A new kitten has now been adopted into your family.
You’ll be seduced by the incredible behavior and unique characteristics of this new member of your family, and you’ll see what a loving, affectionate pet he really is. You won’t be able to help yourself when it curls up in a sleepy, fluffy ball on your lap. In return for all the joy your kitten offers you, all it needs is the right and regular care to help guarantee a long, happy and healthy life.
It is now your responsibility to help him learn the rules of your home. The better you get to know your kitten, the easier it will be to build a deep and loving relationship with him or her. Over time, you will see how easy it is to take care of your kitten. However, there are some basic rules and preparations you need to make in order for him to be comfortable with this new family.
For those who have never owned a cat before, bringing one home for the first time can be a challenging experience, but there are many things you can do to get off on the right foot.
1.Cats like to paw and bite:
Kittens are just like human kittens, learning about the world around them with their eyes, hands (i.e. paws) and mouths. No matter what age they are, cats are playful animals that love to play with anything they can find around. This last part is important because you may think the floor in your home is clean, but if you walk on your hands and knees, you’re likely to see things that could cause problems for your kitten. Before you bring the kitten home, there may be things you need to watch out for and remove from the backs of sofas and shelves. These are things like strings, buckles, packing peanuts, plastic bags, sewing materials, toy parts, erasers, etc.
2.Not All Plants Are Healthy:
Houseplants make your home look green, but you need to be careful about your kitten’s contact with them. Thistle, lily, mistletoe and poinsettia are just a few of the poisonous houseplants that can make your kitten sick with constant exposure. Lilies, azaleas and daffodils are common garden plants that are poisonous to cats. Similarly, it is important to check and make sure that any vase flowers you bring into your home are safe for kittens to be around.
3.Keep the Toilet Seat Closed:
Cats look for water to sip throughout the day. One of the easiest places to drink water is in the bathroom toilet. This may seem disgusting to you, but not all cats are sensitive to this and there is always water there for them to drink if they get thirsty. If you have a kitten in your home, make sure you always keep the toilet seat closed. With the toilet seat open Your furry friend could fall into the toilet bowl and risk drowning. Other things in your home that you should keep closed are garbage cans, laundry baskets, washing machines and dryers.
4.Hotspots are Not Safe:
Although kittens love the warmth, it’s important to keep them safe in these places they love. Whether the heat comes from a fireplace or a wood-burning stove, make sure these hot spots aren’t a place to fall asleep. If necessary, regulate your cat’s access to them by moving the climbing places or waking them up after a certain period of time. Finally, make sure that all electric heaters are unplugged and stored properly when not in use. If they are plugged in, keep the heater under control at all times to protect it from excessive heat.
5.Cat Friendly Furniture:
Adult cats and kittens love to paw, but they don’t know where to paw until you teach them. The easiest targets for your cat’s paws and nails are heavy furniture such as sofas or tables. Rugs and carpeted stairs are also favorites. When trying to protect the furniture in your home from cat damage, consider not only what your cat can claw at, but also what they can climb on, such as curtains, long tablecloths or shelves. Direct these tendencies to the scratching post or cat tree so that he knows exactly which items belong to him/her.
6.Secure What Doesn’t Belong to Him/Her:
Cats are curious by nature, so closing a closet door doesn’t mean your furry friend will stay away from it. Remember that your cat is a very good climber and keep the closet door closed at all times. If there is a special room that your cat shouldn’t go into, keep the door to this room closed at all times.
7.Lock All Fly Screens:
Cats by nature love sunlight and come to the windowsills to enjoy this natural warmth. To make your home safe for your cat, check all the screens on your windows and doors even in winter. Be sure to do this in spring or summer, when your cat is getting used to its surroundings. If the screens are not properly closed and locked, your cat could face a dangerous situation.
8.Buy His/Her Favorite Toys:
The busier your pet is, the less likely it is to get into trouble. Kittens love to play, so keep plenty of toys around for him to play with when he’s done napping. As you can imagine, he’ll love toy mice and rattling balls so you’ll know where he is by the sounds he makes at various times during the day. Expect your cat to alternate between playing with you and napping on your lap.
