Introducing a new pet to the family can be one of life's sweetest experiences, especially when it's a new kitten. Regardless if you are a child or an adult, we all melt when that new furry little friend becomes part of the family.
It should be quite obvious then, that your family would all like your new cat to live a long healthy life and bond tightly with the members of the household. You should expect to spend every day conditioning your cat with mild behavior training and direction, especially during the first few months as a kitten. You must lay the groundwork early on so that your new pet will be trained for a lifetime of good behavior.
For example, if you want your new kitten to use the litter box, scratch at his own scratching post instead of your furniture, or not get into the habit of nipping your fingers, then you need to establish the rules on the very first day of homecoming. Do not feel bad about disciplining your little kitty. This is a mistake that many new kitten owners make. They feel guilty and end up not training their pets appropriately. Going this route will ensure your frustration in the future when he is an adult cat that is giving your problems.
Keeping Your New Kitten Safe
In addition to behavior training, the first few months of having a new kitten in the house involves detailed attention to the safety of the animal. You must ensure that the surrounding areas in your home is safe for the little guy. All too often, cats can get seriously injured or even die because of household dangers that could have been avoided.
For example, look around each room and check all objects and low lying shelf units within at least the first 3-4 feet high. Is there anything that a kitten could paw into which could fall on top of him? Is there any electronic wiring within the kitten's reach that could cause him to be electrocuted? Do you see any small areas that a kitten can squeeze into and possibly get trapped?
Many new pet owners underestimate these dangers. But as you can see by the examples above, it doesn't take much for your kitten to get himself into danger around the house. In fact, it is best to create a checklist of all of the possibilities that may be harmful to your cat before you even bring him home. Once you have secured all dangers, you can rest assure that your kitten's new home is safe and sound.
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