Getting your house in order will ensure that your kitten has a safe and secure environment when they arrive. Follow these steps to kitten-proof your home before you welcome your newest family member home.
Remove dangerous obstacles
Your kitten is a curious little pet that will want to play and explore. Your job is to make sure that dangerous items that they could chew through or swallow, such as electrical cords, yarn and string, are out of harm’s way.
Store chemicals securely
Make sure you store any hazardous chemicals – such as bleach or floor cleaner, as well as any medications – are out of your kitten’s reach, as their curiosity can easily get them into a lot of trouble.
Secure the premises
You’d be surprised at the tiny spaces your kitty can squeeze through! Make sure all windows and doors are securely shut to prevent your pet from taking off on an outside adventure without your knowledge.
Consider installing child-proof latches on your cupboards and drawers to keep your kitten safe from the items inside.
Get your family into the habit of keeping the toilet seat down and your laundry machine closed so your inquisitive kitten doesn’t endanger themselves.
Organise their bed
Kittens spend a lot of time sleeping, up to 16 hours per day on average. All this rest helps with growth and development. It’s essential that you provide a comfortable bed to snuggle in that’s warm, cosy and safe.
Gather the toys
Kittens need lots of toys to play with as they are extremely active. Have a variety of wand, catnip and puzzle toys on hand to keep your kitten entertained.
Put away fragile items
Kittens and breakable objects aren’t the best match. If you have any fragile vases, ornaments or other such items on display, it’s recommended that you store them somewhere else while your kitten is still young.
Even if these items are placed high up, remember that your new furry friend is very agile and loves to climb!
Prepare your kids and other pets
If you have young children, it’s important to explain to them that they must be gentle with the new kitten. Children will want to snuggle and play. At first, this must be limited as your kitten needs a lot of rest and may feel overwhelmed. Introduce your new kitten to your family (both humans and pets) slowly and give everyone time to adjust.
Find a good litter and tray
Litter is an essential on the kitten checklist and it’s best that you find a litter and tray that your kitten is comfortable with sooner rather than later, so they can start using it. You may need to trial several varieties of litter before you find the best one for your kitten.
Use our Litter Finder tool to match with the litter that best suits you and your cat!
Be ready for accidents
Kittens are very clean pets. That said, they’re bound to have the odd accident just like any other pet, so it’s best to be prepared.
Have clean-up products on hand that are pet-friendly, as this is the best way to avoid mishaps with chemicals.
Remove dangerous plants
Did you know that many common household plants are toxic to cats? Do a sweep of your indoor and outdoor houseplants to ensure that your new pet doesn’t come into contact with anything that will harm them.
Don’t forget their food
As obvious as it sounds, make sure you’re well-stocked with wet and dry kitten food before you bring your kitten home. Look for food that’s specially formulated for kittens and, if possible, start with the food they were fed at their old home– you can always transition to something better later.
If you’re not sure what’s best, try our Cat Food Finder tool or just ask a friendly Petbarn team member.
Treats are also important, as you can use them to reward your kitten when you’re working on their behaviour.
A scratching post is a must
Scratching is a natural behaviour, so you don’t want to discourage it, but you don’t want your furniture ripped apart either. Have a scratching post in place from day one and make sure your kitten knows that it’s okay to scratch away on it.
Pick up a carrier
A good cat carrier is essential for transporting your new pet home and taking trips to the vet.
How to prepare for your kitten’s first night home
- Set their bed and supplies up in a small area
- Make sure to remove any potential hazard
- Don’t let them settle in your bed
- Make sure they can snuggle into a blanket if they want to
- If they are struggling to sleep, consider a crate for them to sleep in
- Ensure they have access to fresh water, food, and their litter tray
- If you hear them crying, just make sure they’re warm
- Be aware that they will take time to adjust to your sleep pattern
Have more questions about what your kitten needs to be safe and happy at home? The friendly team members at your local Petbarn store and Greencross Vets are happy to help.