Kitten-Proof Your Home and Get It Ready for Kittens
Kittens are not only adorable and animated, but they are also unique individuals with their own personalities, wants, and behaviors.
Before a new kitten (or kittens) are welcomed into your home, you must prepare it for a curious animal with the ability to climb, leap, and scratch. You also need to provide your cat with the right food, bedding, toys, and a litter box.
If you adopt a kitten from a shelter, there is a high likelihood that it has lost contact with its mother. If so, your cat may have had some socializing, but she hasn’t had a lot of chances to practice the appropriate behaviors. In addition, most kittens are adopted when they are only eight to ten weeks old, so your pet is essentially still a baby and has little to no concept of risk or danger.
As a new kitten owner, you must scan your home for any potential dangers and provide your pet with adequate and secure options. Additionally, you must establish and abide by guidelines for kitten behavior.
How to Cat-Proof Your Home
Put on some warm, worn-out clothing, squat down, and assume your cutest kitten demeanor. You can lie on your back as well. Now look above; you’ll likely see a plethora of seductive charms, many of which are harmful to young kittens.
Keeping potentially harmful items out of your kitten’s reach should be your primary priority. The hardest to maintain are electrical wires and outlets, many of which are frequently underground. Since loose wires are attractive to cats and kittens, consider taping wires to baseboards or the underside of tables or desks. Other threats include swaying or gliding furniture that could trap an unwary kitten and flooring with kitten-sized gaps.
Ensure that the traps are properly disposed of if you have ever had to install traps for ants or other pests. Additionally, make sure that anything valuable or breakable is out of a kitten’s reach as they leap and climb.
A list of the things a new kitten needs
Kittens don’t need much, really. Many people are content to rest on your bed or couch and play with a simple string (if you chose to permit it). However, there are a few things you’ll need to buy.
The Basic Necessities
At the very least, your kitten needs food, a bed or other sleeping arrangement, a scratching post or pad, a litter box, and litter. Of course, you won’t be able to help but pick up a few toys. Because your new cat will be secluded from other cats for the first few days, they will make it easier for him to adjust to his new home. List all the items you will need to purchase.
Feather Bed Alternatives
Although your new kitten may be completely comfortable in a cardboard box filled in soft, recent towels or a little blanket, consider purchasing him a real bed like the larger cats. The best solutions are beds with a fully removable and/or washable cover or ones that can be totally cleaned. It won’t be required to spend a lot of money because your kitten is probably going to prefer any sunny location of your home to the bed you’ve made for the end of your bed.
Nutritional supplements for kittens
During the first year of life, a cat’s growth, health, and well-being are all set in action. He must eat premium cat food designed exclusively for felines.
If you are familiar with the brand, feed him the same food he has been eating at the breeders, foster home, or shelter for the time being to avoid stomach problems from abrupt changes. Use a small, low bowl so she can reach it (many cat bowls are intended for larger adults). Additionally, it’s critical to guarantee your cat has access to plenty of clean, fresh water. Daily water replacement is recommended, and you might want to consider purchasing a less expensive “cat fountain” that circulates water and is frequently more enticing to kittens than a simple dish.
Accessed Toys
In the first few weeks, you’ll devote a lot of time to getting to know your new kitten and developing a close attachment that could last a lifetime. One of the best ways to start creating this bond is to play with a cat and an interactive toy. You can purchase cheap or expensive goods at the pet store, but don’t forget that playing “fetch” with a wadded-up piece of paper is another well-liked activity. Other fun cat toys include feather duster, twine, and yarn. However, be careful since feathers, string, and other fun “stuff” can come loose from toys and pose a choking hazard.
Buffer Posts
No cat lover would ever think about de-clawing their cat. Therefore, your new pet will have claws that need to be exercised. Some kittens will want to scratch at your walls or dog; to avoid harm to your home, provide your cat with a scratching post. Cat lovers’ preferred “beginner scratcher” is the Cosmic Alpine Scratcher, an inexpensive, strong cardboard slope with a corrugated cardboard scratching surface.
Poop and a litter box
There are many different litter boxes available, but make sure the one you choose is shallow enough for your little guy to enter and depart without difficulty. Many people begin by using a small, suitable-sized plastic storage box. If you intend to adopt a rescue cat, ask the foster parents for advice on the best litter to use. Additionally, you might want to get some cushions to put all around the box in case accidents happen. Take into account the fact that some kittens will require some time to get acclimated to their litter box.
Prepare Yourself for Your New Pet
If you’ve never owned a kitten before, you’ll need to prepare for pet ownership. Unlike some other pets, kittens require care, attention, and company (such as fish and mice). But that doesn’t mean you have to let your pet live with you. In fact, kittens and cats thrive in settings with clear expectations and regulations, much like people do. Considering that:
- Don’t forget to schedule time for you, your family, and your new pet to develop a bond.
- Choose the rules you will be making for your kitten as a family. Can she take a nap on the furniture? What is your stance on getting up on counters and tables?
- Where will your kitty be sleeping? You may want to keep her confined for the first several weeks because a kitten that decides to hide could easily become “lost.”
- Who is in charge of the kittens’ care? Taking care of a kitten requires time, effort, and labor for everything from feeding to cleaning the litter box to grooming and medical care. Whose responsibility is it to provide what care for a kitten? Make sure everyone is communicating clearly!
Wondering about Kitten Development From 3 to 6 Months? Check it out on our latest post!
