Get Ready-- there's a kitty coming home
To help the transition from our home to yours, a little planning is helpful.
Here are some of the minimul things to keep on hand
along with some tips on the adjustment phase.
Here are some of the minimul things to keep on hand
along with some tips on the adjustment phase.
First Day Home
"The world is so big, and I'm so tiny"
is what pulsates thru kitties head
as she hears new sounds, smells new smells, and is jostled from place to place.
"I want to go hide" is her immediate reaction,
so to calm her,
take her quietly to a small room,
where she cannot hide under furniture,
leaving her carrier near the water, food litter box.
It's a good place to stay for getting acquainted to the new sounds, smells and all.
Leave kitty in the room until she comes to you when you want (for petting, food, play)
then you know it's time for intro into other rooms,
gradually widening the known territory
always realizing where the litter box and food and water are.
If there are other animals in the house
it is a good idea to let her have her own space
for a couple of weeks
before introducing new furry family members
(also for the sake of her immune system).
is what pulsates thru kitties head
as she hears new sounds, smells new smells, and is jostled from place to place.
"I want to go hide" is her immediate reaction,
so to calm her,
take her quietly to a small room,
where she cannot hide under furniture,
leaving her carrier near the water, food litter box.
It's a good place to stay for getting acquainted to the new sounds, smells and all.
Leave kitty in the room until she comes to you when you want (for petting, food, play)
then you know it's time for intro into other rooms,
gradually widening the known territory
always realizing where the litter box and food and water are.
If there are other animals in the house
it is a good idea to let her have her own space
for a couple of weeks
before introducing new furry family members
(also for the sake of her immune system).
Food
Feed kitten 3 times a day, leave out all kitten can eat in 10 minutes, then pick up food.
- Right now, Kitty is eating half : 1.)raw ground chicken/or ground turkey and 2.)Purina One Complete
- We feed on wax paper, then there are less dirty dishes
- A "raw diet" is encouraged, which gives nice results: leaner, better muscled and reduced shedding.
- A raw diet can be done with chicken quarters, using a meat grinder, adding vitamins and protobiotics. Many recipes are available.
- Here is a good link for a recipe: (copy/paste into URL) https://www.paintedcats.com/raw-recipe.html
- If, in the future you plan to change the food,
a gradual change over a period of a week to two
will help her digestive track.
Fresh food and water is available in nontip bowls.
What goes, in must come out
What goes in must go out
Litter and litter boxes, oh boy.
Kitty uses litter box now, although she may change her mind if she doesn't like the smell of the litter,
or it's in a "dark scarey" place,
or she forgets where to find it...
The litter box is a top entry
which decreases tracking considerably.
However, it can be difficult for a small kitten to enter/exit.
So, we use small steps-- 6 " pavers,
stacking them inside and outside the litter box.
We use pressed wood pellets
for a variety of reasons:
*kittens often put things in their mouth, and this is nontoxic
*cheap
*has no smell, other than wood
Litter should be changed daily
to decrease parasites
and watch for deadly diarrhea.
Litter and litter boxes, oh boy.
Kitty uses litter box now, although she may change her mind if she doesn't like the smell of the litter,
or it's in a "dark scarey" place,
or she forgets where to find it...
The litter box is a top entry
which decreases tracking considerably.
However, it can be difficult for a small kitten to enter/exit.
So, we use small steps-- 6 " pavers,
stacking them inside and outside the litter box.
We use pressed wood pellets
for a variety of reasons:
*kittens often put things in their mouth, and this is nontoxic
*cheap
*has no smell, other than wood
Litter should be changed daily
to decrease parasites
and watch for deadly diarrhea.
Teachable Toys
There's always something to learn
and kitty is ready to learn every day.
So, some of the manners include:
using the scratching post,
and if kitty thinks otherwise
then a "No!"
along with a squirt from a squirt bottle
is a good teacher.
"Feather toy" teaches kitty to go where you ask--
just get kitty in love with the fun feather
and watch.
This is especially good if you need to ask her to follow you, or come to you.
A bell on it makes it that much better when calling kitty.
Walking on a leash is a great trick to aspire to
and it lets kitty know her yard
in case she should end up outside
she would know how to come home.
It's also a great confidence builder,
and a pretty cool thing to witness.
Here's a personal favorite video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiWVqT2sNTw
and kitty is ready to learn every day.
So, some of the manners include:
using the scratching post,
and if kitty thinks otherwise
then a "No!"
along with a squirt from a squirt bottle
is a good teacher.
"Feather toy" teaches kitty to go where you ask--
just get kitty in love with the fun feather
and watch.
This is especially good if you need to ask her to follow you, or come to you.
A bell on it makes it that much better when calling kitty.
Walking on a leash is a great trick to aspire to
and it lets kitty know her yard
in case she should end up outside
she would know how to come home.
It's also a great confidence builder,
and a pretty cool thing to witness.
