Getting a kitten is a fun, exciting event. However, if it’s your first little feline, you may be wondering how to best prepare for their arrival. After visiting a veterinarian for their first appointment, here’s what you should know about preparing them for your home.

How Do You Prepare Your Home for the Arrival?

Prepare for your new friend by getting a comfy, cozy pet bed and providing bedding that will be just for the kitty. Get a litter box ready and decide where it will be located. Kittens housetrain quite easily, but it’s best if the box stays in one location. Get them a scratching post and leave it near a window or their bed to avoid damage to the furniture; kittens love to scratch to keep their claws sharp and trimmed. Make sure to have dishes for water and food and a location for the kitten’s meals. Get a small bag of veterinarian-recommended food formulated for kittens. Don’t buy in bulk yet; make sure your new kitten likes and can tolerate the food first. 

Kittens are curious and will likely get into mischief, including playing with and trying to eat objects that can hurt them. Prepare your home by making sure blind pulls, electrical cords, and other dangling, tempting items are safely out of reach and secure. Limit access to chemicals, poisons, and potentially dangerous areas like an open dryer or toilet. Securely store any items the kitten could get to, including craft supplies and food. 

What Are Some Tips for Caring for Them?

Kittens are cute and playful, and it’s tempting to want to play with them all of the time—especially for kids. However, the new kitten will need alone time to adjust. Demonstrate to your child how to hold the kitten—supporting their belly and back legs—and gently scratch behind their ears or under their chin.

Slowly introduce the kitten to each room in the house that they’ll have access to. Show them the litter box, and place them in it after meals and naps. They’ll soon get the hang of using it, as cats instinctively bury their waste. If they start scratching furniture, gently remove them, and show them the scratching post. Observe your new kitten’s eating and elimination habits to make sure everything is OK, and take them to the veterinarian for vaccinations and a wellness exam.

A new kitten is a wonderful addition to the family and can be easily integrated by following the tips above. Animal Care Center of Fairfield serves the Greater Cincinnati, OH, area with affordable pet care. Extended hours, emergency veterinarians, and a full-service animal hospital are available to all. They provide boarding, grooming, and a monthly Healthy Pet Program. Call (513) 829-6621 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to see a full range of their services.