Mihajlo Ckovric / Stocksy
Congratulations — you’re the proud father or mother of a newly adopted cat or kitten or are about to be one! As excited as you could be to convey your new cat or kitten dwelling, it’s vital to do not forget that their first day of their new dwelling is perhaps complicated or tense for them. The excellent news is there may be a lot you are able to do to make their transition into your loved ones as seamless as attainable. Right here’s what to anticipate and how you can put together, so that you might be able to make the primary day the perfect it may be and get the remainder of your life collectively off to a very good begin.
How ought to I put together my dwelling for my new cat or kitten?
Before everything, earlier than bringing your new cat or kitten dwelling, you must cat-proof your private home. Everyone knows how curious cats might be, and although they will typically seem invincible (and might imagine they’re), it’s vital to verify their setting is secure. Listed here are just a few important precautions to take:
- Preserve breakable objects out of attain
- Anchor unsteady or top-heavy furnishings to the ground
- Cowl electrical cords, cables, and cellphone chargers
- Be sure your home windows are safe
- Do away with any toxic crops
- Shut or lock kitchen cupboards
- Be sure family cleaners are inaccessible
- Cover sharp objects
Fundamental Provides
Earlier than your new member of the family arrives dwelling, you’ll additionally need to top off on the next provides:
Starter Room
When you’ve cat-proofed your private home and gone on a procuring spree, there’s yet one more vital step to take: prep a starter room. Many kittens and cats are scared of their new setting at first and should even be inclined to cover. Placing them in a starter room — like a small bed room, large ethereal rest room, or one other room with a door you possibly can shut — will assist your new kitten or cat get used to that smaller house earlier than being confronted with the bigger setting of your total dwelling. Having this private house can go an extended method to serving to them acclimate.
When you select which room would be the starter room, put all of your cat’s provides in there, together with a litter field full of litter. Test to verify home windows and every other attainable escape routes (like unfastened vent grills) are securely closed. Unplug or securely tape down any electrical cords, and take away any small ingestible or breakable objects — faux you’re childproofing for a two-year-old human.
In case you’re bringing dwelling a kitten particularly, you’re in all probability questioning the place a kitten ought to sleep at evening and stay secure. The starter room is the proper answer for what to do with a kitten at evening.
This starter room will even be very helpful if you have already got a pet (or pets) at dwelling. When introducing new pets — particularly a brand new cat to a resident canine — you’ll need to separate them initially not solely to offer your cat house to regulate however to offer your resident pet time to get used to their new member of the family’s presence at a distance. You possibly can slowly introduce your new cat to your resident pet by following these steps.
How can I assist my new cat or kitten really feel comfy and secure?
The first few days together with your new cat or kitten might be thrilling, however they could even be difficult, as your new member of the family could not instantly really feel comfy of their new setting. It’s vital to offer your new pet house and do not forget that all cats are totally different: the tempo at which they’ll develop comfy of their new dwelling will fluctuate.
There are some things you are able to do, nonetheless, to make them really feel as secure as attainable.
What ought to I do on my first day with a brand new kitten or cat?
While you convey your new cat dwelling, shut every other pets (and people) in a separate room, and carry your new cat into the starter room whereas they’re nonetheless of their cat service. Set the service down, and open the service’s door. Permit the cat to return out (or not) at their very own pace. Go away the service within the room with them in the event that they need to cover in it.
Be affected person and understanding
Take it gradual. Some cats will stroll round and need to discover instantly, however extra sometimes, cats will take between one to 2 days to a few weeks to regulate to a brand new dwelling. That is completely regular, and you must give your cat house — however be certain they’re consuming and utilizing the litter field every day, even when they’re hiding.
Generally Requested Questions
How typically ought to I play and work together with my new cat or kitten?
Each cat and kitten is totally different, and the quantity of playtime they’ll want will fluctuate, however they are going to typically want two to a few play periods a day, if no more. These periods might be brief bursts; offering your cat or kitten with toys can even go a great distance towards participating them. Kittens might have extra playtime than cats, however grownup cats nonetheless want playtime.
When it comes to different individuals taking part in or interacting together with your new cat or kitten: keep away from associates assembly your new cat till they’re relaxed and completely happy of their new dwelling. As soon as your cat is acclimated, nonetheless, socialization is vital, particularly for kittens. Exposing your kitten or cat to new individuals and environments may help them lower worry and stress in new conditions sooner or later.
When ought to I schedule a go to to the veterinarian for my new cat or kitten?
Inside the first week or so, it would be best to convey your cat to a veterinarian for an examination, to get preventatives and vaccines, and to probably be spayed or neutered. In case your cat has simply been spayed or neutered earlier than you introduced them dwelling, comply with your vet’s directions on monitoring their habits and well being.
What ought to I do on my first day with a brand new cat or kitten?
Take it gradual. Some cats will stroll round and discover instantly, however sometimes cats will take between one to 2 days to a few weeks to regulate to a brand new dwelling.
How ought to I put together my dwelling for my new cat or kitten?
Put together your private home for a brand new cat or kitten by cat-proofing your private home, stocking up on provides, and establishing a starter room.
What ought to I feed my new cat or kitten on their first day?
You possibly can determine what meals to purchase your new cat or kitten primarily based on that meals’s diet and any particular wants your new kitten or cat could have.
How can I assist my new cat or kitten really feel comfy and secure?
While you convey your new cat dwelling, carry them right into a starter room, separate from different people and pets. Give them time and house to acclimate to their new setting.
When ought to I schedule a go to to the veterinarian for my new cat or kitten?
Schedule a go to to the veterinarian to your new cat or kitten throughout the first week of them coming dwelling.
How can I assist my new cat or kitten alter to their new sleeping preparations?
Conserving your new cat or kitten in a starter room with a cushty mattress or blanket will assist them alter to their new sleeping preparations.
How typically ought to I play and work together with my new cat or kitten?
Each cat and kitten is totally different, and the quantity of playtime they’ll want will fluctuate, however they are going to typically want two to a few play periods a day.
