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

You are getting a new kitten, which is incredibly exciting! Kittens are playful and energetic, so they will undoubtedly bring lots of joy and happiness to your home. Raising a kitten requires a lot of attention, and the little animal also needs routine. Additionally, moving to a new place without its mother, brothers, and sisters is very exciting and stressful for a kitten. Therefore, it is important to make good preparations both for yourself and for your home. In this blog, we give you tips to ensure you are well prepared for the arrival of your new housemate, so 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 wonder what you need to get for your new kitten. It is important to purchase some basic necessities: specially formulated kitten food, a food and water bowl, cat toys, a cat bed, a cat collar with a tag, a scratching post, a litter box and litter, and a travel carrier.

Additionally, it is advisable to remove any objects that could potentially be dangerous for a kitten. Kittens are incredibly curious and, of course, don’t yet understand that they should only play with their own toys. Therefore, pick up loose items from the floor, secure electrical outlets and loose (electricity) cables, and put away cleaning products and medicines. Many cats also have a special fascination with toilets. Train yourself to always close the toilet lid after use to prevent the kitten from falling in, which can have unpleasant consequences. Finally, pay close attention to any (house)plants, as some plants are very dangerous for cats! You can find a list of toxic houseplants for cats here.

The right kitten food

It probably won’t surprise you, but a kitten needs to eat 😊 It is wise to feed the same food initially that the kitten received from the breeder, shelter, or foster home. Changing food can cause stomach and intestinal issues. Since the first period in a new environment is quite a change for a pet, switching food immediately is especially stressful. After this period, you can decide to continue feeding the same food or switch to another type. If you choose the latter, do so gradually by mixing a small amount of the new food with the old food and gradually increasing it over 7 to 10 days to prevent digestive problems.

Specially formulated and complete kitten food is essential for growing kittens. Kitten food contains all the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development. From about one year old, cats can switch to adult cat food.

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 into a healthy adult cat. You can find more information about Riverwood Kitten here.