Kitty arrives tomorrow....

[Dancingfairydreams]

So I'm getting an 8 month old kitten tomorrow...very excited but now also panicking about doing things right! Can someone put my mind at rest / offer advice please?

I've got all the necessary bits: litter tray, carrier, food & water bowls, collar (if she'll let me), bed,toys, food, climbing post & scratching post. Am I missing anything?

Also, I plan on putting the litter box in the hallway under the stairs....would this be Ok?

I'm worried about her darting out when I open the front door....now I don't really want to confine her to one room whilst I'm out so I'm assuming she'll be sleeping somewhere so I'll have enough time to get in & close the door before she appears??

I know I'm probably over thinking things but my mind is racing

Thanks

Litter tray under the stairs is fine, is it nice and private for her. Trouble is in shutting her in one room is she might need to use her litter tray while you're out, she won't be able to get to it unless you put another one in the room she's in, is that possible. Have you got some old boxes for her to sit in.

With the front door, you can always go in carefully - if you carry a bag, hold that in front of your legs in case she tries to bolt out. Saying that, it's unlikely she will and you'll soon get a better sense of how she reacts to the door being opened. Obviously be careful if you have children, visitors and tradespeople in that they don't let her out at the front.

Thanks both. I'll look to get some boxes when shopping tonight. Don't really like the idea if leaving her in one room (probably the comfy living room) but if I need to for the first few weeks whilst she settles & we gauge how likely she'll be to bolt for the door can I move the litter tray back to the hall in the evening...or would this confuse her? Only got one tray at the moment & wouldn't be keen on having one in the living room tbh

Kittens don't really dart. They kind of bounce but get easily distracted by random bits of fluff, she won't make it to the door.

Get her microchipped. One of my cats went missing and it was heartbreaking. Every fluffy thing that now comes into my home is chipped.

You need a laser pen. Very important for kitties to chase the red dot.

Don't be surprised if she finds her own bed and scratching post! Mine like to lie down on the back of the sofa and scratch the dining chairs, little devils.

She might hide somewhere for a while until she feels safe, give her time to settle in.

Don't forget pictures when you can, we need to see her!

That's lovely. Hope you enjoy your life as a cat slave . You could restrict her to a few rooms and close the doors to the other, then at least you'll have a fair idea of which direction she'll be coming from. Sounds like she's gonna be one very spoiled lady!

Thanks for all your suggestions. Definitely getting her chipped, can't get an appointment till next week though so definitely going to be hot on making sure she doesn't escape.

I'm fully expecting her to be a madam & shun the bed & toys....When I met her in the rescue she let me know that she knows she's a diva 😁😁

Bring on being a cat slave 😁😁 will post some pics when she's settled.

Thanks again

Well without jinxing things my new girl has settled in like a dream!! She's eating well (bit fussy at times), playing with her toys, using her tray (we've had no accidents!) And is sleeping on the bed & sitting on our laps etc. Today we had our first vet trip for her chip....man that was tough! So she's been extra cuddly since then. I'm totally smitten with her 😘😘

Here's a requested pic

Ahh, she’s a beauty. What lovely shiny fur!
Sounds like she’s settled in really well. And that you’re well and truly under the velvet paw.

She's gorgeous. What a beautiful coat. So glad she's settling in well

Oh what a beauty! I hope you have many many years of kitty love ahead.

Oh how gorgeous! Settle in well darling girl.