ᐉ How to adapt a kitten to a new home?

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.

Adaptation of a kitten in a new home - useful recommendations

When to be wary

If a cat begins to hide in dark, cool places, then this is an alarming and not a very good sign. It is possible that in this way she is trying to get rid of high body temperature.

The increase in temperature is a consequence:

scared, scared
physical activity,
hot weather,
poisoning,
acute pain.

This condition quickly normalizes. But if the temperature rises sharply by several degrees and does not subside for a long time, then this is a sign of the development of pathology. In this case, the animal must be urgently shown to the veterinarian.

How to understand that a cat is not feeling well. At these moments, her behavior changes sharply, she stops eating, sleeps a lot, does not want to use the litter box, meows pitifully, hides in a dark place - this signals the onset of the disease. Other symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, mucus from the nose and eyes, and hair loss. When an animal tries to perch on a tile or cold floor, such behavior indicates its poor condition. Most likely, the pet needs medical attention.

As cats age, they increasingly desire privacy; they are irritated by noise and bright lights, so they take refuge in dark places. Old animals may partially lose hearing, vision, sense of smell, or become ill.

Many furry pets love to climb into bags and boxes; some manage to lie down in a vase or pan. This should not cause concern to the owner. You just need to be careful not to move the chair or chair abruptly, as the animal may sit under it and get hurt. Before turning on the stove or washing machine, first look inside to see if there is a fluffy ball there. Try not to let the cat's fun with hide and seek turn into a tragedy. Complete mutual understanding will be the key to a pleasant life together.

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Preparing for the arrival of a baby in the house

To ensure that the kitten’s first day in the new home goes without a hitch, the whole family needs to be prepared. How to do it? Here are some tips.

It took our Fluffy a long time to get used to it. I got used to it right away. I showed him where his toilet was: I put the cat in the tray and buried the sand a little with his paw. He looked at me and walked out of there. He understood everything perfectly. The only thing that did not please us was the meowing of our pet. All night he meows and meows, as if calling for his mother. I took him to my bed. He settled down at my head and after that he always slept in this place. If someone thinks that this is too much, then they can come up with their own methods to calm the kitten in a new home. Even now I say that Fluffy is my cat love for life.

From personal experience they can say that when we adopted a fairly adult kitten (about 4-5 months), for the first two days I was next to my “son”. I so wanted a cat in our family, and this joyful event happened. In advance, we purchased a bowl with two compartments for food and water, a tray, filler, a scoop for cleaning the “toilet,” and several toys (a mouse, a fishing rod). That's basically all our purchases. We didn’t buy food or a scratching post (that was our mistake).
If there are children in the new home (and most often this happens), then you need to explain to them the simplest rules of play and behavior with a kitten. You can also have a conversation with adults, especially if someone is against a furry, mustachioed, striped neighbor.
So that the kitten does not get used to it for a long time, and the owner does not count how many days have passed since the move, you can buy several fun toys for cat fun.
It is advisable to talk with all family members so that they do not disturb the baby, because how the kitten’s first days in the new home go depends on whether he will be able to adapt. Moving in itself is a serious psychological trauma. And if people leave him alone or, conversely, do not know how to stop being affectionate, then the adaptation will be delayed.
For adaptation to be successful on the first day, you need to think about the baby’s safety: remove wires from the floor, hide chemicals and detergents away, raise souvenirs and trinkets to a height.
How many days will adaptation take? It all depends on the character of the kitten. In some families, the pet meows for a week and does not understand where it is or what they are doing with it. In others, everything is accurate, but vice versa. 5 minutes after the excursion, the baby begins to run around the entire apartment and play with family members.

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.

How to behave when a kitten first comes into the house?

Usually a kitten gets used to its new home and family fairly quickly. At the same time, he meows (but not always!) when he wants to attract the attention of his new owners.

