Are you thinking about adopting a kitten, but don’t know if it will adapt to a new home or with another pet? Rest assured, this type of insecurity is quite common when installing a new resident, however, with the right care, we guarantee that the adaptation will go very well.
In this post, we will give tips on how to adapt a kitten, the necessary care and how to accustom it to another animal. Good reading!
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HOW TO ADAPT A KITTEN TO A NEW HOME
It is normal for the cat to feel uncomfortable in the first few days and be scared of the place, even more so as it is far from its mother and siblings. The time for a cat to get used to varies, but little by little he will lose his fear and soon he will feel at ease.
When you arrive with the animal at home, it is common for it to be afraid and hide behind the furniture, so don’t keep forcing it to leave there, let it gradually become comfortable to explore the environment.
Also, don’t be alarmed if your cat doesn’t eat or drink a lot of water in the first few days, because this is common since he will be in an unfamiliar place.
Another issue is that the pet may not use the litter box frequently, an action that will be normalized later.
If your house is busy with a lot of noise and people walking around, separate a quieter room for the cat to stay in the first few days. That’s because he will be scared due to the new environment, and noises can make him more agitated and less comfortable.
Put in the room where he is a warm bed, toys, a pot with food for kittens and another with water. Don’t forget to put a box with sand for him to do his needs, but away from the feeder and drinker.
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WHAT TO DO TO ADAPT A KITTEN TO THE PET THAT WAS ALREADY IN THE HOUSE
At first, it is not recommended to leave them alone in the same environment, as this can lead to fights between them. Start by letting them have eye contact only from afar and, as the days go by, bring them closer so they can smell each other.
When introducing them, do not place the new family member near the place where the other cat is most often, so as not to cause discomfort.
After a while, leave them together, always with you around until they have a good coexistence. If any of them feels uncomfortable, postpone the meeting and resume at a favorable time.
Whenever both show good behavior, it is important to reward them with affection, toys or snacks so that this attitude is repeated.
If the cat that was already living in your house behaves badly around the new resident, never fight with him. That’s because he can misinterpret what’s going on and consider the kitten as a threat.
Never pay more attention to one cat than the other, so as not to cause jealousy between the two, especially the cat that already lived in your home. Even after they get used to it, each one should have their own corner, that is, their bed, food, toys and sandbox.
7 TIPS FOR ADAPTING A KITTEN
To adapt your four-legged companion more easily, follow the tips below.
1. TAKE HIM TO THE VET
Taking the cat to the veterinarian is not only good because this professional can advise what is best for its adaptation, but it is also necessary to provide the animal with a better quality of life.
In addition, the vaccine and vermifuge are essential, especially for puppies, so be sure to take it to a professional.
2. MAKE THE KITTEN FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOUR PRESENCE
For the pet to feel right at home, he needs to be comfortable with the people around him.
In that sense, offer him a lot of affection and attention, help him to practice physical activities (like playing), don’t force him to do what he doesn’t want and avoid fighting with him in the first few weeks.
3. INTRODUCE THE HOUSE TO THE NEW RESIDENT
After leaving him a little more reserved in a room in the house, it is interesting to take him around the house, in addition to leaving him outdoors, as the animals need to be in an open and more ventilated space.
A little sunbathing in the morning is also good for the pet, but be careful not to leave it for too long, especially kittens and elderly cats, as too much sun can be harmful.
4. IF POSSIBLE, PERFORM CASTRATION WHEN IT IS STILL A PUPPY
Do not postpone the moment of castration too much. The ideal is to start the process after the first six months of life. Learn more about the procedure in the post we prepared exclusively on this subject.
5. TAKE GOOD CARE OF THE PUPPY’S FOOD
When consulting your veterinarian, don’t forget to ask him which is the best feed for your cat’s age and characteristics. In general, kittens need specific feeds to have a good development.
6. TRAIN HIM
In order for your pet to understand that he has a friend (you), you need to train him. For example, you can teach him the right place to relieve himself and not climb on beds and sofas.
7. AVOID EXCESSIVE CONTACT
It’s really hard to resist the urge to hug a kitten, but that’s not good for the feline, as he’s still getting used to the house and the tutor.
Excessive contact can scare him off. Maybe he’ll return the kindness of a hug with a few scratches, but that’s common with cats. Don’t worry and don’t pressure him, little by little he will get used to you.
