Kitten Proof Your Home
Kittens are inquisitive by nature and spend much of their time investigating their surroundings. Kitten proofing your home will allow them to do this safely without any worry. Take a walk around your home and look for and correct any potential hazards including:
• Windows with no screens or screens with holes where your kitten could escape
• Loose wires that may get chewed causing electric shock
• Uncovered heat vents or other holes (e.g. sump pump hole) and crevices (e.g. near plumbing under the sink) where your kitten may get trapped
• Cleaning products and medications that may be harmful to your cat if ingested
• Plants that may be toxic if eaten
• Loose thread, yarn, tassels and string that are attractive playthings to kittens and can cause intestinal obstructions if eaten
Go Shopping For The Essentials
There are many cat products on the market today to make the lives of our cats enjoyable. Shopping ahead of time for the essentials will allow you to have them already in place before your kitten comes home. The following can be purchased at your local pet store:
• Pet carrier to safely transport your new fur ball home
• Litter box, litter scoop and cat litter
• Food and water dishes
• Pet bed
• Cat toys
• Scratching post
• Kitten food
• Brush and nail trimmers
Make An Appointment With The Veterinarian
Call your veterinarian a few days before you pick up your new kitten to schedule a health exam. Some breeders, shelters and pet stores will require you to have your kitten examined within the first few days of purchase. A veterinary exam will help to:
• Rule out any major health concerns that may be present
• answer any of your new pet parent questions
• advise you on an appropriate diet to feed your kitten
• set a schedule for future vaccinations, deworming treatments and spay/neuter surgery
If you have any other cats at home consider taking them in for an exam, vaccinations and deworming before your new arrival comes home. This will help to prevent any disease spread within multiple cat households.
Plan The Arrival
Planning ahead of time for the arrival of your new kitten will keep you organized and hopefully less stressed. Consider the following for your kitten's day of arrival:
• Choose a day or weekend when you are not working, to bring your new kitten home, so that you have ample time to supervise them in their new surroundings.
• Arrange to pick up your kitten in the morning so you can spend the whole first day together
• Have their food, water and litter already set up before they arrive. This will allow you to take them directly to these areas to show them where they can be found.
Your first day home with your new kitten can be enjoyable and stress free with a little preparation ahead of time leaving you time to get acquainted and to enjoy your first day home together.
