Table of Contents
Introduction
If you’re thinking about adopting a kitten, you’ll want to make sure that it’s the right decision for both of you. Kittens are amazing little furry creatures that can bring so much joy into your life; however, they also require a lot of time and effort. If you’re not prepared for that commitment, don’t adopt! The following guide will help answer any questions you might have about adopting a new feline friend:
Choose a healthy kitten.
When choosing your kitten, it is important to look for one that is alert and active. Kittens who are lethargic or listless may have a serious illness, such as feline distemper or feline leukemia. Avoid these kittens because they cannot be vaccinated against these illnesses until they are over three months old.
If you see any runny eyes or nose in the litter, don’t choose that kitten—it may have upper respiratory infections like feline herpesvirus (also known as feline rhinotracheitis) or chlamydia. You should avoid kittens who are sneezing or coughing as well; these are signs of upper respiratory infections like URI. Finally, if you see any diarrhea from the litter—especially bloody diarrhea—you must avoid this kitten! Diarrhea can indicate deadly parasites called coccidia which can cause severe malabsorption issues if left untreated for long periods of time
Make sure your home is kitten-safe.
Adopting a kitten is an exciting new chapter in your life, but it’s important to make sure that your home is safe for the little furball. If you’ve ever had a cat before, then you know that they can get into all sorts of mischief. To make sure that your home is safe for the kitten (and vice versa), here are some simple steps:
- Use a baby gate to keep the kitten in one room while they learn what is and isn’t off limits. You don’t want them getting into anything dangerous or toxic!
- Install a litter box in a quiet space near where they eat and sleep. Make sure this area has plenty of light during waking hours so they can see where they’re going when relieving themselves at night!
- If possible, consider keeping their food bowl close enough so that they can go back up if need be – especially if it’s been awhile since eating last time around! This way there won’t be any accidents on top of everything else…
Get the correct supplies for your kitten.
When you bring home your new kitten, you’ll want to make sure they have everything they need. You don’t want to be running out to grab supplies at random intervals as your kitten grows older. Here are the basics:
- Litter box
- Cat carrier
- Cat bed (or inside the carrier)
- Scratching post or board (with catnip) – This will help prevent damage to your furniture and carpeting! Also makes it more fun for your kitty by giving them something they can play with while they scratch their nails down it 🙂 * Brush – Keeps their fur soft and shiny! * Food dish and water bowl – Good quality ones if possible because kittens are messy eaters! * Collar and tag – If not microchipped already, this is important so other people know who owns them in case anything happens when you’re not around.
Stock up on food and litter for your new friend.
When deciding on how much food, litter, and treats to get, remember that kittens go through a lot of food in their first few weeks. They’ll grow out of this eventually but for now it’s best to get extra supplies so that you don’t run out before your kitten has fully adjusted to her new home.
Kitten food is available at most pet stores, but if you have a hard time finding the brand of cat litter or wet food your kitten prefers (which can happen if you adopt from a shelter), it’s always good to buy an extra bag or two just in case. A quick trip back later will save you from having a grumpy kitty on your hands later on!
Make an appointment with a vet for a few days after adoption.
With your new kitten in tow, it’s time to visit the veterinarian. They’ll take a look at your new pet and give you advice on how to care for them, what vaccinations they’ll need (if any), and any other preventative measures that should be taken.
The vet will also check for parasites or other diseases that could have affected Kitty’s health before finding her forever home with you. If there are any problems with their health or behavior, it’s better to catch them now than later when things could get worse. Finally, if your kitten needs special food or prescription medicine (which isn’t uncommon), the vet will let you know what kind of diet is best suited for her specific needs so that she stays healthy every day of life!
Set up the food, water, and litter box in a quiet space.
You will want to set up the food and water in a quiet space. This can be on a countertop or table, but make sure it is not near the litter box. The same goes for your kitten’s new bedding—you don’t want them waking each other up at night!
Also, since you’ll need to keep an eye on how much your kitten eats as they grow, make sure that the food bowl can be easily accessed by you at all times. In order for this to work properly, there should be no obstructions between you and where you want to feed your kitten (for example, if there are cabinets in front of where you want them eating).
Find or make a comfortable bed for your kitten.
Your kitten’s bed should be soft, comfortable, and large enough for the kitten to fit in. The bed should also be placed in a quiet place that is easy to clean. If you are adopting a litter of kittens, it might be helpful to have multiple beds available so that they can get used to having each other around before being separated from one another.
In addition to providing your new pet with a comfortable place to sleep, it’s important that your new pet has access to clean drinking water at all times. Kittens are much more susceptible than adult cats when it comes to dehydration or heat stroke during hot weather months because their bodies aren’t yet fully developed enough for them cope with extreme temperatures easily on their own outside of their mother’s body temperature which would normally keep them comfortable inside her womb during gestation period (from conception until birth).
Get ready to play with your kitten when you bring them home.
When you bring your kitten home, don’t be surprised if they take a few days to warm up. Kittens are not born social butterflies, so expect them to be shy and hide out in an unfamiliar place (like under the bed). Play with your kitten every day! It’s important for their physical health because it helps strengthen muscles and bones. It’s also important for their mental health because it teaches them how to interact with humans and other pets. But even more importantly: playtime is when kittens learn about hunting prey! Many kittens learn how to stalk and kill their prey through interactive playtime with human family members or other animals, so don’t be afraid of getting down on all fours like a cat yourself!
Establish clear expectations early on; kittens are very smart!
Kittens are very smart, so it’s important to be consistent. Don’t change your mind halfway through the time you’ve set aside for training a kitten. They have very short attention spans, so if you’re not consistent in following through with rules and expectations, they’ll lose interest in whatever it is you’re trying to teach them.
Plan ahead for unexpected expenses like veterinary care and pet insurance.
You should also be prepared to spend extra money on unexpected vet bills, food, toys and other supplies. You’ll need a crate for your kitten and some sort of litter box (we recommend the CatGenie Self-Washing Cat Box). If you’re adopting a kitten that is fully grown, he or she may already have some older medical conditions that require treatment. If not, there are plenty of things left over from their youth that could come up later—like vaccinations or parasite prevention. Be sure to discuss all these items with your vet before committing to adoption!
Bringing a kitten into your home can be an adventure, but it’s important to be prepared so that both you and the kitten can have a great time together!
Bringing a kitten into your home can be an adventure, but it’s important to be prepared so that both you and the kitten can have a great time together!
A cat is a huge responsibility. Cats are very smart animals, and they need to be trained just like dogs. They can be trained using treats and rewards, but they also need plenty of attention from you so that they don’t get bored or destructive while you’re away. It’s very important that if you’re going to get a kitten that you know how much time is required before making any commitments.
Conclusion
I hope you found this guide useful. It’s great to have some tips and tricks for finding the perfect kitten for your family, but it’s even better to know that you can ask questions! If you have any other questions about adopting a kitten, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are happy to help—just email us at [email protected]