| Whether you are planning on adopting a kitten or | | | | hopefully wear them out once in a while. A |
| found one on your doorstep this morning having a | | | | scratching post whether homemade or store |
| new kitten can be a fun and challenging | | | | bought will provide a legitimate place to scratch. |
| experience. Kittens are cute, soft and so much | | | | Praising them when they scratch the right place |
| fun to watch, but they are babies and as babies | | | | can lead to good scratching habits in the long run. |
| they have needs. With knowledge and preparation | | | | A SAFE PLACE FOR KITTY |
| bringing home your baby kitty can be a great | | | | The next important thing to give your new kitten |
| experience for you both. | | | | is a safe place for them to retreat. This is |
| YOUR KITTEN'S BASIC NEEDS | | | | especially important if there are young children in |
| Your kitten's top needs are food, water and a | | | | the house. This can be a small bedroom, |
| litter box. Kittens need higher levels of protein | | | | bathroom or closet. This will give your kitten the |
| than adult cats so they will need food formulated | | | | security it needs to feel safe while adjusting to a |
| for kittens for their first year. Water is easy just | | | | new home. |
| raid your cupboard for a small shallow dish, until | | | | KITTEN-PROOF YOUR HOME |
| you can find a more suitable one at a pet store | | | | Remember kittens are just like little kids they |
| or online. Next your kitten will need a litter box, a | | | | love to explore and they frequently get into |
| short one is a good idea to start with. I also | | | | things that could hurt them. Be sure to kitten |
| strongly recommend avoiding clumping kitty litter | | | | proof your home by making sure that there are |
| because kittens can ingest it by licking or | | | | no long electrical cords that your kitten could get |
| otherwise and it is designed to become a hard | | | | tangled up in. Also watch that they don't chew on |
| lump. Unfortunately, there have been reports of | | | | electrical cords either and keep the toilet lid down, |
| kittens ingesting clumping kitty litter and having | | | | a small kitten may not be able to get out if it falls |
| symptoms such as vomiting a yellow frothy | | | | in. Don't leave small items lying around such as |
| substance, diarrhea and even death. Look for | | | | broken balloons and game pieces. It's also a good |
| non-clumping clay or biodegradable kitty litters | | | | idea to put away precious heirlooms for a while |
| such as those made from recycled newspapers, | | | | until your kitten settles in and learns the rules. |
| corn or wheat. There may be other organic | | | | Also make sure you put up houseplants, as some |
| choices available at your local pet store as well. | | | | may be poisonous and secure mini blind cords, as |
| Most kittens know by instinct what to do when | | | | your kitten could get caught in them and be |
| given a litter box full of litter as a last resort you | | | | strangled. |
| may shred unprinted newsprint for your kitten to | | | | LOVE AND PATIENCE |
| use. | | | | Now you and your new kitten can settle in and |
| MAKE YOUR KITTEN FEEL AT HOME | | | | get to know each other. It's an exciting day for |
| Another nice item for your new kitten is a soft | | | | everyone so many new things to see and do, but |
| warm bed, this too can be homemade or store | | | | remember to take your new kitten to the vet as |
| bought. Kitten love to be in enclosed places like | | | | soon as possible to get his or her vaccinations. |
| baskets or boxes. To help them transition more | | | | One of the first things you will need to do is take |
| easily include a soft item from their former home. | | | | your kitten to the safe area and show him/ her |
| You will probably find that their favorite place is | | | | their bed and where the litter box is. Then give |
| lying on a shirt that has your scent. Cats originally | | | | them some time to explore and become familiar |
| came from a pride and like lying together in a | | | | with their surroundings. Be sure to closely observe |
| group so a piece of clothing with your scent | | | | small children when they interact with the kitten. |
| makes them feel like they are in a group. This is | | | | Teach them how to properly hold and pet the |
| especially important for a kitten that has just | | | | kitten for both their and the kitten's safety. |
| been removed from its family unit. | | | | Kittens have very sharp claws and haven't |
| PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT | | | | learned proper manners yet, so you and your |
| Toys and a scratching post are not necessities | | | | children may get scratched a lot at first. Be sure |
| but if you like your curtains, couch and legs, I | | | | to wash any scratches with soap and water and |
| highly recommend them. Kittens are very curious | | | | put first aid antibiotic on them right away. Children |
| and have a lot of energy to burn they are building | | | | need to learn when to leave the kitten alone such |
| their hunting and climbing skills. By providing safe | | | | as when they are sleeping or eating. |
| outlets for your kitten to explore you will lesson | | | | Bringing home a new kitten is a wonderful |
| the chance of them tearing up your possessions | | | | experience. Knowledge and planning will make your |
| or possibly getting hurt. Toys such a fury mice | | | | kitten's transition into your life smoother and even |
| give them something to chase, catch and carry. | | | | more enjoyable. |
| Interactive toys will keep them busy and | | | | |