Getting ready to welcome a new kitten into your home is an exciting time, but it can also be a slightly stressful one. Although undeniably cute and cuddly, a kitten can be a lot of work, especially in the early days, and you need to make sure you are prepared for this.
From what supplies you need to buy to how to set up a safe space in your home, read on to find out exactly what you need to do to get ready for a new kitten.
Getting the essentials
Although not quite the same as preparing for the arrival of a new baby, there are still quite a few things that you need to buy before you bring your new kitten home. These include:
- A food bowl
- A water bowl
- A soft comfortable bet and blanket
- A litter tray and cat litter
- A scratching post
- A cat grooming brush
- New kitten toys
You may be surprised at just how much cat litter you get through, especially in the first few months, so it can be a good idea to subscribe to a cat litter delivery service so that you are never caught short.
Setting up a safe space
Your new kitten must have a safe, warm, and comfortable space to relax and sleep as they adjust to their new surroundings. Pick a quiet space and make sure you secure any rooms in your home that you don’t want your new kitten to have access to.
When setting up a space for your kitten, you need to ensure that they have easy access to their food and water bowls and their litter tray or box. You may also want to give them access to a high spot, as kittens love to climb and get up high.
Organizing transportation
If you are picking up your kitten from somewhere else, you will need to invest in a cat carrier, which needs to be secured in your car with a seatbelt.
Most kittens do not like being in a carrier, so it can be a good idea to place a soft blanket or an item from their home that they are familiar with to help keep them calm. Make sure that you travel straight home with your new kitten and do not leave them unattended in the car.
Making your kitten feel secure
Once you and your new kitten are safely home, it is now time to get them used to their new surroundings. When you first let them out of the carrier, give them the freedom to explore a little on their own before you start to introduce them to your family or any existing pets.
It can be a good idea to limit them to one or two rooms at the beginning so that they don’t feel overwhelmed and keep visitors to a minimum. As they become more confident, you can let them explore the rest of your home and meet any other pets you already have.
