Do you want positive and joyful emotions every day? Get yourself a furry miracle - a kitten. However, the owner must understand that he is responsible for the four-legged family member, because he will have to get used to the new home and make friends. How does a kitten adapt to its new home? What do you need to know? What measures should be taken to make the baby feel at ease? How long does the whole process take as the kitten gradually gets used to its new home? You will find answers to these and other questions below.
First steps in a new home
If you find a pet you like in Murkosh (or want to adopt a cat somewhere else), you should know how cats react to a change of environment and new people in their lives. For a cat, a new owner and a new home are always stressful. Especially for some shelter cats. After all, many of them have already been betrayed by their owners once, so it is more difficult for them to trust a new person.
So what does it take to make your pet’s first steps in a new home joyful and not scary? Firstly, you should prepare for the cat’s arrival by purchasing in advance all the things he needs: bowls, food, a tray with filler, a bed, a scratching post. If you know your cat has a medical condition, consult with a shelter specialist (if adopting a cat from a shelter) and/or a veterinarian in advance and prepare medications.
Read more: Adaptation of a cat in a new home
Secondly, it will be better to limit the cat’s movement space to one room in the first days after moving. When the animal gets used to it, you can move on to getting to know the entire territory of the apartment. If there are other animals in the house, it is better to quarantine for two weeks. During this time, the cat will get used to foreign odors and will experience less fear when meeting new neighbors.
But the most important thing is, of course, the cat’s contact with the person. It all depends on you. Any pet, even the most fearful and offended by life, is still drawn to a person. If you are information savvy and patient, after some time the cat will give you tons of purring love.
The appearance of a kitten
The appearance of a new four-legged resident in the house is a significant event both for him and for the new owners. Cats experience stress when their environment changes, so you need to be well prepared for your pet. When preparing, you need to consider the following points:
- Comfortable environment. A cat may find a new space with many rooms intimidating. Animals experience fear and show wariness until they have fully explored the territory. To make it easier for your pet to get used to it, it is better to place it in a small room. After a few days, when he gets used to people and his room, the cat needs to be released to explore the rest of the room.
- A familiar bedding or house. Every cat has a favorite place, a cozy corner where it hides from prying eyes and retires. If the cat had its own house or bed, it is placed in a secluded place. This will create additional comfort and a feeling of peace. If a kitten appears in the house, which previously had no home, then you need to create a corner where it will be calm. A carrier, house or box is suitable for this purpose.
- Tray. In order for the cat to quickly get used to the tray, you need to place it in a safe but accessible place. If your pet is accustomed to one type of litter, you need to use it. If the cat had a litter box, he should move with her.
- Interior items. It is necessary to remove or rearrange vases, paintings, flower pots, and wires in advance, which the pet can damage in the process of mastering the space.
- Safety. Dangerous chemicals, powders, and medications must be removed, and the windows must be checked for screens so that the new pet is not harmed.
- Special devices. Cats need to sharpen their claws, so it is better to purchase a scratching post and install a climbing frame to keep the furniture intact.
- Other pets. If the new resident is not the only pet in the house, then the four-legged animals should not get to know each other right away. The cat needs to adapt so that it calmly accepts the presence of other animals.
How long it will take for a kitten to get used to a new place largely depends on the new owners. Another important factor is the age of the pet. If you take the animal when it is still very small (up to 1-1.5 months), then it will be difficult for him without his mother. At this time, the kittens are completely defenseless. Most likely, the kitten will constantly call its mother and look for the breast.
Therefore, experts do not recommend taking kittens away from their mother at such an early age. An exception will be made only for those unfortunate abandoned fluffies that you found on the street and decided to take in.
When adopting a kitten, you must understand that it needs care and attention. After all, in his previous family, he played all day long with his mother cat and his brothers and sisters
Here he is completely alone. It will be great if you can take a vacation or arrange your work schedule so that someone is always at home.
When you pick up your pet, ask the former owners for a small piece of the bedding on which he slept. Familiar and familiar smells will remain on it for a long time, and the kitten, smelling them, will know that he is safe.
Another trick is to put a wristwatch in the basket or box where the baby will sleep. Their ticking sounds are similar to the baby's mother's heartbeat. It will have a calming effect on the kitten.
Not all owners like their pet to sleep with them. It is necessary to accustom a kitten to a specific place to sleep from the first days. This should become a rule for him. If you decide to take pity on him and allow him to sleep at your feet for the first week, then in the future it will be difficult to rid him of this habit.