9.Be patient when making your home safe for cats:
A kitten may avoid all cables or moving objects on the floor, but may be interested in climbing curtains or jumping on shelves. It may drink from the sink but not from a water bowl. Make it easy for him to get to know his new home by having him stay temporarily in a small cat-safe room during the learning process, then gradually allow him access to more of the house as he gets used to the rules. Always keep a careful eye on him while letting him roam and explore his new living space.
Finally, it’s not a good idea to punish an adult or kitten for misbehaving. It may not know the correct behavior because it is still learning the rules of your home. Punishing a cat will only make the situation worse and cause it to get stressed and run away from everyone. What is acceptable for proper training and rewards for correct behavior
that there is something wrong with your child. If you notice that he is a little distressed, guide him to his toys or scratching post. Your pet is still learning and is looking to you for direction. Show him the same patience as you would a young child just learning about the world, and your bond will grow stronger every time.
10.Toilet Training of Cats:
Cats are very clean by nature. Luckily, your kitten will have already learned how to use the litter box from its mother. All you need to do is buy a plastic litter box that is big enough for your kitten to move around in and big enough to cover the bottom with litter. If possible, use the same litter box as before, your kitten will like the familiar smell and texture. Show your kitten where you put the litter box and put it in after meals. Also do the same if you see it sniffing around, squatting or acting as if it needs to “go to the toilet”.
If you have space, put more than one litter box and make sure you clean it every day. One more litter box than the number of cats in the house will help your cat with preference.
Sand Container Do’s and Don’ts:
Place your cat’s litter box away from its bed and food and make it a very private place. Empty the litter box regularly. Your cat will not want to use the litter box if it is “dirty”. Some disinfectants and bleach are toxic to cats. It is therefore best to use only hot water and detergent. If you are pregnant, try to get someone else to clean the litter box, or wear gloves and a mask and wash your hands thoroughly immediately after cleaning. Fortunately, these precautions minimize the risk of Toxoplasma, which can cause serious problems in unborn babies.
Even for the smartest kitten, accidents are inevitable from time to time. Whatever you do, don’t punish him. Praise him when he uses the litter box and maybe give him a small treat. Soon everything will be fine.
11.Nutrition:
When you first bring your kitten home, it is best to continue feeding it the food it is used to. Not all kitten foods are the same. Some contain raw materials of a much higher quality than others. This is why you may want to change your kitten’s food to a food recommended by your veterinarian. You will need a period of 5-7 days to make this change. You should mix the old and new food, increasing the proportion of the new food and decreasing the proportion of the old food, until the new food is his only food.
Depending on the cat’s age, weight and neutering status, you can start feeding a professional food recommended by your veterinarian that contains the ingredients necessary for the cat. In consultation with your veterinarian, you can also decide how often the kitten should be fed.
A kitten’s stomach is tiny, so it will need small but frequent meals in the beginning. Until your kitten is 6 months old, you should put fresh food in a clean bowl almost 4 times a day.
Cats need separate food and water bowls for each individual, which should be kept away from the litter box. It is important to keep the food clean and the contents fresh. Cats may refuse old food or stale water. If you suspect that they are not drinking enough water, it is possible that they have tasted the chemicals in the water, in which case you can offer bottled water. Some cats prefer to drink from running water sources such as water fountains or dripping taps. In this case, you can buy water fountains designed for cats. Remember that if your cat is on dry food, it is imperative that you give your cat plenty of water.
Obesity is common in cats and can predispose them to serious health problems. So monitor your cat’s weight and work with your vet if weight loss is necessary. On the other hand, low body weight can also cause or be an indicator of health problems.
12.Brushing and Bathing:
Cats are normally very meticulous lickers. Most cats spend most of the day licking their fur clean. Sometimes, however, they may need help when their fur becomes matted. Therefore, you should get your cat used to having its coat combed as soon as possible. The sooner you start, the easier it will be for you in the long run.
- The best time to brush your cat is when they are tired and relaxed. If your cat doesn’t seem to like being brushed, start by brushing only a little bit every day. His tolerance will soon increase. Be sure to give lots of affection and praise your cat after each brushing. He may even start to see the combing sessions as a special reward.
