If little Fuzzface is already part of your household, use this lesson as a review, then you can move ahead to Lesson 2.
You'll undoubtedly have questions about one or more of the lessons. Since I rarely have time to reply to questions by email with the detailed response they deserve, I suggest joining the About Cats Forum, where dozens of experts will be able to answer any questions you have (while no doubt asking lots of questions about your new kitten.)
Are you excited yet?
Kitten-Proof Your Home
Look, Sniff, and Think like a Kitten
Put on some comfortable old clothes and get waaay down on the floor and put on your best kitten persona. You can even lie on your back. Now look up; you'll likely see dozens of tempting attractions, many of them hazardous to little furkids. If you lack imagination, follow the article, step-by-step.
Shopping List for New Kitten
At the very least, your kitten will need food, a place to sleep, a scratching post or pad, and a litter box and litter. Of course, you won't be able to pass up a few toys. They will make the coming home experience a little easier on your new addition, especially since he'll be isolated from any other cats the first few days.
Although your new kitten may be perfectly comfortable in a cardboard box lined with clean, soft towels or a small blanket, consider giving him a real bed, just like the big guys. The best bets are beds that are either fully washable or have a washable and/or replaceable cover.
The first year of a cat's life sets the pace for his future development, health, and well-being. It is essential that he eats a quality food developed for kittens.
For now, if you know the 0brand, give him the same food he's been eating at the breeders, foster home, or shelter, to avoid tummy upsets from sudden changes. We'll explore more about quality foods in a later lesson.
You're going to spend a lot of time in the first weeks bonding with your new furkid - establishing a close relationship that will last a lifetime. One of the best ways to start this bond is by playing with kitten with an interactive toy. He will enjoy any of these listed, but don't forget another favorite game is "fetch" with a wadded-up piece of paper.
A favorite "starting scratcher" among feline aficionados is the Cosmic Alpine Scratcher, an inexpensive, long-lasting cardboard incline with a corregated cardboard scratching surface. We've had ours going on 18 months now, and just reversed the scratching surface for another long period of hard use. At one time, our kittens were small enough to fit inside through the hole. Maybe yours will too.
There are many litter boxes on the market, but make sure the one you choose is shallow enough for easy entrance and egress for your little guy. Many people use a small plastic storage box of appropriate size, for starters.
The litter is the most important factor. The link above gives my top picks for premium litter. You also owe it to your kitten t read this article on Clumping Clay Litters .
Preparing a "Safe Room"
It may be a room, a closet, or a secluded corner
Your kitten will need a "safe room" for one or two reasons:
- To have a place where he can retreat when frightened, feeling threatened, or just to relax and sleep
- To isolate him from other cats in the family until he's been "cleared" by your veterinarian.
Next lesson: Introducing Your New Kitten to Your Home.
Kitten Care Course Navigation
- Preparing for Your New Kitten <--You are Here
- Introducing Your New Kitten to Your Household
- Food and Nutrition for Your New Kitten
- Grooming and Maintence of Your Kitten
- Training and Discipline of Kittens
- Playing With Kittens
- Indoors vs Outdoors
- Your Kitten's First Year
