Tips for helping new cat or kitten to adjust to your home

Here are some tips for helping your new pet adjust to your home:

1.    We recommend trying to keep your home as calm as possible while your cat adjusts to the new sights, sounds and routines of your home. Be patient and give them time to adjust.

2.    If you have other animals, we recommend that you keep your new cat in a single, separate room for the first couple weeks.  Give all your pets time to smell each other and get used to the presence of a new cat before they interact.  Keep an eye on their initial interactions to judge if they are ready to be friends, or if they need a little more time to adjust.

3.    Pheromone diffusers and calming treats are natural ways help cats feel calm. This may help if your new cat is feeling anxious or frightened by their new surroundings. (Pheromone diffusers plug into an outlet and emit an odorless cat pheromone that is like the one that cats emit when they are nursing. This is calming to them. Veterinarians and rescues strongly recommend using theses diffusers. Calming treats or liquid supplements can also be given as treats or mixed in with their food. We especially like a liquid supplement called Quiet Moments to help a cat feel calm.)

4.    Show your new cat their litter box and keep it easily accessible for the first few weeks until they learn their way around your home.

5.    Make sure there is plenty of water and food available for your cat throughout the day and night.

6.    Keep up with their yearly vaccinations and wellness checks so that you can monitor your cat’s health.

7.    Be aware that kittens are like toddlers. They need to be watched carefully as they are curious about everything. Cords, strings, plants, glass, and many other hazards may interest them and cause harm. It’s a good idea to “kitten proof” your home.

8.    Letting your cat go outside exposes them to many dangers and diseases. We require that you keep cats indoors for their safety and health. Give them room to play and toys to chase, and they will be content inside. Leave out boxes for them to play and hide in, a place to sit by a window so they can watch birds, and scratching pads or posts to scratch on.

9.    Contact us any time you have questions about your cat’s care

10.There are many helpful websites, videos and books that have valuable information about cat care. (PetMD, fourpaws.com, petsafe.com, ASPCA, RSPCA – these are just a few)

11.Most of all, enjoy your new cat. Spend time playing and cuddling with them, and you will find they are great companions.

                                       It Doesn’t Happen Overnight

                                   Love.  Patience. Time. 

        Your new cat will need all 3 to adjust to living with you.

3 Days to Decompress

Your new cat may:

-Feel scared, anxious, or unsure of what’s going on

-Be overwhelmed with all the new experiences

-Hide under or behind furniture

- Prefer not to be handled or cuddled just yet

-Avoid eating or drinking

-Act “shut down”

-Not yet feel comfortable showing their true personality

3 Weeks to Learn Your Routine

Your new cat may:

-Start settling in

-Feel more comfortable

-Recognize that your home might be a safe place

-Let their guard down

-Learn their new environment

-Start establishing a routine

-Allow you to pet them

-Show more of their true personality

3 Months to Start to Feel

         at Home

Your new cat may:

-Finally feel comfortable and relaxed in your home

-Begin to build trust and start to bond with you

-Gain a sense of true security with their new family

-Have a firmly established routine

-Finally show their true personality

Please feel free to get in touch with us if you have concerns about your new cat’s adjustment to your home and family hagridshope@gmail.com or text us on Facebook Messenger.

                 Bringing home a kitten?                                    Here's what you need to know

Basic Kitten Care

Kitten-Proofing Your Home

Treat your new pet as you would a toddler, who thinks everything is “mine” and puts it in their mouth. Kittens are curious creatures and can get into trouble quickly.

·   Designate a safe area for your new kitten to explore. It’s best to keep them in one room with all their essentials for the first week or two, so they can acclimate to their new environment. Set them up with a litter box, food and water dishes, a comfortable bed, and a place to hide, like a box or little house.

·   Remove or hide any potential hazards, including:

·       Medications and small objects that might be ingested

·       Plants that aren’t cat safe

·       Chewable electronic cords (You can buy a spray called Bitter Apple and spray it on electric cords to make them taste bad and prevent chewing.)

·       String, ribbon, yarn, dental floss

·       Blind cords and dangling objects

·       Breakable objects and valuables

·       Keep the toilet lid closed

·   Install screens on windows and doors to prevent escape. When opening doors, make sure your kitten doesn’t make a break for it. 

·   Keep your kitten safe inside. Letting your kitten go outside exposes them to many dangers and diseases. Cats that stay indoors enjoy long, safe, and healthy lives. Give them room to play and toys to chase, and they will be content inside. Leave out boxes for them to play and hide in, a place to sit by a window so they can watch birds, and scratching pads or posts to scratch on.

