Kitten Care Guide

Once you have decided to become a kitten parent there are a few things you should do before you bring your new bundle of joy home.  Bringing home a new kitten is similar to bringing home a new baby. You will need to properly prepare your home, as well as buy a few kitten essentials. Before I continue, I want to point out that NO reputable breeder or cat rescue group should allow you to take your kitten home before 12 weeks of age. It is very important that your kitten stay with its mother for the appropriate amount of time. Mama cats teach their kittens several important life lessons such as how to play well with others (socialization) and even how to cover up their poop after they have gone to the bathroom.  Be patient and let Mama do her job. You will thank her in the long run when you end up with a well behaved, healthy and happy feline! Kitten care isn’t difficult as long as you are prepared!

Preparing Your Home For Kitty

Before you bring home baby Felix, take a few minutes and look around your house. Is it safe for a tiny, curious kitten? You want to provide the absolute best care for your kitten and a great way to start is by “kitty proofing” your home.

1. Secure all escape routes
2. Prepare a kitten “Safe Room.” A “Safe Room” is a place where your new kitten will feel warm, safe and secure. Pick a quiet room in your home that your kitten will view as his or her sanctuary. Put a small cat bed, some old blankets and a few toys in the room.
3. Secure kitchen and other cupboards - Kittens are curious…there is no doubt about that! Make sure all of the cupboards in your home close properly. Kittens (and cats) have been known to sneak their way in to the most obscure places!
4. Remove all strangling hazards
5. If you have potted plants take a few moments and determine if they are hazardous to your kitten. If eaten, many plants can make a kitten sick or cause major health problems! If you own poisonous plants, remove them BEFORE you bring your kitten home. Better to be safe rather than sorry! 
6. Secure electrical wiring or spray wires with Bitter Apple. Bitter Apple can be found in most pet stores and is used to stop animals from chewing and/or biting items that can be potentially dangerous or even fatal!
7. Make certain that all cosmetics and medications are out of reach. Kittens and children are very similar…both are curious and will often get into things that they are not supposed to! Keep medications and cosmetics in a secure, closed area.
8. VERY IMPORTANT! Make certain that all chemicals and household cleaners are put away and out of reach. Certain items such as antifreeze are poisonous if ingested!

So there you have it. Eight important yet simple things you should do BEFORE you bring home your new kitten. Caring for a kitten does not have to be difficult. Preparing your home BEFORE baby Felix arrives will give him a safe start to a great life!

Filed under: General Kitten Information on February 5th, 2009