Tips and Tricks for helping with your kittens transition into your home

As with people, all animals are different and have different needs and behaviors. Some are ingrained in cats such as the instinct to hunt. Meeting their needs where they are makes for a smooth and happy transition. We have compiled some the best-known ways to provide a wonderous transition time for both you and your new kitten!

The First Few Days and Nights

Have a room set up just for your new kitten if possible. Provide them with a cozy carrier as a den and soft fleecy blanket inside (preferably with his/her siblings scents on it.  You can ask your foster to do this for you at the adoption). A snuggle toy is also comforting to kittens. There are some available at the pet store or on Amazon that purr which comforts and relaxes your new kitten.

Also provide a litter box with non clumping unscented litter in a box that is not too high on the sides so they can easily get in and out. The box should also be wide enough that the kitten does not step in their own feces and has a clean area to go. The litter box should be cleaned at least once a day and completely discarded and changed at least once a week. Guidelines for litter include using non clumping for the first 6 months due to the fact that kittens may eat it or lick it off their paws. Clumping litter sticks together and can cause a choking hazard for little ones.

Set-up a bowl of clean water and dry kitten food in the room to have available at all times. Keeping the water fresh entices the little ones to drink more water which is often a problem for kitten and cats.

Your kitten may meow quite a bit the first few nights as they are missing their siblings and fosters. Others may hide and only come out to feed and use the litter. Try to keep in simple and let the kitten come to you when she is ready.

Regular Feeding of Wet Food

Most vets will recommend feeding your kittens and cats wet food along with kibble. Cats and kittens need lots of fluids and feeding some wet food provides one source of liquid. Kittens can be weaned off wet food if you and your vet prefer a dry diet.

The kitten’s foster will provide you with a feeding instructions and what kind of food the kitten has been eating at the foster home. Providing the same food will help in mental transitioning as well as reducing the chance of the kitten getting diarrhea or throwing up the new food.

Tricks for non-painful Kitten Interactions!

Play with, snuggle your new kitten as often as you can. They are used to being with their siblings and playing for most of their waking time. Do not use your hands OR feet as play toys. Although it might be cute and not hurt to much when they are young it is not much fun when they get big and attack your feet as you walk in the room.

Fishing or “pole” toys are really good for playful interactions with your kitten. Remember to let her catch it sometimes so she feels like she has accomplished her goal. Play mice and balls are also good choices. You could throw it for your kitten and watch her run to pounce on it!

Scratching the Furniture

Cats need to scratch for many reasons so providing outlets for this behavior is key to successfully training your cats not to ruin your furniture. Training should have already been started but its not always the case when you adopt an older kitten. One of the best items on the market for scratching is the Incline Cardboard Scratcher.  These are available at most pet stores or department stores. Put these in many rooms of the house especially where she tends to scratch.

To train the kitten, watch for her to approach the furniture and start to scratch it. Immediately go to her and say “no” in calm but firm voice. Pick her up and take her to the nearest scratcher. Put her down on it and gently move her legs like she is scratching it and say “good girl.” When she goes to the scratcher herself and uses it really praise her for doing so. This really works but you have to be consistent and on top of it. Everyone in the household should be doing the same correction.

Keeping Your Kitten Clean

Cats can groom themselves very well and do not require bathing unless they like it! However, kittens can get messy very quickly and might require a quick bath. This can be done as often as necessary. When the kitten is able to eat without getting messy and is able to groom herself completely these bathes will no longer be necessary.

Have all your supplies ready to go before starting. You will need baby shampoo or Blue Dawn Dishwashing soap, a very small piece of sponge, a small kitten brush and a warm bath towel (if you have access to the dryer you can warm it).

Start the water in the sink and make sure its just warm and feels good on your wrist.

Hold the kitten in the palm of your hand and move her rear end under the water and move up to the neck but not going past it. Turn her over and do the same on the belly side being careful not to wet her head or face. Add a drop of the soap and rub it in all over her then rinse her off good.

Take the sponge and using water only gently clean her face and eyes and the back of her head.

Move quickly so she does not get to cold.

Wrap her in the towel and vigorously rub her dry as much as you can. You may need to change to a dry towel during this procedure.

Using the brush, stroke her gently in the opposite direction in which the fur grows. This helps to dry the fur and feels good to her too. Make sure she is as dry as possible before you let her go.

Introducing Other Pets

Let them get to know each other under the door first for a few days. Open the door and let one of the more friendly household pets meet the new comer face to face. Slowly introduce the other animals in the same manner.

Another option is:  after a couple of days bring the new kitten into the room in a carrier so she has a safe space while the others check her out and they begin to interact. Open the door once you feel there is no threat to her and let her come out on her own time.

Safety Tips

Keep toilet seats down                                                                                                                                             

Other Tip and Tricks

Warming a kitten’s food makes it more palatable

Remember to have fun and that these are only guidelines. You may have experience and found other ways that work for you.