What haven’t I considered for my kitten

[HeffalumpsDaughter]

Kitten is being collected on Thursday, (. I haven’t had a cat since I was a child and have never had a kitten. We have a box room next to the sitting room that I’ve set up to be the kittens. I’m debating with myself whether to put him in there when he arrives with the door open or shut? Also thinking maybe I could put a cat flap on the box room door so he can come and go and still have quiet if he wants.

Dc’s will be at my dm’s for the first 2 days so it won’t be too noisy for him. I have a bed, a cat tree with scratching post, a load of toys, the lady giving me the cat is giving me a blanket, should I get more? I also have a litter tray which is pretty close to the one he has already and lots of wood pellet litter. Lots of the same food and biscuits that he’s used to.

What have I forgotten? What else can I do to make him feel safe? I’m sooo excited to have him come and live with us. I’ve wanted a cat for about 15 years and it’s finally happening! Hopefully we’ll get him a playmate soon if we ever get approved by the local cat rescue.

How exciting! Don’t forget to show us a photo

Try and spend as much time with him as possible as he will probably look to you for cuddles and comfort. It's always good to put the time in with him to get a good bond with you - really pays dividends down the line!

Yes put him in the room with door closed to begin with to let him settle in. Depending on how confident he seems, you can then let him explore the rest of the house when he seems ready - for more confident kittens/cats this may be same day, a shy one may need up to a week in their room to get used to the family and the smells and sounds of the new house.

Sounds like you've got all the basics covered!

Make sure you kitten-proof in advance - kittens get into anything and everything! Windows need to be kept closed or on a secure ventilation setting (up to about an inch) only. Do you have house plants? Some are poisonous - most notably lilies in all forms are lethally toxic. Any small gaps such as under or between kitchen units, open fireplaces etc. should be protected. If you have any ornaments or things you feel attached to, maybe put them somewhere safe for now when he's small!

Confine him to a single room for the first couple of days - don't put a cat flap in. Having the run of the house would overwhelm him all at once and he'd likely hide away. I made that mistake and spent a night dismantling kitchen units (only to find kitten behind the sofa in the end).

Cat wipes are a good idea in case the change brings on an upset tummy.

Book a vet's appointment to get him registered and the vet will also sort out kitten-appropriate flea and worm treatment, and advise on when you should book him in for castration and microchipping.

A hot water bottle or heated pad are a good idea for overnight, as he will be missing his litter-mates and this gives the sensation of sleeping with his warm cat mummy.

You don't mention water - make sure he has access to a waterbowl.

Good luck and please post a picture!

You haven't considered the second kitten...

Feliway

This was him when I went to visit him a couple of weeks ago 😍

I’ll keep the door to his room shut with no cat flap to start with then. I can sit in there with him but it’s a fairly small room, do you think he’ll be ok or should I put him in a bigger room?

I’ve got time off work to settle him in. I don’t know how much interaction to give him, I don’t want to overwhelm him.

My goodness what a beautiful kitten. Congrats he is so cute. Squeeee..

Be guided by him as to the interaction. He will show you if he's had enough by going off to sleep. The size of the room isn't too important as long as you can be comfortable in there with him - it will only be for a few day, and then you can start introducing him to the rest of the house.

He is gorgeous!

We got our kitten in November at 12 weeks old. I was expecting him to hide and be afraid for a few days but the complete opposite. He walked out his carrier and immediately explored the room and promptly made himself at home. He never hid and it was like he was with is forever. So he may be absolutely fine!

That’s lovely neversleep. Is your kitten friendly now? A few people have told me not to get a kitten as you never know what their personality will end up like. Two of the cats we had as a family when I was little never liked people at all - they’d come in for food but leave the room as soon as someone came in. I’m really hoping this cat will like me a little bit more than that!

I’m planning on having him as an indoor cat. I work from home so he shouldn’t get lonely. I’m just going to follow his lead though and if he seems desperate to go outside when he’s bigger I’ll let him.

Another kitten obviously...

Yes you need two so don’t wait too long. Can you cat proof the garden. He is gorgeous is he a posh cat?

Have you considered that you are now a servant?

No, I don’t think he’s a posh cat. A lady down the road found a pregnant cat and this is the last kitten left after various other neighbours suddenly quite fancied a kitten. If he is posh he’ll be in for a disappointment when he gets here.

We registered to adopt a cat from our local shelter but they won’t consider offering us one until they’ve done a home check. We registered nearly a year ago and despite chasing they don’t seem to want to let us have a cat . I’m still hoping it will be done soon and we can get a playmate for this little one from the rescue.

We can’t really cat proof the garden. It’s already a meeting place for all the cats in the area as they like to sit on my chicken run and eye up the chickens.

Our dcats were scared of ours - or should that be chicken??

They are terrified and all bugger off if I ever let the chickens out. But when they’re contained they sit on top of the run and pretend they stand a chance of catching them .

Tunnels. Mine loved tunnels when she was tiny. I got a four way one and she spent hours dashing around inside then popping her head out he middle.

Also a small teddy. My kitten is now eight months and she still carries her teddy about the house!!

Lots of fleece blankets. I spent a small fortune on cat beds - she sleeps on the sofa!!!

He’s here and has hidden in a cupboard full of blankets for the last two hours. Should I put his food and litter tray in there with him? He saw where they were by the bed I put him in when he got here. As soon as I turned my back he darted up to the cupboard and doesn’t seem keen on coming out. Should I just leave him to it? I don’t want to frighten him but I’m worried he can’t remember where his food/ water is.

You'll be cursing him when you find that all your blanket have cat hairs on them.
He'll come out when he's hungry.

Leave him, he will come out when he wants to. He won’t wee in there.

Thank you so much for advice. He’s such a pitiful little thing. I felt awful taking him away from his mum, he cried all the way home .

He’s still sat in his airing cupboard although he’s crept out at some point and had a nibble of foodz

He feels safe there and probably is listening and learning about his new home in there. He will appear when he is ready. Glad he’s popped out for food.

Just pop in and talk to him every so often- he'll be able to get used to the sound of your voice.

Oh, and once you've got him registered at a vet- get pet insurance.

Pet insurance! As soon as you can.

What a little sweetie 😍