Welcoming a new kitten is an exciting and extremely rewarding experience. You must agree and have a reflection as a family before acquiring a kitten.
Aesthetics should not be the only criterion, you must take into account the composition of your household (children for example), your pace of life (how much time can you devote to it each day), the presence of other animals, the space you have available for them (apartment or house with garden)…
Cats will have specific needs that you will have to satisfy or you will create frustration or worse, behavioral problems.
If you are well prepared, you can help your kitten settle in faster and it will be more enjoyable for you too!
Be ready to welcome your kitten :
Adopting a kitten requires many preparations in order to guarantee ideal conditions to welcome it into your home. In addition to buying the necessary equipment, it is also essential to prepare your home. Here are some key things to consider, the importance of a good start.
In nature, the cat evolves in a social group. Very quickly, he must learn to control himself and to communicate within the group. The first weeks of his life are essential for his learning of the world, they build his behavior. Your kitten is able to adapt very quickly to your family and home. However, he is a unique individual who has already begun his construction thanks to some experiences and the lessons instilled by his parents, brother, sister and us. This must be taken into account to avoid bad starts and to continue learning and education.
The arrival of a kitten at this new home can be disturbing for him because he changes his environment, and loses the bearings he has had since birth (geographical, sensory but also social with his mother, brother and sister)
You will need to be patient with your kitten as it may take several days to adjust to you and its environment.
Taking time for him several times a day will be necessary for his adaptation.
Space management :
As soon as he arrives at your home, the cat must have a place reserved for him, where he can retire as soon as he wants, because a kitten sleeps several hours a day, so choose a quiet place without too much traffic.
Vigilance :
Kittens are curious and always on the lookout for exploration. You must therefore secure your home before welcoming your little protege.
The Home:
In an apartment, the balcony will be protected with a screen or a small fence, for example, so that your kitten cannot stick its head out, get stuck or jump.
Toxic Indoor Plants :
Many common indoor plants are very dangerous for cats and kittens, including lily, aloe will see, ivy, dieffenbachia, caladium, pothos, zamioculcas, cyclamen. It’s best to keep all houseplants out of your kitten’s reach or check that they don’t pose a threat to her. Also beware of outdoor plants such as oleander but also toxic products, insecticides, drugs, liquids…
Cages :
We strongly advise you to invest in a cage. This cage will also allow you to transport it safely during your vacation, veterinary visit… A cage is not a punishment but a place where the cat must feel safe for that you can give him his meals inside to get used to it.
The bedding: Choose one that is easy to clean and that will suit your kitten during its growth but also in adulthood.
Water and food bowls :
Stainless steel bowls are interesting because they are resistant and easy to clean. Plus, they won’t rust, chip or break.
Food designed to support kitten growth :
You must start by feeding your kitten with the food adapted to its needs and of quality, this throughout its life. We recommend the Proplan range which we also use, see the section: “Food”
Toys :
Choose the right size toys, balls or treats for your kitten. Rubber cat toys are often more durable. We recommend toys from the “kong” brand because they are extremely resistant. Be careful to adapt the size of the toys to your kitten then cat because a toy that is too small or that deteriorates can become a risk of “intestinal obstruction”.
Litter : :
A kitten needs a clean, disinfected and changed litter box every day. In adulthood it will be necessary to do it twice a week.
You can choose different types of litter (chips, vegetable, clumping, sand…) but we advise you to use wood pellets because it is inexpensive and very effective.
Potty training in 3 steps :
- For a kitten it is preferable to choose to start with a single box litter
- Then when he is used to it, we add the hat (lid)
- And after learning it, we will add the door
The scratching post :
A kitten will use a scratching post to satisfy their stretching instinct and to “clean” their claws. It should be sturdy and tall enough for your cat to stretch out as an adult.
Grooming :
Brush your cat once a week and more often during shedding to remove dead hair and accelerate hair regrowth.
For the bath, it is important not to use ‘human’ shampoos which could alter the protective layer on your companion’s skin. Buy products only and specially designed for cats.
You can also hire a groomer.
Hygiene and parasites :
Protection against fleas will be provided on the advice of your veterinarian for the most suitable product (eg Advant cat, bravecto), but it is recommended to avoid “anti-tick” collars whose effectiveness is limited and which breaks the hair at the neckline, if ingested it is toxic.
If necessary, regularly clean the ears with a cotton ball soaked in ear milk sold in supermarkets, pet stores or from your veterinarian. For the eyes used a compress with a suitable product.
Insurance:
Check with your insurance company to check that your kitten is included in your home and civil liability contract.
Health Insurance :
Also find out about mutual health insurance which will cover certain healthcare expenses.
We advise you to consult our partner “Animasolution”, they are experts in the field and they have several formulas to offer concerning the guarantees of accident, illness, payment of veterinary expenses, etc…
https://www.anima-solutions.fr
Do not hesitate to contact us for any questions or other information.