Bringing home your new kitten

    So you got a new ragdoll kitten! What’s next? What can you do to prepare? Here are a list of things to get your new baby

    Your kittens has already had 2 core vaccinations, 3 deworming and spayed/neutered Please take your new baby to the vet within 72 hours to confirm health of your baby and to book his final vaccination which will include rabies.

    ( This will be roughly 4 weeks AFTER their last Vaccination )

    Kitten proofing your home

     

    • Food and Water Bowls. Your kitten has lots of energy, so select bowls that won’t tip over too easily
    • Litter Box. Make sure the box is roomy to prevent scattering litter around the house
    • Litter, we suggest hardwood pellets of your brand choice, We use Canwick Hardwood pellets available at canadian tire
    • A bed 
    • A cat tree for scratching. cats love to scratch
    • nail clippers
    • treats
    • food that your breeder feeds as well as a brand of your choosing should you choose to switch foods
    • a metal comb for brushing
    • toys ( they love teasers) 

    They Like to Paw and Chew

    Kittens are a lot like human babies; they learn about the world around them with their eyes, hands (well, paws), and their mouth. Cats are playful animals, regardless of their age, with an innate love to paw around and play with anything they can find on the ground. That last part is important; you may think your floors are clean, but if you get down on your hands and knees, you’ll probably find items that can cause problems for your kitten. 

    WARNING:

    KEEP AWAY FROM KITTENS & CATS

    Here’s what you should look out for and remove from behind couches and shelves before bringing your kitten home:

     

    • strings
    • twist ties
    • hair ties
    • ribbons
    • rubber bands
    • plastic bags
    • sewing supplies
    • doll/toy accessories
    • small board game pieces
    • erasers
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    Although loose items are easy for your kitten to paw and swallow, there are many other things in your home she’ll try to chew, including electrical cords. Tape down any wires that can’t be removed from your kitten’s reach, even if they’re used permanently for a device you’ll have to move with them. When you use temporary items like an iron, however, that dangling cord can be just as tempting to a young kitty. She may think it’s something she can play with, but she could get seriously hurt if she pulls the iron off of the ironing board. 

    Aside from electrical cords and cables, you should also secure telephone wires, curtain tie-backs, and the cords on blinds, all of which seem harmless to your new kitten. Don’t forget these items during your kitten proofing process!

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    Not All Plants Are Healthy

    Houseplants add some greenery to your home, but be careful what your new kitten has access to. Philodendron, lilies, mistletoe, and poinsettia are a few of the more toxic houseplants that could make your kitten very ill with constant exposure. Lilies, azaleas, and daffodils are common garden plants that are toxic for kittens as well. Similarly, it’s important to check and be sure any cut flowers you bring into your home are safe for kittens to prowl around.

     

    Please see our cats and plants page at https://www.omgcattery.com/plants-and-cats

    Keep the Lid Closed

    Cats and kittens are always on the lookout for water they can take sips of throughout the day. One easy spot to drink from is the bathroom toilet. It’s gross to you, but not all cats are that taste-sensitive, and there’s always water available here if she’s thirsty. Be sure to keep the lid closed on your toilet if there’s a kitten in your home. With the lid up, your furry friend could also fall in and potentially drown. Other containers in your home you should keep closed? Garbage cans, laundry bins, washer & dryer. You wouldn’t want your kitten to get trapped inside and be unable to escape.

     

    Hot Spots Are Unsafe

    Although your kitten enjoys warmth, it’s up to you to make sure she’s safe in these comfortable areas. Whether the warmth comes from a fireplace or wood stove, reinforce that these hot spots are not a place for napping. If necessary, regulate your cat’s access by moving her climbing surfaces or waking her up after a certain amount of time. Ultimately, make sure all electric heaters stay unplugged and stored properly when not in use. If they are plugged in, supervise the heater at all times to keep your entire family safe from overheating.

     

    Check Small Spaces

    Cats love to snuggle away in warm, small places. Before closing the dryer door, for example, be sure your kitten didn’t sneak in for an afternoon snooze. The same goes for other quiet places such as dresser drawers, baskets in closets, refrigerators, and freezers

     

    Lock All Window Screens

    Every patch of sunshine has your kitten’s name on it, and she’ll snuggle on your windowpanes to get the most of this natural warmth. When kitten proofing your home, check all the screens on your windows and doors, even if it’s in the winter. You don’t want to forget to do this in the spring or summer when your cat is already accustomed to her surroundings. If a screen isn’t properly locked, your cat can end up in a dangerous situation. To be even safer, purchase cat-proof window screens as well as cat proof blinds. Not only are the cat-proof screens safer, but they also last longer than regular window screens, because they don’t get torn up as easily.