If there are children in the new home (and most often this happens), then you need to look at the relationship between the kitten and the younger members of the family. There is no need to allow children to treat the newcomer like a toy: pulling the tail, hugging him tightly, squeezing him endlessly is not allowed.
To avoid any unpleasant surprises later, you should show the furry baby where his “dining room,” “restroom,” and “manicure salon” are located. This means that the kitten will become familiar with the environment in the new home and will go to the toilet where it is supposed to; He will eat and sharpen his claws where needed. This way you can accustom the “recruit” to order from the first days.
If already on the first day the adaptation goes so well that the “recruit” lets loose without the supervision of the cat mother, then the owner needs to show his authority. The mother cat does this in the following way: she lifts the kitten slightly above the floor, biting the withers. In this place there is a bundle of nerves, when pinched, the kitten cannot move. Hanging in this state, the baby becomes literally “silky” and obedient. A person should take such actions. Observation from personal experience. Interestingly, in this hanging position the kitten looks like a Christmas tree toy. It spins and spins like a ball, and doesn’t even wiggle its paws. Hanging in the air, the furry baby doesn’t even meow, so as not to anger his mother.

How to start communicating with your baby?

As soon as a kitten appears in the house, we must not forget that he is scared. Just yesterday he was taken from his cat family. For the baby, the environment to which he is already accustomed has changed, so he will hide and cry.

This condition of the kitten usually lasts a couple of days. In order for a kitten to have a successful first day in a new home, you need to prepare accordingly. You cannot speak to him in a raised tone. Little by little you need to get used to holding hands, stroking them after the baby has eaten, then he is relaxed and in the mood for contact. If you pick up a fluffy in your arms against his will, he may become even more afraid. We need to wait, and soon he himself will decide to climb onto his owner’s lap.

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It is ideal to start interacting with your kitten long before it arrives at its new home. In this way you can determine the most nimble and open cat from the litter

First of all, you need to pay attention to the largest kittens, those who get to the mother's nipples faster than others. Such simple moments mean that agile babies get much more of the cat's milk, from which we can conclude that such kittens will be more resilient and stronger than their other brothers and sisters

During the adaptation period, a kitten can easily become frightened by loud noises; all people living in the house, in particular children, should be warned about this. The main rule looks like this: the conversation with the baby should be calm and quiet, and touching him should be gentle and leisurely. The owner's hands must be a source of peace and fun for the furry friend, in which case the kitten will get used to it much faster and begin to respond in return. As you can see, in order for a kitten to successfully adapt on the first day, he needs help.

How to adapt a kitten to a new home

So, you bought, or your friends gave it to you, a little fluffy dog. Don't worry, training and taming a baby is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. The main thing is to pay him more attention, generously showing care and affection. It is recommended to talk to your pet, stroking its fur, and then feed it. A kind attitude and warm words will help you establish trusting contact with him. Remember that the kitten will love you only after you love him.

It would be a mistake to leave your pet alone in the house for a long time. Most likely, he will hide in corners and avoid you most of the time.

Owners spend quite a lot of time training their kitten to use the litter box. Introduce your baby to the new toilet, and if he relieves himself in the wrong place, sternly but kindly, scold him and point to the litter box again. A naughty fluffy can be “directed” to the toilet by placing a piece of paper or cotton wool moistened with his urine: he will come to the smell.

Another sensitive point: getting used to a new sleeping place. If you do not want the kitten to spend all the time in your bed, you must immediately offer him a secluded, warm and soft corner where he can relax comfortably, if necessary, luring him with special mint from the zoological store.

Be patient and love, and the kitten will very soon get used to its new home.

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?

Adaptation of a kitten in a new home

"Fluffy antidepressants." This is what many affectionately call kittens. Indeed, you won’t be bored with them. However, when taking a baby into their home, almost everyone paints the future exclusively in rosy colors. Many owners sometimes do not understand that a kitten separated from its mother will have a hard time while it adapts to its new home and gets used to unfamiliar things and smells. How to help your baby get comfortable? To do this, the owner needs to prepare a little and, of course, be patient. The less stress the kitten experiences during this period, the faster he will get used to it.

Content:

Main reasons for seeking shelter

There are many explanations for why a cat hides in dark places. In some cases, the shelter is not always truly dark, but simply cool or, conversely, warm. There may be several favorite places for a pet, often they are well known to the owner. It is advisable not to disturb the animal at such a moment, because sometimes he needs to be alone with himself.