- If you have a long-haired cat, you should use a comb to comb its hair. Start with the areas he likes the most (mostly his chin and head) and then move on to other areas. If you come across matted areas, you can cut them off with a pair of blunt scissors.
- If your cat has short hair, you can use a plastic brush to comb it. Remember to wet or dampen the brush well before you start combing. This will help to pick up loose hairs and prevent them from flying around.
- If your cat needs a bath, get a shampoo suitable for cats. Do not use human shampoos. Then close all windows and doors to allow the room to warm up.
- If your cat is overwhelmed or frightened by the size of the bath, you can try using a basin or sink instead. Warm water about 10 cm high or just above your cat’s paws is sufficient.
- Clean your cat’s ears first before putting them in the water. You can wipe their ears with a cotton swab moistened with warm water. You should only clean the visible parts of the ears and never try to clean the ear canal.
- After that, comb or brush your cat’s fur before bathing it. This will help to solve the problem of shedding hair.
- With a pair of rubber gloves, grab your cat by the scruff of the neck and gently lower it into shallow, hot water.
- Wet your cat’s back, waist and legs. You can use a small plastic bowl or jug. Remember that most cats will panic if you try to use a shower head.
- Apply the cat shampoo and massage gently before rinsing to distribute the shampoo thoroughly all over your cat’s body. Do not use too much shampoo. This will only make it more difficult for you to rinse it off. These shampoos are formulated not to irritate his eyes and ears, but still try to protect these areas.
- After rinsing, you should keep a soft, warm towel handy to dry your cat. If your cat is not afraid of noise, you can dry them with a hair dryer. Or you can just wrap it in a towel and dry it.
- Don’t be surprised if your cat starts licking itself clean again immediately after bathing. This is just his way of getting his fur in the shape he wants it to be.
Remember that you shouldn’t bathe your cat too often, as this can damage the natural oil balance in its coat and skin. However, if your cat has rolled in a dirty place and is unable to clean itself, a bath is a good idea.
13.Training Your Cat:
First and foremost, cats don’t understand punishment. It is much more effective to encourage correct behavior. If he is doing something you want him to give up, tell him “no” gently and clearly. If he does something you encourage, give him all your love and attention. Treats are always motivating, so make sure you have some treats on hand. But be careful not to give too many of them.
14.Socialize Your Kitten:
Cats have a very short socialization phase. In fact, the most critical period for behavior and social development is between weeks 4 and 16. There’s a good chance that your cat has already had contact with people before coming to live with you, especially if he came from an animal shelter. Be sure to introduce him to children as well. But warn them to play gently with them first. In general, it’s good to do some familiarization exercises until they feel comfortable around new people. If you force him/her to socialize more than he/she wants to, he/she may become anxious or withdrawn and sometimes even have health problems due to stress.
Keep training sessions short. Focus on one command at a time and once he learns it, move on to the next. Practice the commands in many places around the house so that he gets used to responding to you in every situation.
When training your kitten, you need to have plenty of toys around. When he starts to do something he shouldn’t, direct his attention to the toys. Think of these toys as a reward for avoiding bad behavior. Having toys around to play with will keep the kitten mentally and physically occupied. You can also spray cat scent on the toys to encourage him to play.
14.Introducing the New Cat to the Other Cats in the House:
Remember that cats are not necessarily social creatures. Unlike dogs, who are dependent on others around them, cats are free to roam freely on their own without a social structure around them. They don’t ‘need’ companionship, even if you would like to have another cat around. You can’t force cats to like each other, you can only try. This is because some cats will easily live with the newcomer, while others will never get along or may live in an uneasy truce with each other. However, if there is no competition for food or safe sleeping places (as in most peaceful homes), then the cats will eventually accept each other and some will even form a close bond with the other cat.
There are a number of factors that play a role in the successful reunification of cats:
Is it an adult or a kitten?
When choosing a cat, you should first decide whether you want to bring home a kitten or an adult cat. Kittens are usually curious, playful and energetic. You will see them grow and mature and can influence the development of their personality. Because a kitten is not yet sexually mature, it is a smaller threat to the resident cat than an adult cat. It may be even better to get a kitten of the opposite sex to minimize competition from the resident cat. Neutering can solve many problems like this, but not all of them. If you are getting an adult cat, it may still be better to get a cat of the opposite sex.
