Congratulations on your new Kitten!
Here’s a guideline of basic information and recommendations for and about your new kitten’s arrival in your home.
Remember, we offer Lifetime Support!
Kittens may stress with the change of location, diet, etc. This could consist of sneezing, runny eyes/nose or possible diarrhea. This is not serious and should go away in a few days on its own. During the initial adjustment period kittens do best when confined to a quiet room with carrier, food/ water, & litter box easily accessible.
If you have other pets in your home, a slow introduction is recommended. Your kitten is used to sleeping in our bedroom and has been raised as part of our family. We hope you will do the same and when he/she goes home they can sleep with you as well. Please do not throw them together with your other cat/dog and expect them to get along. A period of 2-3 weeks to transition is advisable.
Going home is the most stressful time in a cat or kitten’s life. They are leaving everything they know and love and their entire world. They stress with location change, car ride, plane ride. They may not eat right away, have diarrhea, sneeze, have runny eyes or nose. This should all resolve itself within a couple of weeks usually. If not, however a vet visit is recommended.
Transitioning to a new home can take a little bit of time. Your kitten is most likely not going to walk right into it’s new home and acclimate him or herself immediately. Please allow them time to adapt and adjust and keep them confined to a small room such as your bedroom and give them plenty of love and attention. Everything is new to them right now and they need time to figure out their new world.
We do recommend your kitten/cat is kept indoors for safety reasons.
We recommend only the core vaccines be given which are the fvrcp and rabies vaccines. We do not recommend the feline lukemia vaccine as this has been shown to have adverse reactions.
Young children can scare new kittens when they go to a new home and it is recommended to give them space, even though they have been well socialized and are used to children.
There is tons of information on the web, just Search for “New Kitten Checklist”.
Here are a couple articles that are useful to help you along.
- Cat Food: Your kitten is eating Purina Pro Plan kitten Dry (free feed left out at all times) and Purina Pro Plan Essentials Wet (any flavor), 3 times daily as much as he/she wants. They should remain on dry kitten food until 18 months of age and always have wet food 2-3 times daily. Wet food is super important as it prevents urinary blockages and other health issues. Please do not give them a diet of mainly dry food. Dry food is not very healthy. It’s full of carbs and fillers, while it’s good, it’s the wet that’s essential for their health and well being.
- Abruptly switching your kitten’s food will cause gi upset and it is recommended to feed them the food they have been eating and if switching foods do so gradually and slowly.
- Cat Litter- He/She is used to Cats Pride Scoopable cat litter and both hooded and non hooded litter boxes
- Litter Pan – any pan will work, just remember that your kitty is going to grow, and you will need a large pan for your adult cat.
- Schedule their first Vet appointment for within 72 hours of scheduled pickup date
Your kitten will need lifelong veterinary care and the time to start is right now. They will need to continue their kitten vaccinations and deworming.
An initial visit to the veterinarian for a checkup is important and part of our Contract.
- Your Kitten DOES NOT come microchipped.
- Your veterinarian can also give you guidance on nutrition, show you how to do things such as nail trimming and can provide answers to your questions about being a first-time cat parent.
- It’s also important to establish a client/veterinarian relationship now, while your new family member is just starting out.
- Activate your free 30 Day Trupanion Pet Insurance the day before, day of, or day after your kitten leaves. PIN CODE is: BR1SC3122
- Litter Box and litter scoop
- Litter
- Food – dry
- Food – canned
- Pet dish (2 for wet food) and pet bowls (2 – one for water and one for dry food)
- Pet food storage dispenser or just a cereal container – for dry food.
- Cat toys
- Carrier
- Scratching post or a cat tree
- Cat brush, metal comb is recommended
- Research your local veterinarians for available vet services.
- Prepare a room for a kitten
Toys
• Always be careful about buying toys that the cat can easily swallow, rip apart and eat. If you see a broken toy, discard it immediately. Don’t wait for accident to happen.
• Any Feather Teasers toys are good to play with your cat but they must be put away after playing. Otherwise the kitten can eat the spiky feathers.
Kitty mansions.com cat trees very durable and last a long time.
Catit Senses provide great sturdy toys
Other Info
CAT brush – I recommend a small soft brush for your cat or a metal comb
My kittens love soft blankets and bedding as well.
Scratching posts I recommend are sissel rope, cardboard scratchers, or carpet lined.
I use ceramic and metal bowls for feeding and watering.
