Preparing your home for a kitten

Before your kitten arrives, make sure you have everything you need to care for them and help them settle into their new home. Here are the essentials.

Bedding

Create a safe and cozy place for your cat to sleep. Some kittens like to change their sleeping spots regularly, so more than one bed may be necessary. You don`t need to buy anything special, the old blanket would work!

Cat carrier

Choose a stable carrier that solid with a secure closure and is large enough for when your kitten’s fully grown. We recommend having a hard plastic one, it can be placed securely in a car if you have to drive with a cat without a companion.

Food and water bowls

Most cats prefer porcelain, glass, or stainless steel bowls. Again, especially for water bowls, more than one is recommended to give your cat choice.

Kitten food, toys, and litter

Litter box

Also buy a scoop to remove droppings.

Cleaning equipment

Make sure you have non-hazardous, scentless cleaning materials on hand for any accidents.

Grooming equipment

Choose a brush or comb that’s suitable for your kitten’s coat and buy cat nail clippers too.

Hygiene equipment

Buy a toothbrush and toothpaste designed for cats. A finger toothbrush may be best.

Scratching post

Help save your furniture by satisfying your kitten’s need to scratch.

Cat tree

A tree with at least two branches will encourage exercise and mental stimulation.

information adapted from https://www.royalcanin.com/us/cats/kitten/preparing-for-your-kittens-arrival

ROOM AND BOARD

Prepare a safe room. A safe starter room for the new cat will provide the cat with the quiet and safety s/he needs while becoming familiar with the scents and sounds of your home. The starter room can be any size but must have a secure door and ceiling. We recommend a room where you will be present from time to time.
Cat-proof the safe room. Check out our Cat Safety Tips and Escape Prevention sheet for more information.
Give kitty a place to hide. New cats are often nervous and like to hide. Cardboard boxes or sheets draped over chairs make ideal hiding spots when you first bring kitty home. If you’ve adopted a shy cat, we recommend removing large items of furniture from the room, such as beds and dressers. It is much easier to interact with a cat hiding in a box than a cat hiding under a bed.
Help your new cat get to know you. Place a t-shirt or a piece of your clothing that contains your scent in the safe room.
Equip the safe room with cat food, water and litter. Place food and water on one side of the room and an open (unenclosed) litter box on the other side. Put recommended food (start with <Royal Canin mother and baby cat > or boiled shredded chicken cooked without salt) on a plate next to a kitten. Please contact me if kitten did not eat or drink overnight. Also, DO NOT let kitten explore the rest of the house if he/she did not use a litter box consistently for a few times for both pee and poo.
Give your new cat a new post. Put a new scratching post (at least 3 feet) inside the safe room. Scratching is a natural and comforting behaviour for cats. It’s also important that the scratching post is new and has not been used by other cats. Your new cat does not want to be stressed by the smells of other cats while s/he is first adapting to his or her new surroundings.
Feliway saves the day. Feliway imitates natural cat pheromones and helps a new cat feel more comfortable. Feliway comes in a spray and diffuser form, plug-in diffuser in the kitten room about 12 hours before kitten arrival .
Give your cat some cat toys for entertainment. Provide toys such as mice and balls in the safe room for when you are not around.
Spend time with your new cat. In the beginning, visit frequently for short periods of time. Visiting can mean interacting directly with the new cat in the form of play or petting, or quietly reading a book or chatting on the telephone in the same space as your new companion. The best response is to speak softly followed by giving the cat some time alone.
Transition beyond the safe room. When you and your new cat have established a trusting relationship, the cat is ready to begin exploring the house. Be sure to begin this process when you are home to supervise. Close most of the doors so the cat begins its orientation in stages. Too many new spaces at once can be stressful and frightening. If you’ve adopted a shy cat, be sure not let it in the basement for many weeks. Most basements have many hiding places—some inaccessible to humans.
Ready to explore the roost. Remember, integration into the rest of the house is dependent on the personality of your new cat (as well as your existing pets). Sometimes the integration process can begin in just two to four days; however, sometimes it is best to wait a couple weeks. Shy cats in particular may need a longer integration period.

Please note: The 5 phases detailed above offer only approximate timelines. Some integrations may proceed faster or slower and integration is dependent on the personalities of the cats involved. Remember, you know your cat(s) best. Use common sense and patience when integrating a new cat or cats.

TIPS FOR KIDS

Your house is brand new to me, so I am a bit nervous and shy.
It will take me a few days to feel comfortable, so please be patient.
Please don’t chase me; I will start to play when I feel more comfortable.
I will learn about my new house by smelling everything.
Because I’m new, I might run away from loud voices, noises and fast movements.
Because I’m a bit nervous, I might hiss; that’s how I say, “I am scared.”
I need quiet times just like you do, so I might find a hiding spot and take a nap.
Please put my litter box in a quiet spot and let me use it alone.
Please remember to pick up all my legs when you carry me or my tummy will hurt.
I won’t mean to, but since I have claws I might scratch you if we play too much.
I’m not sure where to sleep yet, so I might try a lot of places before I get comfortable.
Please pet me gently and don’t pull my tail; I am small and can be hurt easily,make sure you don’t let me outside. I don’t know where I live and I’ll get lost. and one last thing. Please remember to close the door to outside behind you. I’m naturally very curious!

FEEDING RAW

Food, Toys, Litter