What Is The Best Way To Introduce My New Kitten To My Home
A new home with new sights, new sounds, and new smells can be a scary place for a young kitten, but there are things you can do to make the transition easier. Your new kitten likely left behind a loving mother, playful siblings, and a familiar environment, so he needs a little special care when being introduced to his new surroundings and new family.
Getting started
Your kitty needs to feel comfortable with you as soon as possible, so start your relationship by interacting with him on his own turf where he feels safe and secure. Spend time playing and cuddling him before taking him away from his familiar environment. Bring home the comforting scent of his current home by petting his mother and siblings if they are present. Better yet, bring along a towel and rub his family members or even the inside of his kennel to carry these old scents to your kittys new home. Familiar smells warm the heart and steady the nerves.
Going home
The ride home should be as pleasant as possible. Place the scented towel in a cat carrier and gently place your kitten inside. If he resists, remove the top of the carrier rather than nudging him through the door. Cats prefer cozy spots so they usually like being in a carrier. By encouraging your kitten to ride within the confines of a carrier, you are providing safety and security, as well as starting a good routine that you can maintain for future car rides.
Arriving home
Staying home alone
Preventing problems before they start
What To Do If You Find A Newborn Kitten
This article is now outdated. An updated version of this information can be found at bit.ly/HelpOrphanedKittens
During kitten season, its not unusual to discover a nest of unattended kittens or a single kitten seemingly abandoned by his/her mother.
by Valerie Sicignano, NYC Feral Cat Initiative
During high kitten season in the spring and summer, its not unusual to discover a nest of unattended kittens or a single kitten seemingly abandoned by the mother. You want to help, right? Before jumping to the rescue, consider these recommendations.
First: Wait & Watch
You might have come across the kittens while their mother is off searching for food, or is in the process of moving them to a different location. Try to determine if the mother is coming back for them, or if they are truly orphaned.
To do this, stand far away from the kittens 35 feet or more. If you stand too close, the mom will not approach her kittens. You might need to go away completely before the mother cat will return to attend to the kittens. It might be several hours before the mother cat returns until she no longer senses the presence of humans hovering near her litter.
The mother cat offers her kittens best chance for survival, so wait and watch as long as you can. The best food for the kittens is their mothers milk. Remove the kittens only if they are in immediate, grave danger.
If the mother cat returns
If the mother cat does not return
Kitten Care & Bottle-Feeding
First Steps
What If My Cat Wont Come Out From Under The Bed
If your cat does sneak under the bed, it might feel impossible to get him or her out, but you can try different things to coax your cat out.
Naturally, your cat will probably crawl to a space under the bed that you cant reach from any angle. If you cant seem to break your cats habit of going under the bed, here are some methods to get them out if theyre already under there:
- Use a broom or long-handled object. Dont hit your cat wave it near them. It may make them run out.
- Open a can of cat food or shake their favorite bag of treats. Their stomach might be less scared.
- Shake a cat toy. They may come to play if they hear a toy they like.
If your cat is terrified of something, it may be better to wait for them to come out on their own rather than waste your own time.
No one wants their cat new or old to be hiding under the bed. You want your cat to be part of the family from the get-go, and hiding is no way to live. Even if your cat seems to prefer being under the bed, remember that theyre probably scared. Work slowly with your cat, and soon enough, theyll be running the house !
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Kitty Does Not Like Other Animalsor Children
What Can You Do To Train Your Cat To Behave Better Around The Home
Jackson Galaxya cat behaviorist with more than 20 years of experience, and the host of Animal Planets hit show My Cat From Hellexplains in his entertaining video: The Best and Worst Ways to Train Your Cat
The first day
Introduce your cat to his new home gradually, restricting him to one room at first.
