell. Make the first introduction
short and sweet, removing the kitten after a few minutes. Most pets will work things
out in their own way, which may take about a week. If your pets are having more
difficulty adjusting, supervise their time together and be patient. Offer both pets
a place to go when they want to be alone.
Introducing a new kitten to an older animal can be very stressful on the older animal.
Lavish most of your attention on the older animal, not the kitten, making sure that
the old-timer doesn't feel threatened by the newcomer.
Holding and Carrying
Place one hand under your kitten’s chest and use your other hand to support the
rear. Gently lift the kitten into the crook of your arm.
Sleeping
Your new kitten will sleep up to 16 hours a day. Establish a sleeping place for
her right away, but think twice before you make that spot your bed. Once she gets
comfortable, your kitten may sleep there for the rest of her life.
Playing
It's not a good idea to use hands, fingers, feet or clothing when playing with a
kitten, as your cute little kitten will eventually grow into a healthy-sized cat
and you do not want to encourage aggressive behavior. Providing appropriate toys
for exercising her natural predatory instincts of pouncing, stalking and chasing
will ensure she has a safe and healthy outlet for these behaviors. Do not use toys
that are too heavy for the kitten to move or that are small enough to be swallowed.
Scratching Post
A scratching post is an excellent investment for your new kitten. It will allow
her to scratch, stretch and exercise all at once.
Knowing these basics of new kitten care will make for a happy introduction into
your home.
