Cats / Getting Started
Bringing a kitten home means committing to giving them a safe, loving environment with everything they need for comfort, food and entertainment — so it pays to prepare well before pick-up day.
Bringing a kitten home means committing to giving them a safe, loving environment with everything they need for comfort, food and entertainment — so it pays to prepare well before pick-up day.
Make sure your kitten receives every vaccine your vet recommends. They won't enjoy the process, but vaccination protects against several serious, entirely preventable illnesses. It's also worth having your kitten microchipped, or at least fitted with a collar and tag, so they can be identified if they ever go missing — while this isn't a legal requirement everywhere, it makes a real difference in getting a lost kitten home safely.
Kittens generally take to litter trays instinctively, though you can speed things along by placing them in the tray after meals and play sessions. Keeping food and fresh water available throughout the day helps keep them properly hydrated, which in turn keeps litter tray habits regular. Treats are a great training tool during this period too, reinforcing good behaviour as you go.
Make socialising a daily habit — playing with your kitten and getting them physically active helps them see you as a trusted friend and builds a strong bond early on. Inviting friends over to interact with your kitten, and rewarding them with treats during these visits, helps them grow comfortable around people generally. Playing music at varying volumes during this period can also help prevent them from developing a fear of loud noises later on.
Give your kitten plenty of time to explore and adjust once they arrive — a new home can be genuinely overwhelming at first, and a bit of initial shyness is completely normal. Let them approach you on their own terms rather than forcing interaction if they're hiding; this builds trust and reassures them you're not a threat.
Kittens need a huge amount of sleep, typically 18 to 22 hours a day, which sounds extreme by human standards but is entirely normal for them. During their waking windows, make the most of it with play and engagement to support both bonding and good behaviour.
Article content © Ravi Teja. All rights reserved.
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