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Kitty Comes Home
First Care of your new kitten
By Jan Huber / Jan's Kitten Kids
So you found a new furbaby to join your family! He or she should give you many years of companionship and pleasant memories. Following is a brief outline of things you should know BEFORE bringing your kitten home.
First Vet visit-should be scheduled immediately or soon after your adoption. Being established with a trusted vet is an important first step. Bring with your information such as birthdate, what shots were given and what product was used for deworming as well as the product's name. Be sure you choose your vet carefully. Many vets are good with dogs and other small animals, but not actually fond of / knowledgeable with cats!
Sanctuary Room-have ready a small room or area that is safe and closed off from the rest of the house,( NOT a carrier or pen, unless more than 5' Square)), but a place large enough for ample excersise! Keep kitty here for first week or two when you are not home and observing till kitty learns house rules. Be sure room is complete with bed, toys, food & water. Remember, your kitten/ cat will be highly stressed, frightened, in most cases, so play soft,soothing music, DO NOT invite guests, family to see new kitten for at least a few days!
Training-The way in which you raise your kitten starting with the early, formative weeks and months, into adulthood are of the utmost importance! Taking the time to actually TEACH /TRAIN your kitten will make the difference between owning a loving, well behaved kitten vs. one which has had no training and ends up frightened, agressive, destructive, and / or totally out of control. Always remember your kitten is special, no matter what it's breed or combination of, please make the most of your own special kitty by giving your best! This means, like with children, QUALITY attention and taking the time to train, Not MAIM. Declawing is looked on by anyone with cat Savvy as cruel and inhuman, because it is.
Declaw Issue-There is NEVER a GOOD, or even plausable reason to declaw, it's a sad misconception that over the years has generated big bucks into clinics, but is unnecesary and cruel, leaving long term problems in years to follow, which simply cannot be addressed once this permanent damage is done.
Instead:
*Try softpaws nailcaps (if you are not sure on training yet.( $20 for pkg. of 40, I can apply to fronts at pick-up time)
*Try *sticky Paws* double tape where kitty scratches
*drape old sheets or lankets over furniture till kitty is happily using her own furniture.
*Most of all- get her her own furniture and start out right! A nice tall cat tree with berber or sisal poles and ample shelves so she can stretch and scratch horizontal or vertical and leave your furniture alone! If bad habits never start, you'll never have a problem. You can make them with wood, steel L brace brackets and some sisal rope and or berber carpet remnants and a staple gun. Or buy one at Walmart, not a short one, but the floor to ceiling tention pole model works great for a starter, running about $36.
Kittens and cats are not toys, nor do they have the ability to be mean or vindictive, they simply act on instinct, and, or perhaps your reaction to an incident. Good Habits are really easy to teach, but like with children, consistancy is important. Don't start by letting kitty use your fingers to chew on ! nipping in play is common, but must be stopped imediately. You can flick your finger on the mouth, or simply get up and walk away after saying *NO!* Watch out for bare toes in the mornings! Kittens are happy you are up and want to play, your toes are the perfect *prey* to hunt and tackle!
Often older kittens will like jumping up on countertops or tables, this must be discouraged early on. A sharp | |||||||