Here's a personal favorite video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiWVqT2sNTw
So, here's a suggested shopping list:
Purina One Complete
Raw, ground Turkey, and ziplocs to freeze extra
water and food bowls, non tip
litter box - top entry is great at helping to keep litter tracking down
litter mats- are also
litter scoop
litter -wood pellets from feed store
scratching (tall) post/ sissal
squirt bottle
feather toy (teaser)
harness and leash
carrier- side entry is handy
blankie
Raw, ground Turkey, and ziplocs to freeze extra
water and food bowls, non tip
litter box - top entry is great at helping to keep litter tracking down
litter mats- are also
litter scoop
litter -wood pellets from feed store
scratching (tall) post/ sissal
squirt bottle
feather toy (teaser)
harness and leash
carrier- side entry is handy
blankie
House Rules
Each home as it's own.
In my house one rule is "no jumping onto leather furniture",
or kitchen countertops and table, for that matter.
So, kitty is supervised in the particular room,
with a spray bottle handy and set to "stream"
and a watchful eye and quick response
saying "No!" while displaying the infamous spray bottle.
If there is no reaction, then a stream hits a hustling kitty.
In my house one rule is "no jumping onto leather furniture",
or kitchen countertops and table, for that matter.
So, kitty is supervised in the particular room,
with a spray bottle handy and set to "stream"
and a watchful eye and quick response
saying "No!" while displaying the infamous spray bottle.
If there is no reaction, then a stream hits a hustling kitty.
"Don't put that in your mouth"
Kitten proof the room or area
from poison.
Bug poison, whether sprayed in the baseboards
or set as out as a box
can be deadly to kitten.
If a bug is poisoned but she puts it in her mouth she can be poisoned as well.
If she puts her paws on the poisoned baseboard, then later cleans herself, she can be poisoned.
So, find a room she can be in, mop off or pick up any poison, and you can breathe freely.
Be mindful of other things that can be posionous,
like fertilizer in potted plants.
Or choking hazards.
Kitten is like a toddler, curious, and needing a watchful eye.
from poison.
Bug poison, whether sprayed in the baseboards
or set as out as a box
can be deadly to kitten.
If a bug is poisoned but she puts it in her mouth she can be poisoned as well.
If she puts her paws on the poisoned baseboard, then later cleans herself, she can be poisoned.
So, find a room she can be in, mop off or pick up any poison, and you can breathe freely.
Be mindful of other things that can be posionous,
like fertilizer in potted plants.
Or choking hazards.
Kitten is like a toddler, curious, and needing a watchful eye.
Germs
Can come in on the floor, bottom of shoes, or on clothing, or hands.
Germs are whatever kitty has not built immunity against.
Gradual exposures will build up immunity.
Otherwise, antibiotics work well.
This pertains even at the vet.
Ask that counters, hands and lab coats be cleaned between patients.
Germs are whatever kitty has not built immunity against.
Gradual exposures will build up immunity.
Otherwise, antibiotics work well.
This pertains even at the vet.
Ask that counters, hands and lab coats be cleaned between patients.
Give Momma a Break
There are times kitty cannot be supervised
so kitty goes to a kitty proofed area.
A bathroom is a popular choice.
Sometimes a kennel/crate in the living room
with the kennel providing comforts that kitty loves
like her food, treat, bed, litter box.
Or maybe kitty has her own kitty proofed room.
Then the spray bottle set to "mist" is handy at the cracked door
to keep kitty from being the Door Dasher.
A catio, cat patio that is enclosed, can be a pleasant outdoor experience.
A catio can be equipped with shelter from weather
as well as litter box and food/water.
There are many versions of catios to explore,
some as simple as a small kennel assembled on a porch
so kitty goes to a kitty proofed area.
A bathroom is a popular choice.
Sometimes a kennel/crate in the living room
with the kennel providing comforts that kitty loves
like her food, treat, bed, litter box.
Or maybe kitty has her own kitty proofed room.
Then the spray bottle set to "mist" is handy at the cracked door
to keep kitty from being the Door Dasher.
A catio, cat patio that is enclosed, can be a pleasant outdoor experience.
A catio can be equipped with shelter from weather
as well as litter box and food/water.
There are many versions of catios to explore,
some as simple as a small kennel assembled on a porch
Kitty can benefit from her own pet
For the times when human companionship is not available,
kitty can benefit from having her own pet.
Maybe a congenial dog, or another kitty.
Introductions may seem awkward in the beginning,
but with time, they get used to living together
and are more active, entertained and perky.
kitty can benefit from having her own pet.
Maybe a congenial dog, or another kitty.
Introductions may seem awkward in the beginning,
but with time, they get used to living together
and are more active, entertained and perky.
Kitty knows her neighborhood
Eventually kitty should also be familiar with her outside environment
in case she bolts for the open door
she will then have her bearings on how to return.
A good way to do that is using a harness and leash,
mindful that some kitties can escape a harness if they desire,
and going for a kitty walk,
well, she kinda goes at her own pace,
and coming in the door again to her treats and toys.
Getting her to come to you,
is the big key,
then the world is your own.
in case she bolts for the open door
she will then have her bearings on how to return.
A good way to do that is using a harness and leash,
mindful that some kitties can escape a harness if they desire,
and going for a kitty walk,
well, she kinda goes at her own pace,
and coming in the door again to her treats and toys.
Getting her to come to you,
is the big key,
then the world is your own.