Congratulations on adopting a new kitten! Tiny felines are cute, cuddly, and extremely energetic, and they also require a lot of preparation. Read our Stanton Pet Hospital team’s kitten preparation guide to learn everything you need to know to help ensure your kitten settles successfully into your home.

Ensure you are ready for a kitten

Cats have a reputation for being low maintenance compared with dogs, but they still require attention and care. You must feed your cat two or three times per day, clean and replenish their water bowls daily, and scoop their litter boxes at least twice per day. In addition, you need to interact with your cat daily to help strengthen your pet-owner bond and to help keep them mentally stimulated and physically active. Before adopting a kitten, ensure you have the time to care for your furry feline friend. You should also consider your finances. Cat ownership’s annual cost is between $325 and $800, and when you consider that cats can live 17 years or longer, you need to be prepared financially before you welcome a new kitten. 

Prepare your home before your kitten arrives

No matter how small your home, the area seems humongous to a tiny kitten. To help your kitten feel secure and safe immediately, make these necessary preparations before they arrive at your home:

  • Gather appropriate kitten supplies — Kittens may be small, but they need a lot of supplies. Ensure you have everything your tiny feline needs, including:
    • Sturdy, well-ventilated cat carrier
    • High-quality kitten food (If possible, provide the same food they have been eating at their current home.)
    • Food and water bowls, preferably glass or ceramic
    • Low-sided litter boxes and litter, preferably unscented and clumpable 
    • Scratching posts
    • Interactive toys (e.g., wand-style toy, laser pointer)
  • Kitten-proof your home — Kittens are curious and mischievous. To prevent your tiny whiskered pal from getting into trouble, you need to kitten-proof your home by doing the following:
    • Block access to small hiding places where your kitten could get stuck.
    • Ensure all your houseplants are safe for your kitten. Lilies are extremely toxic to cats.
    • Remove any indigestible objects, such as string, shoelaces, and thread, that your kitten could swallow. These objects can cause a linear foreign body obstruction, which often requires surgical removal.
    • Cover or hide electrical cords, so your kitten isn’t tempted to chew them.

Bring home your kitten safely

This is likely your kitten’s first time away from their mother and siblings and their first time in a vehicle. Their sad meowing may cause you to want to cuddle and comfort them on the drive home, but this is dangerous for you and your kitten. Ensure your tiny feline remains confined to their carrier during the trip home, and place the carrier in a spot, such as on the floor behind the passenger seat, where it won’t slip or fall over.

Avoid overwhelming your kitten

Give your kitten time to acclimate to their new home by confining them to a small room for the first week or two. Having the run of your entire house may be too overwhelming for your tiny feline friend. Ensure they have all the necessary resources, such as bedding, food, water, litter box, and a scratching post, and let them get used to the new environment. Spend as much time as possible with your kitten during the first few weeks, sitting with them while they eat, petting them when they allow, and playing with them using an interactive toy. 

Socialize your kitten

Socialization is a process that involves exposing your kitten to various sights, sounds, and experiences. The goal is to make each new experience positive by offering treats or pets. For example, run the vacuum cleaner and then give your kitten a high-value treat. You should also get your kitten used to being handled, which will make at-home care and veterinary visits easier. Acclimate your kitten to being handled by doing the following:

  • Touch your kitten’s feet, and extend their claws to help facilitate nail trimming. 
  • Open their mouth and touch their teeth to help make brushing their teeth easier. 
  • Look in your kitten’s ears and touch their belly, so your kitten learns to tolerate being handled during their veterinary visits.

Provide appropriate resources for your kitten

Many cat owners struggle with issues such as inappropriate elimination and destructive scratching. However, providing the appropriate resources for your kitten can help prevent these problems. Considerations include:

  • Litter boxes — No one wants to deal with litter box issues. To help ensure your kitten is pleased with their litter box setup, follow these tips:
    • Scoop your kitten’s litter box at least twice per day and replace the litter at least once per week.
    • Place the litter box in a convenient area where your kitten won’t be disturbed.
    • Use unscented, clumpable litter, and only fill the box about one to two inches.
    • Provide at least one litter box for every cat in your home, plus one extra.
    • Avoid using litter box liners or covers.
  • Scratching posts — Cats need to scratch, and you need to teach your feline friend to scratch appropriate surfaces. To help prevent your cat from scratching destructively, follow these tips:
    • Place numerous scratching posts throughout your home, especially in areas where your kitten likes to rest and play.
    • Provide many scratching post options, including different orientations (e.g., vertical, horizontal) and different surfaces (e.g., cardboard, sisal, wood).
    • Place toys and catnip on scratching posts to help attract your kitten’s attention. Give your kitten a treat when they use the scratching post to reward appropriate scratching behavior.

Once your kitten settles in, contact our Stanton Pet Hospital team, so we can meet your tiny feline friend and ensure they receive necessary wellness and preventive care.