It does not have to be an overwhelming experience when bringing home a new cat or kitten to a different environment with other pets and additional family members. Cats and kittens can adjust quickly to different environments, and usually better than we do. Depending on the nature, breed and the new environment, is how well the cat or kitten will adjust. Kittens will usually adjust quicker and smoother than an older cat, especially if the environment happens to be a busy, crowded home.
Here are a few helpful points in transforming the environments for your new cat or kitten.
Providing a Private Kitty Spot
You will need to have a private place for the cat or kitten, which is his or her own place. This should be out away from the daily hustle of daily living. This spot will provide privacy for the cat or kitten when they need privacy. Making the sleeping area comfortable, maybe with a pillow or two, soft blankets, or even something the cat or kitten used before will help them with the transition.
Where to Place Cat Litter
You should put the cat’s litter box across the room from where they have their privacy. Cats will not sleep by their litter boxes. If the cat is used to a special kind of litter, you will want to try to keep using that particular band. If you are going to change the litter to a different type or brand, you will want to do this slowly. You can do this by mixing small amounts of the new litter to the brand the cat or kitty are used to using.
The Kitty’s Food and Water
Place food and water dishes as far away from the little box as you can. Preferably, place food and water on the opposite side of the room, as cats and kittens do not like to eat near the litter box. In the future, another thing you may want to think about is possibly using a self-feeding water and dry food dispenser for cats and kittens. The feeders come in different sizes; this is helpful so that the new cat or kitten is not getting too much to eat. Overfeeding a pet is not healthy for the pet or for you. The feeding habits of the pet can be monitored and adjusted as the pet grows.
Allowing Cat to Explore His New Spot
Place the cat in the room and let him explore the room while you’re in it. At this time, you will be able to bond with the cat as well as start training your new cat or kitten. Placing soiled litter in the box will also tell the kitty where he needs to go potty, or, by using a catnip spray, it will also accomplish the same thing. Show the new cat where their water and food are located.
Allow the cat to look over everything in the room and be able to see the area they will be staying in. Furthermore, allow the cat to look out the window, check out the couch, chairs, and tables. If the cat or kitten appears to be sleepy, then allow them to do this as well. If the cat or kitten has fallen asleep in some other part of the house, you may want to move them to this sleeping area. It’s important to move them to this sleeping area to show them where the sleeping area is.
Exploring Rest of House
Allowing the cat or kitten on his or her own to explore the rest of the house or apartment is beneficial. Leaving doors cracked so they can explore the home and see the other parts of the house they will be living in is important. It’s necessary to allow your new cat or kitten to explore his new surroundings.
Introducing New Family Members or Other Pets
Do not push the kitty on the other family members or other family pets as this could be overwhelming. Allow the cat or kitty to do this on his or her own time. This will allow the kitty to use their own senses to introduce themselves to the family. Meeting the established dog is not a good time right now! You will want to contain him for a bit, until the kitty gets used to the house, family, and new environment. There will be plenty of time for the new cat or kitty to meet the dog and for the kitty to set the rules for the dog. This will also allow you to help set these rules for them.
After the new cat or kitty has settled into their new environment, this will be the time to start step-by-step training. Patience, love, and showing your new cat or kitten that you care about them are the start of a great relationship!
Recent Comments