Prepare Yourself for Cat Parenthood!

·   Raising a kitten is an incredibly enjoyable and exciting experience, but it does require lots of composure and commitment. Remember, this mischievous fur ball is literally a baby animal, so treat them with love and patience.

·   Be aware that kittens are like toddlers. They need to be watched carefully as they are curious about everything. Cords, strings, plants, glass, and many other hazards may interest them and cause harm. It’s a good idea to “kitten proof” your home. (See how to kitten proof below.)

·   Never yell at them or punish them for bad behavior. Instead, redirect their attention and deal with whatever problem they’ve caused. Think about how this situation could be prevented in the future.

·   Reward them when they exhibit good behavior. They are too young to know your expectations, so teach them how to behave.

Introduce Your Kitten to Your Home

·   When introducing your kitten to their new home, it's important to remember that this can be a stressful experience for them. They are leaving behind their familiar surroundings and may feel scared and overwhelmed. It's important to introduce them to their new environment slowly and give them time to adjust.

·   A great way to do this is to keep them in a small room or area of your home initially, such as a spare bedroom. This will give them a chance to get used to their new surroundings without feeling overwhelmed by the entire house. Make sure to provide them with all the essentials in this room, such as a litter box, a cozy bed, and bowls for food and water.

·   Don’t be alarmed if your kitten hides for a while. This is totally normal. They’ve been through a lot. Help your new kitten feel secure.  Keep them in a separate room, give them a box or some place to hide, so they feel safe. Be patient. Give them time to adjust.

·   Go into the kitten’s room and talk to them quietly. Don’t force them to come out or try to hold them before they are ready. Treats are a great way for them to warm up to you. Or bring a toy and get them to play.

·   Once your kitten has settled into their confined space, you can start introducing them to other parts of your home (after you’ve kitten-proofed). You can do this gradually, allowing them to explore one area at a time. Keep an eye on your kitten as they start to explore to make sure they are safe and reassure them if they get frightened or overwhelmed.

Meet the Family

·   Start slowly when it’s time to meet the family. If you have other pets, let them smell each other through the door. This allows time for them to get used to each other.

·   We recommend keeping a new kitten separate for up to 2 weeks. Some cats take longer to feel comfortable than others. You’ll know when they are ready.

·   Stay close when your young children or other pets first meet your new kitten. Watch how they react to each other. Let them get acquainted slowly. You may want to keep your kitten separated when you sleep or leave the house until you’re sure they all get along.

·   If you have dogs, we recommend leashing them when they first meet the new kitten. Let them sniff each other out for a bit.

·       Monitor interactions between your kitten and your children or your other pets for the first few weeks

Providing Food & Water for Your Kitten

Kittens need to eat kitten food - at least three or 4 times a day or more, depending on their age. 

·       Kittens need far more calories and protein than adult cats to support their rapid growth rate, so you be sure to feed them a high-quality food that is explicitly labeled as a kitten formula. Follow recommendations on the kitten food bag or can for the correct amount based on the kitten’s age

·       If they need encouragement to eat, try different brands of food - most cats have their favorites.

·       Avoid giving your kitten adult cat food or human food, as it may cause health issues or malnourishment.  Never give a cat milk or dairy products as it will cause digestive problems.

·       You can give treats to your kitten in moderation as long as they continue to eat the full recommended amount of kitten food.

Provide clean, fresh water

Make sure your kitten has access to clean, fresh water at all times. You can provide water in a clean bowl or a water fountain. Metal water bowls are better

Litter Box Training

Many kittens instinctively know how to use the litter box, but if they don’t you may need to teach them. After every meal, place them in the litter box and dig around in the litter with your hand to demonstrate. They should get the idea within a few days. 

·       Never punish them for “accidents” outside the box. They need time to learn.

·   Choose an unscented litter and a kitten-friendly litter box (easy access)

·   Scoop the litter box every day (they like clean bathrooms, just like we do)

·   Set up the litter box in a quiet area with good visibility – cats can’t see when it’s completely dark – they need some light

·   Place the kitten in the litter box after every meal and nap. Show them what to do by pawing at the litter with your hand

·   Reward your kitten every time they use the litter box correctly (Give them attention/love or a treat)

·   Never punish them for having accidents. Simply clean up the mess with an enzyme-based cleaner and keep litter training them as before

Play is Important

·       Kittens need a minimum of two 15-minute play sessions every day, but may need more depending on their energy levels. Playing with your kitten will make them less likely to keep you awake at night, or get into trouble because they are bored.

