Helping your kitten feel at home

CONGRATULATIONS!

YOU ARE NOW THE PROUD PARENT OF A KITTEN.

Here are some tips to help your kitten feel comfortable in a new home.

START SMALL:

Start your kitten in a small space such as a bathroom or laundry room. The small space allows the kitten to learn where its litter box (use non-clumping litter), food and water are, as well as allowing time to adjust to an unfamiliar place. Have the litter box, food, water, and bedding already set up for your kitten’s arrival. Food should not be near the litter box. As the kitten becomes more comfortable, certainly allow it more space to explore while continuing to remind it where its ‘room’ is.

INTRODUCTIONS:

To Children - Kittens are not like puppies. They tend to frighten easily. While the kitten is still in its ‘room’ let your child visit quietly. If you have more than one child, let them visit one at a time until the kitten seems comfortable. Do not grab the kitten, make quick movements or loud noises. All the kitten to explore your child. Remember you are much larger than the kitten.

To Dogs & Cats -

Introducing your new kitten - or even an adult cat -- to your resident animals should be done with care. Cat to cat introductions can be done by first cracking open the door to the room where your new kitten has settled and allowing them to sniff each other through the tiny space. If there is hissing and growling, close the door and wait a while, then try again. It may take several attempts before both cats calm down enough to take the next step.

When the sniff visits are going well, open the door to the kitten's room and allow him/her to come out, sniff around and meet the other cat. He/she must have access back to the safe environment of his/her room. Giving them treats or distracting them with toys can help smooth the process. This should be done for short periods of time, and then the cats separated while they process what they learned and calm down again.

Never punish a cat for aggressive behavior towards another cat, or it will reinforce the fear and stress the cat out more. What is required is patience and a watchful eye. What we perceive as fighting is their way of working out their territoriality. It is something they must go through and our intervention can prolong the process. However, if one cat is dominating the other, you may want to use a squirt bottle to separate them, or create a loud noise. Authorities claim it can take two weeks to two months for cats to work out their relationship.

Introducing your dog to a new cat or kitten takes much the same form. Let them meet through a crack in the door a couple of times. Let the cat roam the house when the dog is not there, and then return him/her to the safe haven. When introducing them face to face, the cat MUST have a safe room to escape to and the dog MUST be under control, usually on a leash. Take time and try short interactions under control. Allow the cat to decide how much it can tolerate. With an adult cat that may have had bad experiences with dogs before arriving at your home, it may take a long time to work things out. Remember, patience is everything.

DISCIPLINE:

Contrary to popular belief, kittens can be trained. Consistency is the key. Scratching is a natural behavior. Your kitten needs to scratch and climb to stay fit and healthy. Provide your kitten with a variety or horizontal and vertical objects to scratch. Use a toy or treat to lure it to the area. Most cats stretch upon waking, so place a post close to its sleeping area. Double-sided tape applied to the sofa (they do not like sticky stuff on their paws) or a squirt with a water bottle usually discourages a kitten from scratching in the wrong place, but be sure to remind the kitten of the right place.

It is all right to put a kitten back in its room during meals or particularly chaotic times. Its room has already been established as a safe place, so this is not a punishment for short periods of time.

BEDTIME:

Most foster parents put a kitten in its room at night, so it is accustomed to ‘going to bed’. While an older cat may very well sleep nicely at the end of the bed, kittens tend to engage in play, usually with your toes. If the house is quiet, it won’t feel like it’s missing out on all the fun. Cats are nocturnal. It is normal for them to be energetic at night. It is a good idea to play with your kitten before your bedtime. If it sleeps all day, it will be inclined to play at night. PLAY with your kitten. Then give it a favorite toy and say ‘good night’.

SHOTS:

Kittens are particularly vulnerable to disease because their immune systems are immature. They are protected from infection when maternal antibodies received from mom’s first milk (colostrum) are present. However, many of our foster kittens do not have their mom’s milk to protect them. By 8 weeks of age, adoption age, kittens will have had their first vet visits. The first shot they receive is referred to as FVR-CP. Cats are susceptible to upper respiratory infections because they inhale viruses and bacteria as they sniff interesting smells. These diseases are caused by Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) and Feline Calicivirus (C). Feline distemper, also called Feline Panleukopenia (P) is not related to canine distemper. Kittens also receive an FVR-CP booster at 12 weeks of age. At 4-6 months, they receive their rabies shot (RV) and a Feline Leukemia vaccine (FelV). This infectious disease compromises the cat’s immune system. It is best to speak with your vet concerning the leukemia test/vaccine. Adult cats should get yearly FVR-CP booster shots, a rabies booster and, if you choose, a Feline Leukemia booster.