How to prepare for your kitten coming home

Welcoming a kitten into your home can be an exciting moment. You can look forward to having lots of cuddles and fun with your new feline companion. However, before you can do this, you’ll need to take steps to ensure they feel safe and comfortable in their new environment. Here’s how to prepare for your kitten coming home. 

Gather essential supplies

The first thing you’ll need to do when preparing for your new kitten’s arrival is to gather all the essential supplies. This could include a litter box, litter, food and water bowls, kitten food, a bed, a carrier, toys and scratching posts. Make sure you have all these items in your home before your kitten arrives. This will ensure you’re fully prepared, helping the process to go as smoothly as possible.

Create a safe space

Since moving to a new environment can be very stressful for a kitten, it’s a good idea to create a safe space for them in your home. Whilst a spare room would be ideal for this, even just a cosy corner in another room where they can retreat to when they become anxious would suffice. Creating a safe space for your kitten is essential for their comfort and well-being and helps them to transition successfully into your home. 

In the designated safe space, arrange the litter box, food and water bowls, bed and bedding. You should also place toys and scratching posts to help encourage the kitten to play and explore. 

Kitten-proof your home 

When it comes to how to prepare for your kitten coming home, one step you’ll need to take is to kitten-proof your home. Kittens are naturally curious animals, which means they can get into all sorts of mischief, potentially causing them injury or death or resulting in serious damage to your property. We recommend that you secure electrical cords, remove toxic plants, lock away chemicals, secure windows, and remove any small items that your kitten could swallow.

Create a routine 

Since cats are creatures of habit, they do best in environments that offer predictability and stability. That’s why creating a routine is so important for your new kitten’s well-being. Doing so can help them to feel less stressed whilst also teaching them how to behave in various situations. Setting a routine can help with litter training and meal times too. Establish a consistent feeding, play, and sleep routine that your kitten can rely on. 

Avoid overwhelming them

Try not to overwhelm your kitten when welcoming them into your home. Give them the space and time to adjust to their new environment without too much stimulation. This can help to reduce their stress and anxiety levels and encourage good behaviour. As well as creating a safe space for your kitten, it’s a good idea to limit visitors in the first week or so, introducing them slowly to friends and family. Respect their boundaries. If they show signs of wanting space, give it to them. 

Spend quality time

Life can get busy but don’t forget to spend quality time with your new kitten when they arrive in your home. Not only can it help to become well-adjusted and confident in their surroundings but it’s vital for building a strong bond between you. Ideas for spending quality time with your kitten include gentle petting and cuddling, playing with interactive toys such as feather wands or laser pointers, and teaching them tricks and commands. You could also try grooming them using a soft brush or comb – many kittens enjoy the sensation of being groomed by their human companion.

Teach proper handling 

You’ll need to think about how to introduce your kitten to being handled. The aim is to ensure they feel secure and comfortable rather than stressed and anxious. Proper handling can also improve your relationship with them, helping to build a strong bond between you. We recommend starting with short sessions of gentle handling, gradually increasing the duration as your kitten becomes more comfortable. Do this in a quiet and calm environment so that they will feel secure. You may want to use treats and positive reinforcement during handling sessions. This could involve rewarding your kitten with treats or praise so that they associate being handled with a positive outcome.

Schedule a vet appointment

You should aim to schedule your kitten’s first vet appointment shortly after bringing them home. Ideally, this should be within a week or two. This allows the vet to conduct a thorough health check, address any concerns, and start your kitten’s vaccination schedule. Your vet will also provide treatment for parasite prevention, including flea and worm treatments, and offer advice on microchipping your kitten. 

Find a cattery in Sheffield

Now you know how to prepare for your kitten coming home, you may be thinking ahead to boarding facilities. If you ever need someone to care for your kitten when you go away on holiday or for business, you’ll need to find a reputable cattery. At Jaycliffe, we’re widely regarded as the leading cattery in Sheffield, providing boarding facilities for many cats and kittens throughout the area. 

Leaving your kitten at a cattery whilst you go away can be daunting, especially if they’re very young. However, you can rest assured that they will receive expert care during their stay with us. Our team are highly experienced, having cared for hundreds of cats and kittens over the years. We treat every cat in our care as if they were our own, giving them plenty of love and attention. 

Contact us 

To book a space in our cattery in Sheffield, get in touch today. You can reach our team by phoning 01709 645 046 or by sending us a quick message via our website. We’re available now to tell you more about Jaycliffe and arrange your free tour of our boarding facilities.