Isolate other animals from your new cat during this time. Supervise children, advising them to always be gentle with the cat. Have the litter box ready when you remove the cat from the carrier. Show him the location of the litter box. Offer a bowl of water but do not provide food for an hour. Your cat may be bewildered, fearful or curious. Do not overwhelm him with attention or demands. Remember to keep doors and windows closed, and be sure the cat has an I.D. tag on at all times. It is not unusual for cats to leap on top of very high furniture in order to explore or to feel secure. Do not panic, shout, or run to the cat. When he is ready, he will come down alone.
Try to spend several hours with your new cat as he becomes accustomed to your home. Your sensitive handling of the initial transition can ease the trauma and set the stage for a happy settling-in.
Sleeping arrangements
Most cats choose several favorite sleeping spots where they can be comfortable, warm, and free from drafts. Providing a bed for your cat may discourage him from sleeping on furniture. A cozy box or basket lined with soft, washable bedding and placed in a quiet corner makes a suitable cat bed.
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All About Kittens: What To Expect
Raising a kitten is an entirely different experience from having an adult cat. Kittens have boundless energy and curiosity, which means they require a lot of your time and energy. Your new kitten needs not only lots of affection and playtime in order to be properly socialized, but also a ton of supervision to keep her out of trouble. The truth is that kittens, while charming and lovable, can be exhausting. Keep in mind that the kitten stage doesn’t last forever, and your cat will never be this small or cute again. Enjoy this stage, and remember, the bond you form with your kitten will last her entire life.
Should I Let My Cat Hide Under The Bed
You shouldnt let your cat hide under your bed.
If your cat bolts out of the living room every now and then when the doorbell rings and hides under the bed, its probably not a big deal. If you notice that your cat spends a lot of time under there, you might want to start to prevent your cat from staying under there. You dont want your cat to become too timid, after all.
Even if there isnt much under your bed, there are still some things that can pose a risk to your cat:
- Metal bed legs could scratch your cat and cut their skin
- Depending on the kind of bed you have, your cat may rip into the mattress or box spring
- If your bed isnt high off the ground, your cat may squeeze under and not get back out
- If your cat does come back out, they may be covered in dust or, worse, spiders
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How To Earn The Trust Of A Stray Cat
This article was co-authored by Molly DeVoss. Molly DeVoss is a Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist , a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant , a Fear Free Certified Trainer , and the Founder of Cat Behavior Solutions. Molly specializes in using positive reinforcement to modify and prevent unwanted behaviors in cats and reduce cat shelter surrender. Molly has sat on the Dallas Animal Advisory committee since 2013 and was voted one of the Top 12 Extraordinary Cat Behaviorists of 2020 by Catpetclub.com. She is certified by both the Animal Behavior Institute and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She is also the host of the weekly podcast Cat Talk Radio.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 24 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 410,964 times.
Earning the trust of a stray cat can be a difficult but rewarding process. If you see a stray in your neighborhood that you feel compelled to take in, you must first learn to engage with him in a way that is non-threatening. Know the facts about cat behavior, and what to do and not to do when interacting with strays.
Training And Socializing Your Kitten
Litter box training should be near the top of your priority list on your kitten’s first day home. Kittens that stay with their mothers until they are fully weaned usually learn a litter box’s purpose by watching their mothers. Typically, your kitten will already know what to do, and your only job will be to show her the box. You may need to remind her where the box is and use positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, until she gets used to using it on her own without any prompting. At this stage, it might be helpful to have a couple of litter boxes around the house, just to make sure she has easy access to one while she’s figuring things out.
Beyond potty-training, training a kitten is usually about establishing and reinforcing boundaries and household rules. Again, rely on positive reinforcement to train your kitten, and avoid punishing her or speaking to her harshly. Never, ever hit or shake your kitten. Instead, ignore her when she’s behaving badly and give her affection, treats and praise to reward her good behavior. If ignoring isn’t an option, redirect her attention to something else. For example, if your kitten bites or scratches your hand, give her a toy to play with instead. If she scratches the furniture, patiently redirect her to a scratching post or pad. If all else fails, give her a time out by confining her to base camp until she calms down.
