We have two kittens, 8+ weeks old. They're settling in very nicely and are very affectionate with us /each other. I am trying to get them fully used to our house and the various noises gently so they'll feel safe and won't be scared of things. I do turn on the TV (they were pretty shocked but quickly recovered), work on projects, clanging with pots n pans etc. Mostly they're doing well, but they are skeptical about anything they're not used to, especially the female, but for the most part they quickly are okay again. I'm just worried about scaring them.
Biggest is of course the vacuum cleaner. I put it out a couple of days ago so they could get used to the machine itself, then several different times rolling it back and forth a little bit (motor off) which had them pretty worried, although male came to check it out after a bit, female looking from a distance. Today I brought it to the second floor (kittens are on main) and vacuumed for real, hallway and steps. They went ballistic according to my husband! He came over to play, which helped but they were pretty scared for a while afterwards. Now I'm afraid of vacuuming but I need them to get used to it. We're thinking to vacuum a little bit every day, away from them, to get them used to it. Is that a good plan?
For comparison, a friend took in a young stray cat in the middle of a huge remodel, very noisy and people coming and going. Kitty was terrified and hid for a good while, but then got used to it and now has no worries in the world, wandering around in the middle of the chaos greeting people.
So is it a mistake to be so careful, is it better to go about our normal life (without shocking them completely) and let them get used to it, or should we keep on being gentle?
Biggest is of course the vacuum cleaner. I put it out a couple of days ago so they could get used to the machine itself, then several different times rolling it back and forth a little bit (motor off) which had them pretty worried, although male came to check it out after a bit, female looking from a distance. Today I brought it to the second floor (kittens are on main) and vacuumed for real, hallway and steps. They went ballistic according to my husband! He came over to play, which helped but they were pretty scared for a while afterwards. Now I'm afraid of vacuuming but I need them to get used to it. We're thinking to vacuum a little bit every day, away from them, to get them used to it. Is that a good plan?
For comparison, a friend took in a young stray cat in the middle of a huge remodel, very noisy and people coming and going. Kitty was terrified and hid for a good while, but then got used to it and now has no worries in the world, wandering around in the middle of the chaos greeting people.
So is it a mistake to be so careful, is it better to go about our normal life (without shocking them completely) and let them get used to it, or should we keep on being gentle?