Bringing Home Your New Kitten

January 1st, 2019

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If you are contemplating adopting a kitten, or you have already welcomed your fluffy feline into your family, bringing a new kitty home is an exciting experience. The first month of your kitten’s arrival is full of changes, but there are a few things you can do to make the transition a purr-fectly enjoyable one.

Before Your Feline Friend Comes Home     

There are numerous ways to prepare yourself and to help your kitten transition into your home as smoothly as possible. Cats often fear unknown spaces, so provide your furry friend with a smaller area to call home for the first few days or weeks. That will ensure your kitty feels comfortable while getting acclimated with the unfamiliar space. A bathroom works well as a haven but make sure you keep the toilet seat down. 

Prepare some cozy sleeping areas, and place food, water, and a litter box in a safe, accessible place. A scratching post designed to wear down your cat’s claws will also help entertain your furry friend. Slowly introduce your cat to new spaces in your home, and before you know it, your feline companion will be comfortably roaming around.

What to Expect From Your Kitten

Your kitten is a little fur ball filled with energy and curiosity. You will need to make sure to provide adequate supervision to avoid any potential trouble that may arise. Your little bundle of joy needs lots of love and affection to ensure proper socialization. Although kittens are endearing, they can be exhausting at times. Savor this phase, as the bond the two of you create will last a lifetime!

Introducing Your Kitten to Your Children and Pets

If you have young children, you may want to avoid bringing home a tiny kitten, because kids are often rough without realizing it. Your older children can learn how to handle your new little kitty safely. When you introduce you other furry friends to your new arrival, be sure to hold your kitten while allowing your pets to sniff gently. Keep your kitten safe at all times by monitoring any interactions and provide a safe room when left unsupervised.

When Does Your Kitten Need to See the Vet?

Bring your furry friend to see us at All About Cats Veterinary Hospital in the Kirkland area as soon as possible after adoption to check on the overall health status. It is advisable to bring your new kitty to our clinic before heading home if you have other pets, to avoid potentially spreading any illness. At the very least, keep your kitten in a separate room with no contact with any other felines in the house until your kitten is tested for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Wash your hands after touching your new kitten to avoid spreading any viruses, such as an upper respiratory virus, to other cats in your household. 

If you adopt a kitten younger than six weeks of age, be sure to let our experienced veterinarians assess the nutrition and hydration status immediately to determine whether any supplementation is necessary. We are here to answer any questions you may have about your newest feline family member!