Why does a cat try to be invisible, let's name common reasons:

character trait;
the presence of another, older cat in the house;
the need to calm down after suffering stress;
anticipation of the appearance of offspring;
desire to play;
desire for security.

Timid by nature

By nature, some cats are sociable, while others prefer loneliness. Those who belong to the second category instinctively try to be “in the shadows” more often, which guarantees safety. Such a kitten will not sleep on a wide sofa with its tummy up, with its paws spread to the sides. Also, he will not once again catch someone’s eye. You can force him to come out of hiding with gentle words, a favorite treat, or a bright, entertaining toy.

If the cat is hiding, then you should not lure it out or put pressure on it. Perhaps something alarmed her, someone scared or offended her. She will go out on her own when she considers it necessary, wants to eat or take a walk. If you do not allow the predator to avoid an unpleasant situation, then its anxiety will only intensify.

Trying to get peace and comfort, even sociable cats hide. They may find a place for themselves in the linen closet or on the cool wooden floor under the bed. It all depends on whether the pet is cold or hot.

Away from the Boss

The presence of another cat or an older cat in the house causes the younger cat to hide more often. The owner can create a maze of boxes especially for him, through which he can easily get to a bowl of food or tray. The boxes must have multiple entrances and exits so that you can escape in time, avoiding a dangerous or unwanted collision with your opponent.

What to do if your cat constantly hides in a dark place. We need to keep an eye on her. If her health is fine, her fur is shiny, and her nose is wet, then the pet’s behavior is due to other reasons.

Relief from stress

After getting into an unpleasant situation or being offended, even the most sociable cat hides in order to survive the stress and regain equanimity. Cats get used to their home and don’t really like change. If a kitten is taken to another family, the naturally cautious animal will need time to adapt. In the first days, the pet will react sensitively to any sounds or movements, and if it senses danger, it will definitely hide.

When moving to another house, the cat becomes restless. For the first time, you can place him in a small room. Gradually he will get used to it and begin to explore other rooms. You will definitely need to take his bed, bowl, and tray from the old apartment. Having familiar things around will allow your pet to calm down a little and feel more confident.

Tamed domestic cats get used to it faster than those adopted from a shelter or from the street. It is not so easy to regain the trust of an animal that has lost its former home. It will take patience, a calm atmosphere and a kind attitude.

First acquaintance with new housing

Kittens are usually brought in special pet carriers, boxes, and sometimes just in their bosom. This does not change the essence of the matter. As soon as the owner crosses the threshold of his home, the first rule comes into force - do not force the kitten out of its secluded place. You can put your baby in a box or a special house designed just for him, where he will feel safe.

The second rule is that the kitten should start getting acquainted with its new place of residence in one room: bedroom, living room, kitchen. The carrier or house just needs to be placed on the floor. Once the baby calms down and makes sure that he is not in danger, natural cat curiosity will take over and he will risk going outside. If he does not see anything, in his opinion, suspicious and frightening, then he will boldly go explore the new territory.

At the same time, owners and their children should try not to make sudden movements or scream with delight, so as not to scare the brave baby. Otherwise, he will quickly hide in a corner or under furniture. But even if this happens, you cannot force the kitten out, this will only worsen the situation. The time will come, the pet will calm down and crawl out on its own.

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.

Dangers at every turn

A kitten is the same child, small and unintelligent. Every day he explores new territory, not even suspecting how many dangers may await him. What should the owner do to protect the baby?