     

    Stock Up on Her Favorite Toys

    The busier your pet is, the less likely she’ll get in trouble. Kittens love to play, so invest in some toys she can play with when she’s finished with her nap. As you can imagine, she’ll love fake mice and jingly balls, which make just enough noise for you to know where she is at various times during the day. Expect your kitten to alternate between playing with you and napping on your lap. We do send home some toys to start you! 

    Be Patient When Kitten Proofing Your Home

    Whether your new cat is young or old and wise, it’s tough for her to learn all the house rules at once. A kitten might avoid all the wires or loose objects on your floor, but be highly interested in climbing curtains or jumping up shelves. She may scoff at her water bowl and sip from the sink. Make the transition to her new home easier by keeping her contained in a small cat-friendly room temporarily while she is learning, then slowly allow her access to more and more of the house as she becomes accustomed to the rules. When letting her roam around and explore her new settings, make sure to keep a watchful eye on her at all times. 

    If she gravitates to an area that you notice might be unfit or dangerous for her take the necessary precautions to keep her safe. It’s important to redirect your kitten while addressing any safety issues in a calm, loving manner. 

    Finally, it is never a good idea to punish a kitten or cat for misbehaving. She is still learning the rules of your house and might not know better. Punishing a cat can actually make the situation worse causing her to become stressed and reclusive. Proper training and rewarding her for good behaviors will help her learn what is acceptable. If you notice she is being a little ornery, just direct her back to her toys or her scratch pad. Your pet is learning and is looking to you for direction. Have the same patience you would with a young child learning to take in the world for the first time and your bond will go stronger and stronger.

    Feeding

     

    When you bring home your new kitten she will already have been weaned onto solid food. She will come with the current food we are feeding as well a coupons to buy more! While you may decide to keep feeding her the same brand and type of food, if you change her food, do so slowly by mixing a small amount of the new food and gradually increasing it over the course of a week to prevent digestive problems. Along with quality kitten food, make sure your kitten has easy access to clean, fresh water. Do not give her milk, it will upset her stomach. Despite what you might have heard about cats enjoying a bowl of milk or cream, the fact is that cats can’t properly digest dairy and these types of treats may result in diarrhea, which isn’t a treat for either one of you.

    It is important that your kitten ALWAYS have access to their dry food and water.
    They will NOT over eat.

    We feed Fromm® Gold Kitten food

    Fromm Family Kitten Gold Food for Cats is formulated to provide your kitten, gestating cat, or lactating cat with complete and balanced nutrition.

    Product Line:Gold
    Recipe Type:Dry
    Life Stage:Gestation/Lactation and Growth

    Feeding Recommendations

    Features & Benefits

    • Produced at Fromm’s family-owned-and-operated facility
    • High nutrient digestibility and utilization
    • Third party pathogenic bacteria testing on all production batches
    • Fromm’s specially developed blend of probiotics

    Learn more at https://www.gofromm.com/kitten-gold-cat-food

    Source: https://www.gofromm.com/kitten-gold-cat-food

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    Litter Training and Socialization

    Litter box training should be near the top of your priority list on your kitten’s first day home. Kittens that stay with their mothers until they are fully weaned usually learn a litter box’s purpose by watching their mothers. Typically, your kitten will already know what to do, and your only job will be to show her the box. You may need to remind her where the box is and use positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, until she gets used to using it on her own without any prompting. At this stage, it might be helpful to have a couple of litter boxes around the house, just to make sure she has easy access to one while she’s figuring things out. Remember your new baby kitten is just like a potty training toddler! 

    Beyond potty-training, training a kitten is usually about establishing and reinforcing boundaries and household rules. Again, rely on positive reinforcement to train your kitten, and avoid punishing her or speaking to her harshly. Never, ever hit or shake your kitten. Instead, ignore her when she’s behaving badly and give her affection, treats and praise to reward her good behavior. If ignoring isn’t an option, redirect her attention to something else. For example, if your kitten bites or scratches your hand, give her a toy to play with instead. If she scratches the furniture, patiently redirect her to a scratching post or pad. If all else fails, give her a time out by confining her to base camp until she calms down.

    Despite what you might think, cats are actually trainable in other ways too. Much like puppies, kittens are very smart and have the capacity to learn a lot — their independent nature may make it seem otherwise. With training any pet, it takes patience. Start with simple commands like calling her to come to her name. Then, you can slowly introduce other commands such as sit, lie down and stay. Again, it’s important to use positive reinforcement if you want these actions to continue as she gets older.

