Getting a new kitten is enjoyable. Even if you may have been anticipating getting a kitten for some time, you might not even be aware that it was going to enter your home.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the arrival, the first month with your new kitten is a month of changes. There are things you can do to ease these transitions.
Before Bringing Your Kitten Home
If you plan to bring a new kitten home, you need take some time to make ready for its arrival. To help other family members and pets become acclimated to them, get the materials your kitten will need and set them up in your home. Pheromones can be released before to the new kitten’s arrival to help your current cats and the new kitten feel comfortable. Even if you already have a cat, make sure the new kitten has its own bed, food and water dishes, and a few toys. Prepare a bathroom or another small room with these items so that your kitten can spend its first few nights there.
There should be at least one more litter box than there are cats, and there shouldn’t be a direct line of sight between the litter boxes. You’ll also need extra litter and, of course, kitten food to help your cat feel at home.
First Day
Although your new kitten’s first day is incredibly exciting, you need to be careful not to overexcite it. Build up a safe place and sit on the floor while it gets used to it if you didn’t have time to prepare for the kitten’s arrival. Alternately, allow the kitten to investigate the tiny area you’ve already made.
Allow your other pets to sniff the kitten while you are holding it if you have any, but be sure to always keep it safe. Keep the kitten in the little room with its belongings when you can’t keep an eye on it to prevent injuries to people.
Ensure that the kitten is fed, has access to water, and is aware of where the litter boxes are. If the kitten wants to nap, let it. Keep the kitten’s carrier close by if it’s feeling worried and wants to curl up inside it.
10 Days
Within a few days, your kitten will start to explore its new surroundings and get used to where the food, drink, and litter boxes are. It might even become friendly with your pets and establish a preferred sleeping spot.
Keep an eye on how often your cat uses the litter box during this time, and make sure they’re getting their food and water. If you discover any parasites, blood, loose feces, etc. in the litterbox, take this sample to the veterinarian. You must set up a consultation during this time to get your kitten inspected, anyway.
If your cat wears a collar, make sure it’s comfortable and add some identification—perhaps a name tag with your contact information—in case the kitten manages to get out. You might discuss microchipping with your veterinarian as a more reliable form of identification.
30 Days
By the end of the first month, your kitten should be eating, drinking, and using the litter box normally. Your cat should feel at ease in its new surroundings by this point, thus actions like furniture clawing, wrestling, climbing, etc., are likely to be observed. If your kitten starts acting in a way that is not ideal for you, make sure to put a stop to it right away. Make sure your kitten has the proper playthings, climbing structures, and scratching posts. Use biscuits and catnip to entice it to the areas you want it to play in and on.
Wait until your kitten has had all of the required vaccines before taking them anywhere other than the veterinarian’s office. The kitten also needed shots, a fecal check, and a physical examination at least once from the vet. Maintain the recommended initial immunization schedule and, while you’re there, inquire about monthly preventatives for parasites like fleas, heartworms, and intestinal worms with your veterinarian.
Do not panic if your other cat and the new kitten are not yet getting along and you have another cat. Your cat may need more than 30 days to become used to this because the operation can be drawn out.
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