Timing
You should choose a quiet moment when the house is calm. You should avoid celebrations, parties, visits from relatives or friends and take time to concentrate on reassuring both cats of peace.
16.Smell is important:
Remember that smell is a cat’s most important sense for communication and health. Before introducing them to the cat living at home, you can try to familiarize the new cat with the smells of ‘home’ and make it less foreign to them. To do this, you should stroke each of the cats without washing your hands and let the smells mix.
You can also collect scents from around the cat’s head by rubbing it against your house and furniture and gently stroking it with a soft towel. Similarly, allowing the cat to get used to the new smells of the house and the other cat can make the first meeting more acceptable. It can therefore be very helpful to delay the introduction of the cats for a few days or even a week. During this time, you should keep them in separate rooms, but allow them to inspect each other’s room and bedding without actually meeting.
17.Using a cage or carrier for familiarization:
It is up to you to make both the new cat and the resident cat feel as safe as possible and to protect the new cat from being chased or threatened. Problems can arise if fights or chases are allowed to escalate during first encounters. The best way to avoid this is to use a kitten cage for first introductions. The cat inside can see what is going on around it and feels safe because it is inside, in its own ‘hole’.
18.Introducing to Dogs:
Dogs and cats are often described as enemies, but introducing a new cat to a dog is often much easier than introducing a new cat to a dog. Although both animals can be wary of each other at first, they don’t see the other pet as a direct competitor and can get along really well.
If your dog is getting used to your cats, they may initially be excited to be new in the house. However, within a very short time he will calm down and get over the new situation very quickly.
19.Playing and Toys:
Cats love to play games and all they need is a little creativity. First of all, try hiding treats around the house for a hunting game. Cats are born natural hunters and love to look for surprises. You can also play hide and seek. Go to different rooms in your house and call his name and don’t forget to reward him every time he finds you.
Cat toys are also a great way to get cats moving. Try toys like sticks with feathers on the end, small remote-controlled cars and rattles, or tie a string to one of their toys and give it a quick tug and it will instantly jump on it as the string will appear to be moving. The only thing to remember is to never let your cat use your hands and fingers as “prey”. This will teach him that humans are not prey. It’s best to stop this behavior before it becomes a habit with your cat because it’s a hard habit to change.
20.Scratching Post:
Scratching objects is a normal marking behavior for cats and most cats can be taught to use scratching posts. Once you understand your cat’s preferred scratching materials and shape, you will be better equipped to purchase a suitable scratching material. For example, if your cat likes to scratch furniture, a vertical scratching post might be a good choice. A cat that likes the horizontal movement of a floor carpet may prefer a flattened cardboard box or a scratching post placed on its side. A cat that scratches on drapes may prefer a vertical scratching post tall enough for a long stretch, such as those attached to a wall or door. Take your cat to the new scratching area or object of your approval and reward her with treats and praise for using it. In some cases, applying feline pheromone to the scratching post may cause a reluctant cat to use it.
21.Health and Personality:
There are many indicators of health and temperament. Healthy cats should have bright eyes with little or no discharge and clean nostrils. Runny eyes, sneezing or a runny nose can indicate a respiratory infection. The inside of the cat’s ears should be clean and free of any discharge. A black, tar-like discharge in the ear canal usually indicates an ear mite infestation, while a discharge in the ear canal can be seen if there is a bacterial or yeast infection. The mouth and gums should be pink and moist, with no ulcers or scars. The cat’s coat should be shiny and free of hair loss, dandruff or any signs of external parasites. The cat should not be too thin or have a flabby belly (both conditions may indicate the presence of internal parasites or another medical disorder).
In terms of behavior, the cat should be friendly and comfortable with people. A physically healthy kitten is active, intelligent, responsive and eager to participate in play. Watch out for a kitten that frequently runs and hides or appears lethargic, and sleeps more than seems normal.
If you choose to adopt a cat with health problems, know that the cat will need to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Treatment costs can be high, but illnesses often heal and flourish with adequate care and a loving home.
