Bringing Your Kitten Home

 

Easing The Transition

Homesickness

Feeding bowls

Tips for successful pet introductions

Cat Proofing Your Home

Introduce your cat to your home gradually by following these helpful hints:

• For the first day or two, keep your kitten confined to one room with a litter box, food and water. Let her become comfortable in this room before introducing her to the rest of the house.
  
  
• After your new kitten is relaxed and acclimated, allow her to explore and roam the rest of the house.

When you bring your new kitten home, at first she may miss her family. She may wake up and meow during the night. Pick her up and comfort her by speaking soothingly and stroking her gently. If this doesn't calm her, try these two tips:

• Put a ticking clock by her bed to remind her of her mother's heartbeat.
  
  
• Put a hot-water bottle (37 - 39 degrees Celsius) wrapped in a towel near her. This will remind her of her siblings.

• Each pet in your house should have his or her own food and water bowl.
  
  
• Choose bowls designed especially for cats - shallow, broad-based metal or ceramic bowls.

• If one cat shows hostility toward another during the initial introductions, don't punish him; that action could backfire. Instead, start the whole process over again after separating the animals for a day or two.
  
  
• Respect each pet's territorial rights. If your older cat has claimed the living-room sofa as her favourite spot, allow her to keep that space as her own domain. Help your new kitten find a different spot she can call her own.
  
  
• Establish separate but equal relationships with each pet to prevent jealousy.
  
  
• If you have a dog, keep him on a leash at first, and monitor him closely.. In the beginning, don't let him chase or bother your new kitten, and don't make your kitten remain in the same room with the dog if she's uncomfortable or scared.
  
  
• Buy separate food and water bowls.
  
  
• Give each cat a separate litter box; this will help them resist the temptation to find a private privy in an inappropriate place.

Your cat's inquisitive nature can be dangerous. Follow these recommendations:

• Keep all medicines and household cleaning agents locked up.
  
  
• Shut the bathroom door when you run water in a bathtub.
  
  
• Keep stringy material away from your kitten, except under your supervision. Items like string, wool, fishing line and thread attached to a needle can be lethal if swallowed.
  
  
• Close toilet lids, and make sure the fireplace is tightly screened.
  
  
• Secure unscreened windows. Cats may jump out of open windows. Contrary to popular belief, cats don't always land on their feet when they fall and can be seriously injured.
  
  
• Close all garage and appliance doors. A warm tumble dryer or a car engine may entice cats in search of a warm place to nap.
  
• Immediately place opened tin or aluminium cans behind closed doors or in containers with secure lids. The edges of these cans are extremely sharp and can cut or sever your cat's tongue.
  
  
• If possible, replace the antifreeze in your car with a non-toxic brand. Antifreeze tastes sweet to pets and is the most common feline poison. Ingesting just a teaspoon of antifreeze can cause kidney failure. Keep all other chemicals in the garage out of reach.
  
  
• Set rodent traps out of a cat's reach.
  
  
• Keep easily swallowed small items such as balls, bits of fabric and baby- bottle nipples away from your kitten.