9 Tips for Bringing a New Kitten Home ...

By Heather

9 Tips for Bringing a New Kitten Home ...

Bringing a new kitten home is a great way to infuse more joy into your life, but it’s also a very serious commitment. I adopted my own two cats a couple years ago when they were just four months old, and I’ve loved watching them grow into happy, healthy full-grown kitties ever since. Are you thinking about bringing a new kitten home? Here are a few important things to keep in mind.

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1

Make a Commitment

Bringing a new kitten home is a decision to love and care for your pet throughout his or her entire life, so be sure you are emotionally and financially able to commit before you adopt. It truly breaks my heart to hear about pets being abandoned at shelters when their guardians move or become “too busy” to care for them. Animals are not toys or mere possessions, so don’t adopt unless you are ready to love them as a permanent part of your family.

2

Prepare Your Home

Little kittens love to play and explore, so be sure your home is ready. Things like small knickknacks and cords will be viewed as playthings in the eyes of a young kitten, so be sure these items are stored away or otherwise secured. Items like loose string and toxic plants can also be fatal to cats when ingested, so work with your local rescue organization to ensure you’ve created a safe and welcoming environment.

3

Consider Adopting a Pair

Kittens love companionship, so adopting a pair of litter mates or compatible rescue pals is always a great idea. While looking after two kittens will certainly increase the amount of responsibility you have, it also means you’ll have two beautiful cats to love and watch develop distinct personalities as the years go by. Plus, it means they’ll always have a friend to cuddle and play with, even when you aren’t home.

4

Introduce New Things Slowly

Your kitten will likely be a bit timid when you first bring her home, so set aside a small room where she can become acclimated for at least the first couple of days. Once she’s had a chance to get comfortable, you can open the door and let her explore other areas little by little, along with slowly and carefully introducing her to any other cats or dogs in your home.

5

Spay, Neuter and Microchip

Depending how old your kitten is when adopted, your local rescue organization may have already had her/him spayed or neutered. If not, the group may in some cases be able to help cover part or all of the cost, or point you in the direction of a low-cost provider, so be sure to double check before you adopt. While spaying and neutering at a vet’s office can sometimes cost as much as several hundred dollars, it’s also important for ensuring your kitten’s health and well-being as he or she matures. Having a microchip implanted is also a smart way to help a shelter or rescue team return your cat should he ever become lost.

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6

Prioritize Health and Safety

From getting her vaccinated to establishing a healthy diet, the decisions you make now will impact your kitten’s well-being for years to come. Talk with your vet about the specific types of care your cat will need, both now and in the future. Outdoor cats are also much more likely to be injured, killed or sickened, so keep your kitten indoors to help ensure a long and healthy life.

7

Never Declaw

If you’re even so much as thinking about declawing your kitten, don’t! A cat’s claws are a vital part of his fingers and toes, and removing them is incredibly cruel and painful, with lasting physical and mental effects that will remain throughout the rest of his life. Yes, cats may on occasion scratch furniture, but if you aren’t prepared to value your pet more than you do your material belongings, don’t adopt one in the first place. Also, please remember that there are plenty of simple and humane solutions available, like providing scratching posts and keeping the claws neatly trimmed.

8

Offer Love, Toys and Attention

Kittens are full of energy and eager to give and receive love, so be sure to brush, pet, cuddle, and play with her every chance you get. Store-bought feather wand and mice toys are favorites for cats of all ages, and even the simplest things, like an empty cardboard box or crumpled up newspaper, can also entertain. Think a kitten’s energy levels might not be compatible with your busy lifestyle? There are many older cats in need of loving homes, too, so don’t overlook them during the adoption process.

9

Provide Training

The training you provide now will stay with your kitten as he grows. Think it’s cute when he bites or pounces on your finger, or jumps up onto a kitchen table? It might not be quite as adorable once he’s full-grown, so talk with your vet and local rescue organization about the best training methods, such as consistently saying “no” and removing him from anywhere he isn’t supposed to be.

Are you considering bringing a new kitten home, or do you already have a feline friend in the house? What other essential tips do you have to share?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

I had to get my kitten declawed. I found the kitten in a parking lot, I'm a crate with a sign that said "free". I took him home, I o couldn't find him a home. So I kept him. But I have a condition where in a few years I will be put on blood thinners. And then u really have to reduce getting cut, so I had to get him declawed. Otherwise I would have had to take him to the kill shelter, and I can't take any animal there. I think it's ok to declaw, as long as its done early, and u still take wonderful care of the pet and keep it inside. He acts like he still has claws and he doesn't mind. I probably wouldn't have declawed him if I didnt have this Medical problem, but I think with stuff like that its ok

@Carly for sure. They may not become friends

My aunt and I chose two kittens before in the same litter, and they are like living hell with each other. They constantly getting in to stuff, and when ever some one comes over they tag team you, one hisses at you while the other will try to bite. Thank God she got them declawed. I advise that you only get one cat from a litter.

Also there's alot to read up on when bringing home a new cat with existing cats.

Before bringing any pet home do your research! Declawing takes the cats first knuckle, put that in perspective with your own fingers, you may change your mind! Couple of things: when you bring the cat home keep them in a smaller space like the bathroom w/cat box scratching post, etc. and never play rough with them. Do you like someone sticking their hand in your face? Make sure you still spend lots of time playing and cuddling. Get your cats altered! If you want your children to witness the miracle of birth instead take them to a kill shelter so they understand the "miracle" of death.

I have a pet - a female cat..actually it is her on the photo

My boyfriend will get a kitten soon and it is a she. I will be staying there while the kitten arrives, so I want to know how to handle it and I don't want to miss carry it and let it sick/stress by me not knowing what to do. I've already search this and that, about how to raise a kitten or how to bring home a kitten, what things need to be done, what food should he buy, how to prevent stress for the kitten and so much more. I used to have a cat but when I get him, he is already old enough. If it need to be compared with human's age, it will be around 30 or so. Kind of old tho... Anyway, since this is a small kitten I and my boyfriend will take care of, I want to make sure that the kitten make his apartment, her home and be comfortable with it. I don't want the little think to be sick because mishandling...

Thank you so much for mentioning how cruel removing cats' claws are.

@Inna what a sweetheart she looks to be! One of my pet kitties is in my profile pic too

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