·       Provide engaging cat toys that are safe and don’t have any small breakable components which could be swallowed. Just like human babies, kittens are liable to put almost anything in their mouths! 

·       You can build a relationship with your kitten by playing with them. When you’re with them, use a laser pointer or wand toy to play, but don’t leave a wand toy out when they’re alone.

·       Don’t let kittens play with ribbons, yarn, strings, or plastic bags, or small things they can swallow. These are dangerous for cats.

·       Kittens especially like toys they can chase around – a crumpled-up piece of paper, or the lid from a milk carton.

·       Leave out shoe boxes, baskets, or bowls for them to nestle in; cut some holes in a larger box for them to crawl into; let them play with paper bags, or toilet paper rolls.

·       Note: Don’t use your hand as a kitten toy. This may encourage your kitten to bite and scratch you when playing, which can be a hard habit to break. Instead, use a plush toy that they can really sink their teeth and claws into.

Recommended Kitten Items

Bowls for food and water

Litter box – and scooper for you to clean the box

Nail Trimmers – get your kitten used to having their nails clipped as early as possible

Brush or comb – regular brushing helps prevent hairballs

Scratching Post – giving your kitten a designated place to scratch will help discourage them from scratching your furniture

Cat Tree- this gives your kitten a place to climb and play and look out the window, or sleep.

Grooming Your Kitten

Kittens are usually good at grooming themselves, but you should also get them used to being groomed by a human. Brush their fur, trim their nails when they’re sleepy, and try to brush their teeth if you can.

Pick them up often and gently touch different parts of their body (e.g. ears, paws) so they become comfortable with being handled. This will help when they have vet checkups. Never force a kitten to stay in your arms, if they are frightened and panicked and struggling to get away

Regular Vet Checkups

·       Choose a veterinarian and have them check over your new kitten. We recommend visiting the vet within a few days of adopting your kitten. The vet will give your kitten a full-body examination, set up a vaccination schedule, and answer any questions you have about kitten health care.

·        Be sure to ask if they have an emergency number, or where the nearest 24-hour emergency vet clinic is.

·       Regular vet checkups are essential to keep your kitten healthy, and establishing a solid relationship with your local vet is a huge asset.

·       Your kitten will need to receive vaccinations in their first 16 weeks. By 4-6 months.

·       Spay or Neuter - You’ll want to have your kitten spayed or neutered to prevent

hormone-related behavior like spraying and territorial aggression. It’s also better for their overall health. Consult with your vet to determine the best age for your kitten to be spayed or neutered. (Usually, it’s around 6 months of age)

Cozy Spaces for your Kitten

The second part of creating an enriching kitten home is your furniture. Every kitten should have a scratching surface, climbing space, cozy resting spots, and some good cat TV (e.g. an accessible window). You can get purpose-built cat furniture or find some DIY solutions. If you’re going to buy just one piece of cat furniture, we recommend getting a quality cat tree with multiple perches and sisal rope for scratching and stretching. 

Socializing Your Kitten

The first nine weeks of a kitten’s life are a crucial window for developing good social skills and preventing behavioral problems down the road. During this time, try to expose your kitten to as many new experiences as possible - without freaking them out, of course. Introduce your kitten to new people, guests who come to visit you. Your kitten may be nervous at first, they’ll gradually build confidence. Be sure to give them praise and treats when they face new situations so they can develop positive associations. 

If you have children in your home, we recommend introducing them to the kitten one at a time. Teach your children that the kitten needs to be handled carefully, and demonstrate how to gently touch and pet a kitten. Always watch young children when they are with your kitten.

If you have other animals, introduce them across a closed door where they can smell each other for the first couple weeks. Gradually allow them to have more contact, first through a very slightly opened door, then in the same room, then in the whole house. Always watch interactions with your new kitten and dogs. (We have good reason for this recommendation)

How can I train my kitten not to scratch furniture?

Provide plenty of scratching posts and toys, and discourage your kitten from scratching furniture by redirecting them to the scratching post. Praise them when they use the scratching post.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, raising a kitten requires patience, commitment, and responsibility, but we promise it’s 100% worth it. As long as you follow the general steps we’ve outlined here, you’ll be well on your way to having a healthy and happy kitten. Remember to schedule regular vet check-ups, provide plenty of playtime and exercise, and show your kitten love and affection to build a strong bond.

Hagrid's Hope had 2 cats with CH.  Fortunately, they were both adopted by loving families who understand the needs of cats with CH, and are willing to keep them safe.