Contact with the owner
When taking an animal from a shelter or from its previous owners, be sure to find out about its habits and character, because cats, like people, have their own characteristics. To help the cat get used to its new owner, take with you his old toys or things that the pet is already accustomed to and knows their smell.
In the first days in a new place, the cat may behave suspiciously and distrustfully. Most likely, he will hide under the bed or in some corner of the room, and may release his claws or hiss. In this case, you should not put pressure on the animal or use force. Let him get used to it.
It is not recommended to leave the cat alone at home in the first days - it may become even more confused and cause trouble.
However, there are pets that make contact quite quickly. If this happens, pay more attention to the cat. You can start using toys, try combing her. Find out exactly how she likes to interact with you: sit on your lap, receive strokes, play, etc.
Animal psychologists recommend talking to cats. Japanese researcher Atsuko Seito, who studies the behavior of domestic cats, claims that they distinguish between voices. Thus, over a period of time, the cat will associate the voice of the new owner with warmth and care.
How to gain a cat's trust
If a cat has not trusted its new owner for quite a long time, there are several ways to establish contact with the pet:
1) Don't insist on communication. Cats are quite capricious animals and do not tolerate unnecessary encroachment on their personal space. Try holding out your hand to your pet first, let him gradually get used to your smell and become interested in you.
2) Use your gaze to reassure the cat that you are not a threat to her. Lie down next to your pet when he is in a relaxed state. Look at the cat and when she looks at you
answer, slowly close your eyes and open them again, doing this several times. Wait for the cat to do the same.
3) Pay attention to the animal's body language. If the cat is actively wagging its tail, something is wrong, try stroking it differently. If a cat wrinkles something with its paws, for example your clothes, it means that it is happy and affectionate. As a sign of affection, cats may lick or bite their owner's hand.
Read more about this: Why does a cat lick a person?
4) Many cats like to have their fur brushed. They perceive it as affection, making them feel safe and comfortable.
5) If you are not confident in your abilities or the case with a “non-contact” cat is particularly advanced, you can resort to the services of an animal psychologist. A competent specialist will give individual advice for adapting a cat with character to a new owner.
Read about an animal psychologist: Who is an animal psychologist and why is he needed?
Kitten in a new home
What is the difference between the adaptation of a cat and a kitten? How to help a kitten make friends with its new owner? Murkoshi employees also hear such questions very often.
As a rule, kittens have a much easier time adapting to a new place than an adult cat. The kitten should be given more attention, bought toys and not left alone for a long time.
However, even at an early age, some already experience difficult circumstances that affect the psyche. For example, a kitten could get hit by a car or lose its mother's care early. In this case, contact between the new owner and the kitten will not occur immediately. Pay attention to where the kitten hides when scared, and try to keep access to this place open so that he can safely hide in case of danger.
You need to talk to your baby calmly, without raising your voice, even when you accustom him to the tray and scratching post. You need to get used to using your hands gradually. It is better to start stroking the kitten after feeding, when he is relaxed and ready for contact.
In the first days of adaptation, the kitten may be frightened by music and loud sounds; all family members should be warned about this.
Perhaps the kitten will anxiously stagger and walk around the apartment - he is looking for his mother and mother's milk. Don't shout or disturb him, he should get used to it on his own. It’s also not worth picking up if the little cat doesn’t trust you yet and is stressed. Be patient, and you will still hear a gentle and grateful purr from him!
What can you name a boy kitten?
Names for male kittens: Albert, Asher, Velvet, Wulf, Gray, Dorian, Smokey, Cloud, Musk, Ash, Paul, Pierrot, Smokey, Dusk, Shadow, Tom, Chrome, Charlie, Sharkey, Shine, Jung.
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Items to improve your relationship with your pet
In order for a cat or kitten to get used to its new owner, you will need to purchase a number of auxiliary things. These could be the pet's old things that he is already accustomed to: a bowl, toys, bedding. This way the mustache will feel safe. When your cat finally explores his new home, you can purchase new things for him. The best ways to help you get closer are:
1) Bed or house. Cats love to have their own things - this will make your pet feel important.
2) New toys that the cat will associate with you. But it’s worth knowing that cats are quite picky in this regard: a cat can appreciate some gifts, but not others. First, try making a candy wrapper on a thread and start playing with your pet.
More about toys: Toys for cats: what are they?
3) A scratching post will allow your pet to relieve stress, and will also relieve you of tattered sofas and armchairs.
4) Comb-brush. As we wrote above, many cats really enjoy brushing with a soft brush. During the process, you can gently stroke her head, also establishing a tactile connection.
