Kittens are naturally curious, but can feel a little insecure when they arrive in their new home. The easiest way to make them feel safe is to secure one or two rooms (e.g. the kitchen or living room) where you expect them to spend the most time in your home.
It’s natural for your cat to want to have somewhere to hide and escape, so keep a cat basket or a simple cardboard box covered with a cozy blanket inside. Position it where your cat won’t be disturbed and you can leave some kitten food under the blanket to reward them for settling in.
Block off areas where they might crawl under, be frightened or get stuck (e.g. under kitchen appliances or cupboards, or behind the sofa).
Make sure all windows and doors remain closed to prevent escape attempts! This also prevents the kitten from getting stuck in a closed door or falling out of a window and seriously injuring themselves.
It is vitally important to consider anything that might encourage your kitten to investigate, but could cause them harm (e.g. lengths of scissors, string or other small objects). Keep all of these securely locked away in cupboards or in inaccessible places.
Finally, consider plants and other potentially toxic substances in your home. A curious kitten could chew on a poisonous plant and be easily poisoned by secreting a dangerous cleaning fluid.
Your kitten should already know how to use the litter box when it arrives at your home, but if not, it is relatively easy to train it to use the litter box. Make sure you place a litter box of the same type that you are sure your kitten already uses in a quiet, secure area.
It is important to have a separate food and water bowl, and these should not be near your kitten’s litter box. It is neither hygienic nor attractive for your kitten to eat near its own litter box!
It is important that your kitten gets used to human touch from a young age. Get soft brushes for your kitten’s fur and develop a daily routine where you brush them every day, brush their teeth (with cat toothpaste), check their ears, eyes, mouth and claws. This information will help you later on when they need to visit the vet or when you need to give them medicine at home or trim their nails.
A climbing pole is another essential investment that is good for kittens. They will love stretching themselves with it and sharpening their nails. Some have sleeping areas high off the ground where your kitten will feel extra safe and secure
Fishing toys are best for both adults and kittens. They provide hours of endless fun and exercise where your kitten learns how to safely develop hunting skills while protecting your hands and feet.
Balls are also a good toy to teach your kitten to play with. Some kittens also love to learn how to fetch crumpled paper balls!
Empty boxes also provide endless fun and can be used to play hide and seek between you and your kitten. Just make sure they won’t get stuck in something.
Do not teach your kitten to play with string or ribbons, as these can be swallowed and cause serious intestinal problems that require immediate attention.
Likewise, all toys should be bigger than your kitten’s mouth and sturdy enough not to shatter into pieces, so they won’t be accidentally swallowed or pose a choking hazard.
Finally, have fun! Getting to know your kitten and bonding with them emotionally is probably the best part of owning a cat.
When you first bring your kitten home, make sure the house is as quiet as possible and don’t be surprised if he or she is a little skittish. Show your kitten its room and let it explore on its own. Leave the door slightly open so that your kitten can come and go as it pleases.
Cats are extremely cautious and observant by nature. Before socializing and exploring, they need to analyze everything around them and make sure it is secure. If you have a timid cat, while it is important to give it time, it is also very useful to make moves to encourage it. Create calm spaces for your cat to feel safe and secure, but also to get away when needed. Regardless of the size of your home, you can do this even in a minimal space for your cat, and you can also get help from window or wall-mounted cat furniture.
Cats need time to adapt to the space they are in. Remember that after a while you should respect your cat for marking its own space and becoming comfortable in it. In particular, your cat may like to sit or sleep in a particular area. At the same time, it may have embraced and loved the area with its own cushion, kennel or toys. Changing these frequently, forcing him to sleep or play in a different place each time, for example by placing his cushion in an unrelated part of the house, will make him uncomfortable. Cats are fond of their independence. He will come to you when he wants attention or needs something. Don’t force him, let him make his own decisions.
As with dogs, rewarding cats will motivate them significantly. A cat that feels good about itself will exhibit behavior that is far from nervous. You can set the limits and use your creativity when it comes to rewards. A new toy, treats, your cat’s favorite food, or even playing with your cat using toys that you have made yourself are all motivating. A cat that feels safe is more eager to play.
