A new kitten’s journey has begun and you’re here to help make than journey a fun memorable one. Kittens are amongst some of the cutest animals on earth, and you get to raise one as a pet. However, caring for a new kitten can be a daunting task especially if you have never taken care of kitten before. That’s where we come in, read on to find out the top 5 things you need to take care of new kittens.
Based off our own kitten care experience and guidance from veteran cat owners plus research. We have compiled a new kitten care list to help you take care of your kitten. The following 5 things will help ensure that your cat is comfortable and healthy as they adjust into their new environment.
1. Time and Love to care for new kitten
The first thing you need do is to ensure that you have enough time to adequately care for him/her. It takes time for a new kitten to fully adjust to her new environment. So, during this be sure to show her lots of love and attention.
According to RSPCA South Australia “The settling period for new kittens could be between a couple of hours and 6 weeks.” This means that for some cats the process could be fast while for it might take a while. Either way it is important that you be patient with your kitten and guide her through the early stages of life.
It is also very important that your kitten socialises with other family members from a tender age. This helps reduce shyness and unfriendliness later when that kitten becomes an adult. Take time understanding your kitten’s personality. Some cats love lots of attention, while others may prefer alone time with occasional interaction.
For those with have other pets at home, slowly introduce your new kitten to them. If possible, keep your kitten in a room by herself for a couple of days (2-3). So that she can adjust to her environment and the smells of the animals around her and they can do the same.
2. A good veterinarian
A good veterinarian ensures that your kitten stays healthy overtime. Your veterinarian should also understand cats very well and preferably be located near your home. This person is like your pet’s personal doctor and will be there for all medical purposes. Including check-ups, deworming, vaccinations, and pet care advice.
If you don’t already have a vet check with friends or other family that already have a pet. Or you can browse online for “veterinarians near me”. Be sure to pay attention to opening hours, price per visit, and customer ratings or reviews before choosing.
3. Healthy cat food
Feeding you kitten healthy food will boost your cat’s overall health and physical wellbeing. When it comes to choosing the right food for your kitten there are various options. However, the two most popular distinctions are dry cat food and wet cat food. See our list of best cat food here, to help you make the healthy choose for your new kitten.
4. Kitten litter box
Kitten litter boxes are important when teaching a new kitten to relieve itself. An effective litter box is like your cats very own bathroom withing your house. So, investing in a litter box will be one of the best things you get your new kitty. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a kitty loiter box:
- The size, kittens are small so choose a litter box of appropriate size for your kitten.
- Where you will place it. The placement of the litter box is important so pick a location and try to stick to it.
Additionally, you can show your kitten where the litter box is and help simulate how they can use it. For example: using their paw to scratch it and helping them to smell it to get used to its smell. There are lots of different types of kitten litter boxes available to choose from. However here is our list of recommended kitten litter boxes and accessories:
- Kitty’s Wonderbox Disposable Litter Box
- Petmate Booda Dome Clean Step Cat Litter Box
- WePet Cat Litter Scoop
- Cat Litter Box Deodorizer
- Fresh Step Advanced Clumping Cat Litter
- Purina Tidy Cats Instant Action Clumping Cat Litter
- Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE Litter System Pellet Refills
Other Considerations
5. Toys and Accessories
Toys help entertain and stimulate your kittens mind and keeps them occupied. Idle kittens and cats can often be mischievous. If you don’t provide your kitten with adequate things to play with, they may turn on household items. This could be, toilet paper, shoes, sofas, tables, chargers etc you get the picture. There are many types of toys and accessories to choose for your kittens but here are a few popular types for kittens:
Each kitten may have their own preference so try a few if possible and see which one(s) entices her the most.
New Kitten care – Top 5 things you need to take care of new kittens Summary
New kittens are a great addition to our family and with the right tools and care you can grow a healthy happy kitten. We wish you all the best on your kitten care journey. Be sure to follow us on social media and sign up to our newsletter for more.