When you first bring home a new kitten, it can feel like you’re raising a tiny wild animal instead of a domesticated pet. Kittens are energetic, curious, and often want to investigate every inch of your home from the moment they walk through the door.
With their big eyes and small stature, kittens are considered to be one of the cutest animals. However, when you’re a new pet owner, the boundless energy of a kitten can be overwhelming. Luckily, we have plenty of helpful tips and tricks in this kitten care guide that will get you started on the right path when it comes to caring for your new kitten.
Kitten-Proof Small Gaps In Your Home
The first few days with a new kitten often involve finding and plugging up every small gap in your home where it’s possible for the kitten to squeeze through. A kitten is small enough to get into some very tiny places, so be sure to check behind furniture, inside drawers, and under your bed for holes. Aside from being a potential danger to the kitten, there are other reasons why you may want to kitten-proof your home, such as avoiding them damaging anything.
Give Them Time To Adjust To Their New Environment
Cats are creatures of habit, so it can take your new kitten a while before they feel comfortable in their own surroundings. New kittens often arrive in your home with a travel bag that they’ve spent several hours in. They’ve probably been in the car with their breeder, too, followed by the trip to you. They arrive in an unfamiliar, noisy place, often with lots of strange smells, and are then taken to a new home. After all this upheaval, it’s no wonder your new kitten doesn’t feel like exploring your home straight away. It won’t be long before your kitten explores your home and gets to know you. They’ll likely sniff everything in sight, scratch your furniture, and try to climb onto anything they can reach. Don’t rush your kitten, and don’t force them to explore their surroundings if they don’t feel ready to do so.
Provide Your New Kitten With A Comfy Bed
Cats love to sleep, and it’s likely that your new kitten will want to find a comfy spot to snooze from the moment they arrive home. A great item to have on hand is a comfy bed. However, as your kitten grows, you’ll need to look into a bed that will still be the right size for them when they’re an adult. Investing in a cat bed from Time For Paws is the perfect way to ensure your kitten’s favourite nap spot lasts for years to come.
Register Your Kitten With A Vet
Getting your kitten vaccinated against diseases is essential. It may seem like a trivial thing when you’re bringing your new kitten home, but it’s something that you should do without fail. It’s important to register your kitten with a vet as soon as possible. This will make it easier to get your kitten vaccinated and get helpful advice on other kitten health issues, such as parasites and worms. The vet will also give your kitten an identification tag with an implanted microchip, which is vital if your kitten gets lost and is taken to a local vet so they can be returned to you.
Invest In Plenty Of Scratching Posts
Kittens love to scratch, particularly when they’re young. It’s a natural behaviour for them to stretch their muscles and sharpen their claws. If you have a few pieces of furniture that your kitten can scratch, it’s likely that they will. You don’t want your kitten to ruin your furniture, though, so it’s worth investing in some scratching posts. Scratching posts are designed to withstand the wear and tear of a kitten and can be found in most pet stores. They’re also reasonably cheap, so you won’t have to spend a fortune on scratching posts.
Place The Litter Tray In A Quiet Area Of Your Home
Cats are naturally clean animals, but if you don’t provide your kitten with a litter tray, they may try to do their business in other areas of your home. It’s wise to have a litter tray in a quiet corner of your home where your kitten can easily access it, as cats prefer to do their business in a quiet location and don’t like to be disturbed when they’re using the litter tray.
Wrapping Up
Kittens are adorable creatures that will bring a lot of joy into your life when you’re ready to take on the responsibility of caring for one. They are high-maintenance pets but are very rewarding when cared for properly. Keep these tips in mind when you bring your new kitten home, and make sure to give yourself a lot of time to adjust.
