A new kitten in the house: what do you need to know?

You are getting a new kitten in your home, how awesome! Kittens are playful and energetic so will undoubtedly provide a lot of companionship and happiness in the house. Raising a kitten requires a lot of attention and moreover, the little animal also needs routine. In addition, it is very exciting and stressful for a kitten to move to a new place without its mother, brothers and sisters. It is therefore important that you make good preparations for both you and home. In this blog we give you tips that will ensure that you are well prepared for the arrival of your new housemate, so that the little four-legged friend will quickly feel at ease.

Make your home kitten-proof

If you have decided to welcome a little house tiger, you will surely be wondering what all you need to purchase for your new kitten. It is important to purchase some basic supplies: specially formulated food for kittens, a food and water bowl, cat toys, a cat bed, a cat collar with a badge, a scratching post, a litter box and cat litter, and a carrier.

In addition, it is also advisable to remove any objects that might pose a danger to a kitten. Kittens are very curious and do not yet understand that they can only play with their own toys. Therefore, remove loose objects from the floor, secure electrical outlets and loose (electrical) cables and clean up cleaning products and medicines. Many cats also have a special fascination with toilet bowls. So teach yourself to always close the lid of the toilet after your visit, to prevent the kitten from falling in with all the unpleasant consequences. Finally, pay close attention to any (house) plants, as some plants are extremely dangerous to cats! A list of poisonous houseplants for cats can be found here.

The right kitten food

It will probably not surprise you, but a kitten has to eat 😊 It is wise to give the first period the same food the kitten received at the breeder, in the shelter or in the shelter. This is because changing food can cause gastrointestinal problems. Because the first period in a new environment is quite a change for a pet, immediately switching to different food is extra stressful. You can decide after this period to continue giving the same food or to switch to other food. If the latter, do so gradually by mixing a small amount of the new food with the old food and gradually increasing it for 7 to 10 days to avoid digestive problems.

Specially formulated and complete kitten food is essential for growing kittens. This is because kitten food contains all the necessary building blocks for healthy growth and development of kittens. Once cats are about one year old, they can switch to food for adult cats.

Riverwood Kitten in the flavor Chicken & Duck with Salmon is a highly digestible, grain-free food that contains all the nutrients your kitten needs to grow up to be a healthy adult cat. Learn more about Riverwood Kitten here

Take it slow

Some kittens feel at home right away, snuggling up against you on the couch and need little to get used to their new place. Others need a little longer to adjust to their new surroundings. Either way, take it slow and adjust to the kitten's pace. In fact, most kittens will indicate for themselves to what extent they are ready for a new experience or not.

If you also have other pets in the house, it is extra important not to rush. If this is the case, it is advised not to introduce the other pets and the new kitten to each other right away, but to keep the animals separated for the first few days. You can let the other pets and the kitten roam freely separately from each other and take turns in each other's space, so that they become familiar with each other's scent and presence in the house. After a few days, you can introduce the animals to each other, but always do this under supervision! Keep a close eye on all animals and stop immediately if one of the animals shows stress signals. This means that the animal is not ready yet and then take a step back. When you notice that the encounters are going well, you can build this up a little further each time.

Finally, keep in mind that cats (and certainly kittens!) sleep a lot, about 13 to 16 hours a day. Sleep is the most important growth and recovery time for a kitten. During sleep, nutrients are processed and sufficient sleep supports the immune system of the young cat. Is your kitten sleeping well? Then by all means let him sleep and don't wake him up, but let him wake himself up.

Provide sufficient playtime

Although adult cats are generally known to have an independent nature, kittens have an enormous need for interaction and playtime. Kittens are energetic and therefore need playtime to avoid using their nails or teeth on people. Therefore, if a kitten does not get enough attention, chances are they will become destructive and express their energy on your furniture, for example. So make sure a kitten gets enough playtime. This is not only a fun opportunity to form the bond between you and your kitten, but exercise is also important for the kitten's healthy development.

Welcome sweet kitten!

A new kitten in your home is an incredibly exciting but fun period. With the above tips, you will be completely ready for the arrival of your little house tiger and the enjoyment can begin! Raising a kitten can certainly be a challenge, but when done properly you can enjoy all the love and fun of your sweet four-legged friend for years to come. We wish you and your pet tiger the best of luck!

Lots of cats already enjoy Riverwood every day. Would you also like your cat to enjoy our delicious kibble and are you curious which variety would suit your cat best? Answer a few questions here and order an inexpensive trial pack.