Preparing your home
Bringing your new kitten/ cat home for the first time is incredibly exciting. We must however take into consideration how stressful this transition can be for them. It is a huge change for kittens/ cats to leave their mother, siblings or usual surroundings so we must try and make the move as stress free as possible. It’s important to be prepared before they come home. Setting up pheromone diffusers around the home one week in advance will help to ensure a successful transition.
One room should be set up with comfy beds and also safe hides. These can be made out of cardboard boxes with a small hole cut out – they need not be expensive. The kitten/ cat should have access to food and water. These bowls should be separate from one another, as many cats do not like to eat next to their water source. Set up a number of water stations at various heights until you learn what your new kitten/ cat prefers.
Check with the breeder, previous owner or rescue centre what food your kitten/ cat has previously been fed so you can have this prepared prior to them coming home. This ensures that they are familiar with the food and prevents any gastric upsets whilst settling into their new home. Do however ensure the food is of good quality and suitable for their age.
Every kitten/ cat should have one litter tray plus an extra one. This avoids unwanted elimination around the home and keeps them feeling safe and content. Cats are extremely clean animals and rarely soil in the same litter twice. Having an extra litter tray gives your cat a second option should they need it until you’re able to clean up, saving them from unnecessary stress.
They should have access to a suitable scratch post. Scratching is a normal feline behaviour to mark territory and should be encouraged in a safe way, avoiding furniture damage.
All kittens and cats need physical and mental exercise to stay happy and healthy so providing them with appropriate toys is vital. Allowing them to demonstrate normal predatory behaviours helps avoid those unwanted ones. Interactive toys and flirt poles are great outlets for predatory play.
