Kittens are some of the cutest things that ever graced this Earth. If you’re looking to add a cute new little fur ball in your family, there are some things to consider. One of those things is the amount of time you’ll have to spend with them. Be sure you and the rest of your household is ready for this new responsibility and lifestyle change because you’ll definitely be spending a lot of time with your new kitten.
Kittens are not like puppies. They do not need to be taken outside to relieve themselves, nor will they need a daily walk to stay happy – but they need a lot of time and attention from you anyway. To maintain a happy and healthy kitten, their litter boxes must be cleaned daily. You must monitor their eating and drinking habits – especially the drinking part. Cats are notorious for being picky when it comes to how clean they think their water is. They’d ironically rather drink toilet water than stale water that’s been on their water bowl for four hours.
You’ll also be needing to help them drain all of their pent-up energy. Kittens may look like little cute and delicate things – but in truth, they are little balls of energy who are always ready to zoom around the house. If you are hoping to get any form of sleep with your kitten, be sure to play with them for at least 20 minutes before bedtime. You can’t stop until you see that they are indeed tired. Otherwise, you’ll be kept up by their incessant crying and trouble making though out the night.
Yes, kittens require a whole lot of patience from you. That’s why they’re so cute – their cuteness softens the blow. They’re naturally this energetic and curious because this is how they learn about the world around them. They will also need to develop their athletic abilities by running around, jumping and climbing everywhere. Trust, they will climb whatever they can get their claws through – including curtains and your legs.
Bringing in a new kitten in your home is a whole family affair – including the children of the household and the animal companions. It’s absolutely important that everyone is on the same page about the kitten. Your kids must be old enough to understand that kittens cannot handle rough play. They can be easily injured and that is definitely unacceptable. The kitten must not be disturbed when they are sleeping, eating or using the litter box – or else, your kitten could develop negative connections with those activities.
Introduce your kitten to the resident cat or dog cautiously. Don’t leave your kitten and your cat or dog alone until you are sure that they are not going to harm each other. If you’re introducing your kitten to a pet bird, that might not be such a fun time for the bird. Take extra caution.
Just before your kitty is finally allowed to roam the rest of your home, be sure to kitten-proof your house. Kittens are natural explorers. Anyplace they can get their tiny bodies in, they will go. Anything they can play with will become their toy. For your kitten’s safety, keep all of the toxic chemicals, plants, and electrical cords out of your kitten’s reach. Close your toilet lids and electrical sockets.
Also, beware that your kittens have tiny little knives at the end of their paws that they are more than happy to use when they can. Provide your kitty with scratching posts so the destruction on the rest of your furniture is lessened.
Bringing a new kitten in your life is a whole lot of work – but in the end, having a loving furry companion to bring joy into your life is definitely worth it.
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My new kitten keeps hiding. What do I do?
Kittens hide when they are anxious or scared. This is a normal behavior especially when they first come to your come to your home. In their eyes, your home is a strange new place and they need a bit of time to take it all in.
Before anything, the first place you should introduce to your new kitten is where the litter box is and where the food is. That way, in case they ever want to hide for a bit, they’ll know where to find food or where to pee or poop if they need to.
Once your kitten starts hiding, the worst thing you can do is to force them to come out. What you should do rather is to talk to them calmly so they get the chance to get used to your voice. When they’re ready, they’ll eventually come out.
How do I comfort my kitten?
Here are some things you can do to make sure your kitty is feeling safe and comfortable.
- A heat source. Kittens are not very good at maintaining their body temperature yet. You can use a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel for them to snuggle with on cold nights.
- Give them blankets. Use this to swaddle your kittens in or to line their resting areas in.
- Groom them with a toothbrush. A toothbrush mimics cat a mama cat’s tongue.
How to deal with a crying kitten?
Kittens cry when they need your attention. When kittens cry, check if there’s anything they need. Play with them regularly to drain their energy levels. Make sure they’re eating well and drinking enough water. If you see that everything seems okay, sometimes it is best to ignore your kitty. That way they will not become spoiled.
Kittens need a lot of your time. If you are planning on adopting one, be prepared for the amount of commitment and patience they require, not just from you, but from everyone in the household.
