How to bring a kitten safely into your home
It’s a wonderful day when you get to bring your little ball of fluff home! You’ll want to make sure your new kitten has the best start possible, so take your time and follow our top tips to help your pet settle in.
Things to do to make your kitten feel welcome
Kittens all have different personalities so let them take the lead when you first bring them home. It’s a step-by-step process that shouldn’t be rushed, so give your new pet time to explore their new environment and get used to their new surroundings.
Introduce family members slowly and keep petting and cuddles to a minimum so your kitten doesn’t get overwhelmed. This is especially important where there are young children as they’ll naturally be very enthusiastic about their new pet.
If you already own a cat, be sure to give both pets plenty of space so they can get to know each other on their own terms. Cats are territorial so it’s best to allow them extra breathing space so they don’t feel threatened.
If your cat or kitten is struggling to adjust to their new surroundings then calming cat remedy products could help to reduce their stress.
Place your kitten’s bed in a nice quiet spot and let them know it’s their special area.
How to prepare for your new kitten
Preparing your home for your new kitten is exciting as you put together all the essentials for your pet.
As well as the fun things, you also need to check out pet insurance: our wilko pet insurance has comprehensive cover for your kitten's needs as well as 24/7 vetphone support, which you can use to get help if something is wrong, or even ask about things like diet, training, and just about anything else!
Find a local vet, too. Give the house a good once-over to make sure there’s nothing dangerous your little kitten can get hold of.
Sort out in advance a quiet place where your new pet will be allowed to relax and make sure all family members know where it is. Now for the fun part of buying your new kitten toys and essential equipment. We’ve created a handy list of some of things you’ll need:
A scratching post – scratching posts provide cats and kittens with hours of fun and encourages their natural feline instincts without sacrificing your furniture! Show your kitten this is where they’re allowed to scratch without getting into trouble!
Somewhere to hide – cardboard boxes make great hiding places for kittens as well as under the furniture and behind curtains. If you’re looking for something a little more special, how about a Luxury Cat Tunnel that your kitten can snuggle into? It can be hooked over a radiator or used on the floor and is great for older cats, too.
Cat toys – Kittens are naturally very playful and in between naps they need lots of stimulation. A variety of cat toys are perfect to provide the type of interaction they’ll love.
A place to sleep – treat your new feline friend to a comfy cat bed they can call their own.
An area for food and drink – make sure their eating area is clean and use separate bowls for eating and drinking.
A pet carrier – cats and kittens can find travelling stressful, so make sure you buy a comfortable pet carrier. To help your pet feel more relaxed and reassured ask if you can take a toy with their scent on to put in the carrier.
Cat identity tube – these are really important for any cat and vital if your kitten ever goes missing. Simply attach the small identity tube to their collar.
What to feed your kitten
The right diet for your kitten will keep them happy and healthy. Cats aren’t vegetarian so without certain proteins in their diet your kitten could become quite ill.
Commercial cat food is the easiest way to ensure your kitten is getting the right amount of nutrients as they grow. Take a look at our huge cat food range that includes specially formulated food for kittens from top brands like Felix, Purina and Whiskas.
Don’t forget some kitten treats which are useful for training and rewarding them for good behaviour. We think they’ll love our range of dental treats that are great for their teeth, too!
Choosing the right cat litter
As a cat owner dealing with the litter tray is something you will have to think about. There are many different types of cat litter to choose from:
Scented vs unscented
Scented litter does a great job of masking smells but as cats are very sensitive to smells it’s a good idea to go for odourless litter.
Crystals
They control the odour better and last longer than clay litter.
Wood based
It’s lightweight, absorbent and biodegradable.
Clumping
It’s easy to clean up, but it’s heavy and isn’t biodegradable.
Non-clumping
It’s harder to clean up but absorbs large volumes of moisture so keeps odours away.
Whichever type of cat litter you choose, litter box cleanliness is a must.
Tips to keep the litter tray clean
Cats and kittens love to be clean so to help your new kitten stay happy and comfortable you’ll need to keep on top of their litter tray. A clean litter tray will also keep your kitten healthy and your house smelling clean!
Your go-to tool for the job is a scoop, which you should use daily to help keep the tray fresh. Follow these top tips to keep kitty happy:
- Add litter every two or three days
- Empty and wash the litter tray every week – simply use soap and warm water.
- After, sprinkle it with baking soda or add a filter to keep it smelling fresh for longer.
In case of any cat ‘accidents’ it’s a good idea to have a few cleaning products in the home, specifically designed to eliminate pet odours.
You can learn more in our pet owners' guide to a clean home!
Having fun with your new kitten
Kittens need quite a bit of sleep but when they’re awake they absolutely love to play and it’s your job to keep them entertained. As well as all the enjoyment you’ll get interacting with your new pet, it’ll also keep them out of mischief!
Have things like cardboard boxes, tunnels, bits of wool or string and of course, cat toys ready for playtime. A simple feather teaser cat toy will keep your little kitten amused for hours as you encourage them to chase and swipe.
A scratching post is essential to keep them entertained and keep your furniture intact! A climbing frame will help with mobility and balance for your developing kitten.
It’s a great idea to also have some tasty treats on hand to make playtime extra special and reward your kitten for their good behaviour.
We really hope you enjoy your new pawfect feline friend. We love cute kitten pictures, so get clicking and send them over to us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & X.
