 BRINGING A NEW KITTEN HOME
A new kitten is a joy, and the source of endless entertainment. A few simple things will make the adjustment of the kitten in the new house much easier.
The First Week:
We suggest confining the new kitten to a single room, where the cat can get used to the smell of the house and its inhabitants and learn litter box and feeding routines. Roaming all over the house can be scary and intimidating to the new kitten, and cats do not soon forget unpleasant experiences.
THE LITTER BOX:
If a kitten is offered a litter box with an attractive type of cat litter, most kittens will automatically use it. If the kitten does not use the box, DO NOT PUNISH THE CAT! It simply will not work. The trick is to find out what the cat does want to use for litter. Most cats prefer the sand-like "clumping" litter, or a good quality dust-free clay litter, such as Tidy Cat. Occasional cats will prefer litter made of recycled newspaper or other material, but the cat's preferences must be met you can't force the cat to use a litter that it doesn't like. The cat box should be placed in an area where there is not a lot of traffic, and if there are other cats in the house the box location should have a convenient "escape route" where the kitten can exit in another direction of another cat approaches.
INTRODUCING A NEW CAT TO OTHER CATS IN THE HOUSE:
In general, the resident cat(s) may resent the arrival of a newcomer. This reaction is normal for up to a month, but most cats will adjust within the first few weeks. One of the reasons we recommend keeping the new kitten or cat in a separate closed room for the first week is that it allows the other cats to get used to the smell and sound of the newcomer without actually coming in contact with the new cat. If the old cat is nervous, the first meeting is likely to result in hissing and spitting, and remember: Cats carry grudges! If the cats are not allowed to come in direct contact, the anxiety of the resident cat is replaced by curiosity: "Just who is this that I hear and smell on the other side of the door?" Then the introductions proceed much more smoothly after a week of non-contact adjustment.
KITTEN-PROOFING THE HOUSE:
Kittens will naturally take the house apart, chasing "dust bunnies" under the bed, climbing curtains, and chewing on the house plants. Check for hazards, such as poisonous house plants or attractive string-like objects that the cat might swallow.
SOCIALIZING THE KITTEN:
While we suggest isolating the kitten from other cats during the first week, contact with humans is especially important. Cats will only become loving human-oriented pets if they experience gentle human contact before 8 weeks of age. This early socialization is extremely important. Do not encourage rough play using your hands, however. Kitty toys or a "kitty tease" (a light fiberglass pole with a bit of fabric or feathers on the end) makes and ideal outlet for excess kitten energy.
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