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Introducing Your Cat To The Outside
It’s likely that your cat will want to go out and explore the garden and beyond. Our tips help ensure your cat can explore the outside safely when you let them out for the first time and make their way home again too.
Its best to make sure your cat is settled indoors and comfortable around you before starting to introduce your cat to the outside or letting them outside for the first time.
Some cats will immediately start wanting to go outside regularly, but some less-confident cats, kittens, or cats who might not have been outside before may want to build up the amount of time they spend outside.
Its important to let your cat explore outside in their own time. We wouldnt recommend using a harness, and you shouldnt pick your cat up and carry them outside. Both of these situations could potentially cause your cat stress and may result in them associating this negative feeling with going or being outside.
Teach Your Kitten To High
One great trick you can teach is how to high-five or “wave.” Kittens love using their paws to play and pounce on everything, so they may easily gravitate to this type of trick.2 If you’re using clicker training, hold a toy above your kitten’s head and “click” when she lifts her paw to bat at it. Say “wave” as she goes to bat at the object and let her play with the toy. Then start saying “wave” before she lifts her paw. After some time, she’ll begin to make the connection and start waving her paw at the word “wave” without needing to see a toy.
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A Comprehensive Guide To Bringing Home A Kitten
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Bringing home and raising a new kitten is an experience that’s loaded with challenges and rewards. Whether you’re considering getting a kitten or have already welcomed a fuzzy little bundle of joy into your life, you no doubt want to be the best pet parent. Keep reading to learn all about kittens and how to give your tiny friend the best start in life.
Your Cat Is New To You
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Training A Kitten To Recognize Their Name
Its a great thing to have a kitten that comes to you when called, but training your kitten to learn their name will take some time and effort. Make sure you use your kittens name every time you call him or her because you wouldnt want your cat to come running when you say something like, Kitty is so cute. After saying your kittys name, use the clicker and a treat to reward him or her.
So, thats it! Now you have all the basic tips and tricks you need to train your little bundle of joy. Start implementing these tricks without further ado.
How To Get Stray Cats To Come To Your House
If youre looking for one of the best ways for keeping stray cats away from your porch, then squirt them with a little bit of water. Also, keep your children away from the stray cat as she might attack to a sudden response from humans because stray cats arent.
Outdoor Cat house. Insulated for cold weather. Outdoor
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Distract Them Using A Toy Or Laser Pointer
Some kittens might be harder to catch than simply getting close enough to them to pick them up. Instead, you might need to distract them. Engage their hunting instincts and desire to play at such a young age. Use a laser pointer or a toy.
Take your time when you use this method. They might need to warm up to the idea of play because they can probably smell you. Lure them into a confined space or straight into the box. You need them to be entirely distracted by the toy to go somewhere that they dont feel comfortable without thinking about it.
It is best to use a laser pointer to do this because you can be farther away. It also allows you more flexibility in your movements because you wont have to steadily walk closer to the box for them to go into it. The more that they associate your presence with the box, the less likely that they will enter it.
How To Train Your Kitten To Be A Lap Cat 9 Tips
Its important to remember here that some cats will never want to be cuddly lap cats – and thats perfectly normal! But if youd like to encourage your kitty to spend some time close to you, here are some tips that can help you both bond, and help you train your kitten to be a lap cat.
If youve just bought a new tiny pussycat home for the first time, great! This is the best time to try and build your relationship and encourage your pet to feel safe and welcome. At this stage, let your kitty explore their new home in their own time. When they come near you, and allow you to stoke and pick them up, handle them carefully and gently so that they can get used to your smell and the feel of your hands. When they naturally come to you while you are sitting, encourage them with positive words and strokes – theyll soon learn that your lap is a place for attention and fuss!
Dont force them to sit on your lap – if they want to escape, let them. If you try to restrain them, this will only make them want to get away even more, and might put them off coming back.
Try sitting on the floor with them to play with their toys and let them climb onto you if they want to. Cats love chasing, so a soft toy on the end of a string will give them endless fun – and it will tire them out too!
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