.svg)
If you're thinking about bringing a new kitten into your home, congratulations! Cats are amazing creatures and can make great companions. But, having a kitten in the home means a lot of adjustments so we'll cover some of the key things you should consider and prepare.
1. Research Your Breed And Breeder
Matching the breed of cat to your lifestyle is incredibly important. Some breeds are more likely to be couch potatoes, while others are more likely to be a tiger in your home! The huge variety of cat breeds means that there’s a right breed of cat for everyone.
Adoption from a local shelter is a great option, as they will have already temperament tested the kitten to check for personality and early behaviour issues. If you are interested in getting a kitten from a breeder, you need to do your research. When speaking with the breeder, you want to make sure that you are able to meet the parents and make sure they are screened for genetic conditions (such as heart disease, joint dysplasia, etc).
2. Invest in Good Equipment
Once you get your kitten home, you will be very glad that you’ve taken the time to get the appropriate equipment for your pet.
Some crucial items are:
- cat carrier
- good quality cat food and treats
- subscription cat boxes such as meowbox will deliver unique themed toys and delicious treats to your doorstep (plus, for every box sold, meowbox donates a can of cat food, or the monetary equivalent, to a shelter kitty)
- food and water bowls
- enzymatic cleaner for accidents
- nail trimmers
- cat bed
- cat tree / vertical climbing areas
- scratching posts
- various types of hair brushes
- toothbrush and toothpaste
Here are some other fun gift ideas for your new kitty.
3. Read Up on Training Books
Books are a great way to learn about cat behaviour. They will also help you know what to expect when to bring your kitten home and get a jump start on training from the first day. Some of my favourite cat training books are:
- Decoding Your Cat: American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
- The Trainable Cat: John Bradshaw and Sarah Ellis
- Total Cat Mojo: Jackson Galaxy
4. Learn How To Play With Your Cat
Even though cats seem to be independent creatures, it is extremely important to dedicate time to play with your cat every day. Cats are super motivated by the instincts to hunt, catch, kill, and eat their prey. They need some avenue to release this energy, or they can develop some unwanted behaviours. When you play with your cat, you want to be fully engaged with them. Since cats don’t have a lot of endurance, short sessions where you play, let them rest, then go back to playing can be really effective in tiring them out!
Here is a great video from Jackson Galaxy explaining how to best play with your cat.
5. Setting Up Your Litter Box
Making sure your kitten loves the litter box will be a very important part of welcoming them into your home. There are some tips that can make this easier for you:
- You should have 1 more litter box in the home than you have cats
- Make sure you are scooping the litter box daily and cleaning the entire box out every week
- Keep your litter box in a quiet area to provide privacy
- Make sure the box is away from machines that may spontaneously make noise (washing machine, water heater, etc) that may scare your cat
- The litter box should be 1.5 times the length of your cat
- Cats generally prefer uncovered litter boxes; the hooded ones can trap odors (like going in a Porta Potty!)
Litter box setup is crucial for new kitten owners to prevent litter box issues before they begin. For additional tips, a great resource is the Ohio State University Indoor Cat Initiative.
6. Kitten Proof Your Home
Kittens can and will get into everything, so we want to make sure your home is as safe as possible. You will want to make sure any houseplants are out of reach; you may also want to check if they are potentially toxic. Electrical cords, string, and hair ties are also potential hazards for your kitten.
7. Set up an Appointment With Your Vet ASAP
You will want to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian within 48 hours of obtaining your new kitten. At this first visit, your veterinarian will be able to examine your pet and make sure there are no signs of congenital or infectious disease. Your veterinarian will discuss options for spaying or neutering, a vaccination plan, perform fecal testing to assess for intestinal parasites, test for Feline Leukemia/FIV, and start heartworm, flea, and tick prevention. They will be able to answer any questions you may have such as the recommended frequency of future vet visits.
8. Enroll in Kitten Classes
While certainly not as common as puppy classes, if kitten classes are available in your area, you should make every attempt to enroll. A kitten’s socialization period is very short, starting at 2 weeks of age and ending around 10 weeks of age, so early training is very important. These classes will help socialize your kitten, help educate you about normal feline behaviour, and train kittens to accept handling procedures (think brushing, taking pills, being restrained).
9. Choose a Good Quality Food
There are so many choices out there when it comes to cat food that it can be overwhelming! The best thing to do is to speak with your veterinarian about the right food for your kitten before purchasing.
Some key points in selecting cat food:
- AAFCO certification, ideally with a feeding trial
- should be labeled for growth since kittens have higher requirements for dietary protein, amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids for brain health
For more information, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Nutrition Committee has put together a guide on selecting pet foods.
10. Invest in Pet Insurance
Pet insurance can really help protect your pet’s future health. The benefit of enrolling in pet insurance is to ease the financial burden placed on you as a pet owner. Pet care can be expensive, but pet insurance helps protect you and your savings from new and unexpected veterinary costs, all while giving you the confidence to choose the best care possible for your pet. Get a free Furkin Pet Insurance quote in seconds.