Remove all flower pots
. It doesn’t matter whether they are on the windowsill or somewhere else. The kitten may not knock them over, but it can taste the leaves “to the teeth.” And some indoor plants can be poisonous.
Raise and secure the curtains
. Curtains and especially heavy drapes are a favorite pastime for cats, regardless of age. They love to climb on them. In the best case, the cats will simply tear off the curtain, in the worst case, they will fall down along with the curtain rod. In the worst case scenario, your claw will get stuck in the curtain fabric and your finger will be broken or dislocated.
Close windows and vents
. It's good if the apartment is on the first floor. Even after chasing a flying bird, butterfly or fly, the baby will simply jump onto the lawn under the window. The main thing is that he does not hide in fear in the basement, where it will be difficult to find him. It's another matter when the apartment is on the top floors of a high-rise building. A special peak of “catfall” occurs in the warm season, when windows and balconies are open. Therefore, it is worth taking care of a special durable mesh in advance.
Remove all litter from the cat's sight.
No matter how well-fed the pet is, animal instincts always kick in. And everything that smells good should be eaten or at least tasted. The result is overturned trash cans, dirt and intestinal obstructions. Even a small piece of plastic from fish or meat can cause trouble. And then you can’t do without the help of a specialist.
Hide the wires.
Kittens love to chew on them, which is fraught with tragedy.

However, even the most caring owners cannot always foresee everything. Therefore, if there is the slightest problem with the kitten’s health, they should consult a veterinarian for advice.

First approach

Cats are very routine animals and will be affected by small changes in daily activities. If you've just adopted one, it's normal to be suspicious and sullen. Besides not knowing who you are or what your intentions are, you will suddenly find yourself in a strange environment, full of unknown smells and without a single mark of your own scent, which is so important for cats to feel comfortable.

Arriving home is crucial for getting used to the new environment as quickly as possible. Some cats will feel at ease from the start, exploring and taking charge quickly, but this is not the most common occurrence.

When you adopt a cat, it is important that you anticipate the arrival and prepare everything for the event. Regardless of whether you live in a house or an apartment, it is best to set aside a room in the house for the first contact so that the cat can stay for a while without disturbing anyone. Don't forget to place in this room a tray with clean sand, containers with water and food, as well as what will be the cat's bed from now on. Of course, the tray should be located as far as possible from the feeder and bed, since cats are very neat animals. Let him stay in the room as long as he needs, sniffing, exploring or even if he continues to pout, when he feels ready he explores his surroundings, you just need to give him time and respect his rhythm.

How to make the adaptation period easier for your baby

Patience and affection are the basic principles that must be adhered to when communicating with your pet, even if the cat’s meowing makes you nervous. During the first few days, the baby will instinctively look for and call his mother. To help him calm down faster, you should ask the previous owner for a rag or blanket with the smell of the mother cat and put it in the kitten’s house. It’s even better if you wrap a warm heating pad in it. This will help relieve the baby's longing for his mother.

You should not pick up the kitten often until it gets used to it. However, playing with him during the adaptation period is simply necessary. This will distract him from pranks and direct his energy in the right direction. Moreover, games will contribute to the development of hunting skills, dexterity, flexibility - all those qualities that a cat would instill in him.

If the kitten is stressed due to addiction

In the first days of your kitten's arrival at your home, he may experience severe stress. Anxiety and restlessness on the part of the “mustache” can be easily determined by a number of symptoms outlined below.

Meow

If a pet constantly meows, then he simply misses his mother. In a couple of days, maximum a week, the condition should stabilize. Just in case, the process can be accelerated with a special fumigator with cat pheromones.

Hyperactivity

Mainly appears at dusk. It is better to ignore it for the first days. The feeling of freedom will help your pet settle in faster. But later, night runs that interfere with sleep should be stopped so that unwanted behavior does not have time to become a habit.

Shyness and secrecy

If the “mustache” moves around the apartment sideways with fluffy fur, crawls on its belly or simply hides, try not to put pressure on it. During the adaptation stage, interact with the baby only during feeding. In this case, you will gain a foothold in the cat’s head in a purely positive way.

Aggression

It is caused by fear, which prompts you to defend yourself from strangers located around you. This reaction is normal if someone tries to pet or pick up a pet. In this case, you just need to leave him alone.

Lack of appetite

Fasting for a few hours or even a whole day is not dangerous, so just make sure your pet drinks water. If this does not happen, forcefully inject it through a syringe.

Toilet problems

They occur even more often than loss of appetite. Mostly constipation is noted. If there is no stool for more than 1-2 days, and the baby looks completely healthy, then there is nothing to worry about.