What To Do as Soon as You Get a New Kitten

Congratulations on the new addition to your family! You have an exciting new adventure ahead of you, and you also have a lot to do. 

Kitten-Proofing

You will have to check that your house is safe for your kitten, just like when you bring a new baby home. Ensure that your kitten will be unable to open all of your cabinets, doors and windows. Secure anything fragile or dangerous. This includes any food or plants that are toxic to cats. You can still enjoy your favorite chocolates or items from www.smokingthings.com. Just be certain that they are out of your kitten's reach. Remember, the kitten will see almost everything as a potential toy.

Make an Appointment With Your Veterinarian

Take your kitten to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet will be able to tell you when your kitten needs vaccines, deworming, flea prevention and other care. They can tell you how to choose the right food and cut the kitten's nails. A good veterinarian will be able to answer any other questions you have about cat care. 

Provide a Safe Haven

Giving your new family member the run of the house right away can overwhelm them. Let the kitten get used to one room in the house at first. Make sure that the room is quiet. This refuge needs to have some toys, a litterbox, a place for the kitten to hide and a soft bed or thick blanket. Use non-clumping litter in the litterbox until your kitten is two or three months old. You will have to give the kitten space for at least a day or two. 

Gradually Introduce Your Cats

If you have other cats, they may not be happy to meet their new roommate at first. However, most cats live happier lives if they have a cat "sibling" around, as long as they slowly become accustomed to each other. While your new kitten is still in a separate room, allow your other cat to get used to the sounds they make for a few days. After that, you can help your cats form a relationship by feeding them on opposite sides of the door to the kitten's room. Put each bowl a few feet from the door and decrease the space between them each day until they are comfortable eating right next to each other. This helps them associate each other with something very positive. Once this step is finished, you can permit them to get to know each other in person. Provide more supervised interaction each day until the cats are not hissing, swatting or running away from each other.