Kitten Advice

[hardboiledeggs]

Hi,

We are collecting our Kitten shortly and I was wondering if any one could recommend where to keep him during the day whilst we are at work/school etc?

I bought a pop up pen for him, mainly just so he can get peace from the kids if needed.

Would it be awful to keep him in there whilst we are out? It's big enough to fit his food bowls, bed and litter tray as well as some toys. Just until he is big enough I don't need to worry about him hurting himself whilst we are out.

Any advice would be great. thank you.

How old is the kitten and how long are you leaving it alone for? I don’t think a pop up pen with all those items in is a good idea. Many Cats don’t like their water to be next to their food bowl and they won’t want the litter tray next to their bed and their food.
Kittens younger than four months should not be left alone for more than four hours. Older than that, they can handle another hour or so. When they reach six months, they can tolerate an eight-hour day without company.

www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/behaviour/travel/leave-cat-at-home

You need a huge (and I mean huge dog crate) or to kitten proof a whole room. But I agree with the previous poster they are best not left all day on their own.
You have to be really careful to remove all hazards, no curtain cords dangling, nothing they can eat, no cables they can chew etc

How long will it be alone? Most places suggest getting kittens in pairs and not leaving all day.

Don't get a single kitten and leave it all day on its own. Cats are social creatures. If you plan to be out all day get two.

I left our new kitten at home alone in the sitting room and she was fine. I worked between 8am & 4pm. I kitten-proofed it as much as possible - blocked access to wires, fireplace etc, litter tray up one end, food & water down other end) but I wouldn't personally leave one in a pen as I think they need to stretch their legs. She is now a healthy & happy 18 month year old!

Try and keep him in one room to start with but don't confine him any more than that.

Not a bathroom or toilet though. A proper room like lounge, dining room or bedroom.

Put food and litter tray in there as well.

If you have a spare room that would be ideal.

How long are you going to leave the kitten for? I got my kitten in April and did nto leave her for nay length of time for the first few months. You are advised not to leave them for 6-8 hours until they are 6 months old.
The first my kitten wasnt ever left alone unless w nipped to a shop for 30 minutes or so etc, we built it up from that. After about 3 weeks would leave her alone for up to 2-3 hours then week after that 4 hours etc etc.
There are pet forums that can give you some good ideas on leaving them.

Would be about 6hours on his own until someone would be home but have someone who can check on him in between. I mainly got the fold away pen for him to have his own space if the kids got too much for him. I think I’ll set him up in our small box room and let him have the full room with food water and litter tray etc. thanks very much everyone. First kitten so was completely lost.

Poor thing will be lonely, ripped away from its mum and left alone. Most respectable breeders and cats protection wouldn’t give you one if nobody’s home.

What’s the point in getting a cat if you’re all out?

Sigh.

I wont be out all the time but I obviously wont be able to stay with him all the time. I have to work to, you know by food for him 🙀

So by all means sigh away 😹

Your comment is pretty uncalled for, not sure what you hoped to gain with it. Bad day? Looking to vent? May I suggest you take your negative comment and go elsewhere, or maybe find a better stress relief than trying to piss off random strangers off the internet....sigh....all the best!

Ah don't worry - we had a solo kitten and she was on her own 7-8 hours a day from the beginning. She was absolutely fine.

Just kitten proof a room and make sure she has everything she needs.

2 kittens would have been better.

Please make sure that the kitten has a soft cuddly teddy to snuggle next to and a soft blanket to hide under. Kittens get cold easily.

It will also need a bed (preferably in a corner for security feelings).

A PP mentioned kitten proofing - this is very important. They can squeeze into tiny spaces, under floorboards and titchy holes. Make sure there aren't any of these , any dangling cables and cords also only special kitten toys as bigger ones are a choking /tangle hazard.

The poo tray and food should be separated by quite a distance and poo tray is better covered (we put ours in a cardboard box as it makes them feel safer and keeps the mess contained).

If the kitten comes from a fairly noisy household you may want to leave the radio on quietly for company.

Love kittens 😊

Thanks very much. He’s settled in great 😃loves his cuddles and play time but also likes a bit of peace away from our young kids. Thankfully (so far) all going well. Thanks everyone, advice helped us a lot.