     

    Kittenhood is a crucial time for socializing your cat. In order for her to grow into a well-balanced adult, she should be played with and comforted frequently and also exposed to as many new sights, sounds, smells, and sensations as possible. While she’s young is the best time to get her used to things such as wearing a collar, riding in a pet carrier, riding in a car, and tolerating grooming tasks like bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and tooth brushing. Keep in mind that she is still a kitten and is experiencing the world for the first time. There may be times where sights or sounds frighten her. In these cases, it is important to comfort her and understand when too much stimulation might be enough, and you can take her back to her safe place to rest. As she starts to get used to these things, you can slowly introduce more stimuli. However, you might find yourself surprised — kittens have a curious nature and you might find that they can be fearless and explore more than you’d think. How else can you explain a small kitten willing to snuggle up next to a large dog?

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    We use Catit Peas husk litter

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    Play

    Beyond just socialization, kittens need to be played with to get their exercise. Not only does this help form a bond between the two of you, but it also helps get the blood flowing for her, which is vital to her healthy development. Set aside time each day to play with her, whether it’s having her chase a mouse on a string or a light around the room, to ensure she gets her adequate daily exercise. This will also ensure that your kitten is tuckered out before bed time, which leads us to our next kitten topic….

    This is the scratching post I reccomend:

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    Link to Product
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    Sleep

    Kittens sleep a lot at a young age — like between 16-20 hours a day a lot. For this reason, it is important that she has a comfortable place to take a nap and sleep at night. You might be tempted to want to keep her in your bedroom, but unless that’s where you want to keep her litter box, it is best to section off somewhere in the house that is just for her. This will allow her to get comfortable in her own space without disturbing your own. It’s not uncommon for kittens to wake up in the middle of the night and meow loudly, hoping to get your attention, but unlike babies that cry at night, you should do your best to ignore them. Slowly, they will learn that nighttime is for sleeping, and you’re not going to come to her every cry. It also avoids setting a bad precedent where you have to get up every night.

    Cat Beds

    We have cat bed’s available for purchase to take home with your new baby. They are home made by a friend and are a favorite among many of our cat’s, kittens and pet owners! 

    Patterns are all different and can be shown to you prior to pick up. They are made to last and are only $55.

    We use them for our cats because they are sturdy, washable and last a long time not to mention they are LOVED by the cats. 

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    New Home Stress

    Going to a new home is one of the most stressful and frightening experiences in a cat or kitten’s life. Compare it to the stress we would experience if our homes burned down, we were fired from our jobs, and our friends and family disappeared—all in the same day. Adult cats are very territorial, prefer being in familiar surroundings. and don’t like change. Kittens adapt more readily, but all cats would benefit from a gradual transition into a new home. Some cats adapt readily to their new homes and are contentedly purring away in their new owners’ laps in a few hours, while others may take days or weeks. Some may spend the first few days or weeks hiding until they feel safe in their new environment. Regardless of  how much love you have to give, your new pet find you and your home strange and frightening. You can minimize the stress your new kitty experiences if you follow a few simple rules.

    There are some common signs of a stressed cat, both physical and behavioral:

    PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS  

    • Diarrhoea  
    • Vomiting  
    • Large bald patches or sores on the coat caused by over grooming  
    • Runny nose and eyes (e.g. cat ‘flu’)    
    • Eating non-food items such as plastic or wool (this is called ‘pica’)  
    • Poor appetite or eating less than normal  
    • Looking lethargic and sleeping more than usual  
    • Excessive eating and/or drinking  
    • Sudden weight loss or weight gain  
    • A poor coat condition  
    • Not going to the toilet as often as usual (faeces and/or urine)  
    • Frequent squatting, painful urination with blood in it (e.g. cystitis).  

    BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS

    • Any noticeable change in your cat’s usual patterns of behaviour and routines  
    • Toileting outside of the litter tray (e.g. behind the sofa, under the bed, on the bed etc.)  
    • Spraying urine on furniture and other items around the home  
    • Scratching excessively on the furniture  
    • Aggressive behaviour directed towards you, your family or visitors  
    • Excessive meowing  
    • An increased dependency on you or your family, constantly wanting to interact  
    • Withdrawal from you and the family, no longer interested in interacting with you  
    • Unresponsiveness to things going on around them (they don’t jump or get startled by loud noises or quick movements)  
    • Constant vigilance and jumps at every sudden sound or movement  
    • Frequent hiding when in the home (e.g. under a sofa or bed, on top of a wardrobe)  
    • Reluctance to play – having previously been very playful  
    • Reluctance to come into the home  
    • Reluctance to go outside  
    • Excessive grooming  
    • Repeated pacing when in the home, often accompanied by loud meowing.