All of these items can help in bonding with the new owner, but remember that the main thing is how you communicate and behave with the animal. Rest assured, cats are good at feeling emotions, including apprehension and fear!
What a cat might not like
First of all, this is a rude attitude and raising the voice, not to mention the method of education with slippers and similar things. In the first days, you should not engage in strict training at all; let the animal feel safe. So, if the cat “made a puddle” upon arrival at its new home, do not scold it; over time, it will get used to the new tray.
Read more: How to train an adult cat to use a litter box?
The cat will also not like excessive attention in the first days. Be patient, because cats are very curious creatures. Within a few days, the mustache will show its interest. If this does not happen, consult a specialist.
You cannot stroke a cat’s belly and tail (unless she herself lies on her back and exposes her tummy - this is an indicator of deep trust) - such actions only irritate the pet and do not bring him joy at all. You should also not iron against the grain.
There is no need to immediately change the animal's diet. Cats have a sensitive digestive system, and stress can already have an adverse effect on their well-being.
Meeting other animals immediately upon arrival will definitely not please either you or your pets. Hissing, aggression and even fighting are possible - if, of course, they are allowed to contact without the supervision of the owner.
Read more about how to introduce pets: How to make friends between cats and cats?; How to make friends between a cat and a dog?
Under the same roof with other pets
It is important to introduce the kitten to other pets as soon as possible so that he can get along with them more easily and enter the new environment normally. Do not try to accustom him to rodents or birds, it is almost impossible
When introducing a kitten to other animals, you should remember: such acquaintance should take place gradually and under your supervision.
Dog As a rule, a balanced, sociable dog easily gets used to being around a kitten. Older dogs can sometimes be less tolerant, but after trying a kitten's claws, they usually subdue their aggression and get along well with the kitten in the future.
Another cat This is where the task can be much more difficult. An adult cat is very cool about the appearance of a kitten on its territory. Most likely, she will express her dissatisfaction with the kitten, since she is very reluctant to accept even the slightest changes in her habits. It can take months for an adult cat to become completely comfortable with a young cat. When introducing a kitten to another cat for the first time, do not allow either party to become aggressive. Take both animals to neutral territory for play and feeding. Do this until the cats get used to each other. This will help create a hierarchy between both animals that they will be forced to accept.
Some tips
- In the first days, maintain the privileges of the “old-timer” animal (dog or cat).
- Make sure your cat's litter box is in a quiet place. First, let the cat only into some part of your apartment, this will make it easier for her to get used to it, and she will not hide under the furniture out of fear.
- Use a cloth to wipe off the special secretion from the kitten's face and rub it on the lower part of the walls in all rooms so that the previous animal gets used to the kitten's smell.
Become a happy owner
Now that you have information about a cat’s adaptation to a new person in its life, you can safely choose your little bundle of joy at the Murkosha shelter. By the way, purebred cats do not always behave more affectionately than animals from shelters. This is just a myth; the risk of difficulties in adapting to a new home always exists.
The advantage of shelters is that you can talk to the cat in advance, come several times, and look at its behavior. It happens that the cat himself chooses the owner! He will reach out to you with his paw and win your heart forever.
Don’t be afraid of difficulties, and if you get a so-called “characteristic” cat, with the right approach to communication and care, it will definitely become your friend. But if such a cat once again experiences the betrayal of its owners and ends up in a shelter or on the street, trust can be lost for a very long time. Therefore, you need to love and care for your cat, regardless of its character!
Dangers here and there
Kittens are the same children. Their tiny mass is not yet a guarantee that these pranksters will not drop, break or tip anything over themselves. In addition, do not forget: babies have sharp claws that are eager to deal with furniture and curtains. The owner must first take care of the safety of the kitten’s premises by taking a number of important measures:
- Remove all flower pots from the windowsill . Even if the baby doesn’t knock them over, he will definitely mess around in the soil or chew up some of the plants, which, by the way, can be poisonous (cactus, violet, geranium flowers).
- Raise curtains if they hang too low . Curtains are the favorite “victim” of cats of all ages.
- Close the windows. The kitten can end up on the windowsill in no time and jump out the window if it seems more interesting outside.
- Remove all trash away from the kitten . Everything that smells delicious of fish and meat should be eaten - this is what all cats think. The baby can be poisoned or choke on any of the waste components. No less dangerous are the eggs of worms, which very often end up in the trash thanks to flies.
- The baby's teeth are already strong and sharp enough to bite through the wire . This is fraught with tragedy. All wires must be removed from the cat's eyes.