    OTHER SIGNS OF A STRESSED CAT

    You may notice your cat sits differently, their facial expression changes or they exhibit strange behaviours:

    • Often crouching and looking tense indoors
    • Ears rotate backwards frequently or flatten downwards
    • Wide open eyes with very dilated pupils which makes their eyes look black. Staring at the floor with a fixed, glazed expression
    • Rapid frequent grooming that usually lasts around five seconds, starting and stopping quite suddenly
    • Frequent head shaking Rippling, twitching skin on their back
    • Exaggerated swallowing and quick flicks of their tongue onto their nose

    Here is our tips that will help with stress:

    Step One: Setting Up A Neutral Territory

    Your new kitty should spend at least its first day or two in its own room. This is particularly important after spay/neuter surgery; when activity and stress should be limited. A quiet bedroom or bathroom with a window is ideal. It is a good idea to set the room up before kitty’s arrival or before you bring kitty in from the car. Place food and water dishes, a litter box, bed, scratching post, and toys in the room. Bring in the carrier containing the new cat, close the door to the room. and open the carrier door. Allow the cat to come out and explore at its own pace. The limited area also assures that the cat knows where the litter box is and keeps it from dashing out an external door before becoming familiar with your home.  

    Being in its own room will allow the kitty to become accustomed to the sounds and smells in your home without the additional stress of confronting a complex physical environment. Let kitty adjust to her new territory. Visit the room often and talk quietly to the cat. Pet and hold the cat if they want attention. Extremely shy cats may need to be coaxed a little, but don’t overdo it.  

    When the cat is comfortable in this room, it will usually let you know by making motions to follow you or leave the room and explore the rest of the home. This may take a day, a week, or more. Leave the door open and allow kitty to explore at her own pace and be able to return to the safety of “her room” when she needs to.

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    Step Two: Introducing Kitty to the Rest of Your Home/Family 

    Homes With Small Children 
    If you have small children, it is especially important that they leave the kitty alone during this time. Small children make sudden loud noises and movements. they are particularly terrifying to cats. Introduce children gradually. Ideally, these visits should occur when the child is in a quiet, attentive mood. Tell the child. “We’re going to visit kitty now. We have to be very quiet and gentle, and move slowly, so that kitty will learn to trust us.” Do not leave small children alone with a kitten under 6 months of age. 

    Homes With Resident Cat(s) 
    Follow the same basic guidelines as Step one with a couple of exceptions. The newcomer must be given a safe place to retreat, and the resident cats must be given adequate time to get acquainted and work things out among themselves. 

    The new cat should stay in its own room for at least a few days. This room will then smell like the newcomer, and the resident cats will be more likely to treat the room as the newcomer’s territory. The new kitty will, thus, have a refuge when you finally open the door. This also allows both the newcomer and resident cat to become familiar with one another’s scents before their first face to face interaction. 

    Allow the kitty to come out of it’s room and explore for short periods when you are at home. If both cats are relatively calm, allow them to interact for about one hour, then return the new cat to its room. The time apart allows them to regain their confidence and sense or territory. It also allows them to process the information gained while they were together and encourages a favorable interaction at their next meeting. Continue this process daily, lengthening the amount of time they are together a little each time. Do not leave the new cat and resident cat alone together until they are fully acquainted. The introduction period is usually short with kittens. but takes longer with adult cats. 

    Be patient and give the cats plenty of time to adjust. Hissing and growling are normal first reactions to unknown cats. For the most part let them work out their relationship to each other. However, you should intervene if one is physically hurting or continually chasing/dominating the other one. By using a “start response” (loud noise, such as clapping hands, banging on wall, etc.), you can usually distract them long enough to offset an attack. Do the “start” when you see the “look” don’t wait for the attack to occur. Don’t scold the cats, but praise them when they become distracted and are acting appropriately. This gives positive reinforcement to the situation. If you act anxious, the cats will become anxious too. Be sure to give equal praise and attention to the resident cat and new cat. Do not get in the middle of a cat fight, it can be dangerous. It usually takes from 2 weeks to 2 months or longer for cats so establish rules for their territory. 

    Homes With Resident Dogs

     

    Introducing a new cat to a dog is similar so introducing it to other cats. The new cat needs it’s own territory or safe haven. However, before introducing your dog it is vital that the dog knows basic obedience. The dog needs so be in control at all times, especially if the dog has not lived with cats before. 

    You may want to start by letting the cat explore the house while the dog is not there. The cat will then be more comfortable and self-assured in this territory when confronted with a new, potentially stressful situation. When the cat appears fairly relaxed in most areas of the house, let them meet. The best way to do this is to introduce them while the cat is in a safe place, like on a counter, cat furniture, or in the carrier. Bring the dog into the room on a leash and keep at a safe distance. Observe their interactions. If the dog is growling or lunging, correct him by asking him to sit, lie down, or go to his place. Praise and encourage any friendly behavior. 

    Repeat this process for short periods each day. Keep the dog on a leash. let him wander around the house. Let the cat approach at will, or run and hide if it wants to. Continue to praise friendly behavior. Repeat these exercises for longer periods until both pets are comfortable and responding favorably. You will know when it is time to remove the leash and begin short supervised sessions. Never leave a kitten under 4 months of age alone with a dog.

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