Please help me prepare for my new kitten

[scoochmom]

Hi everyone, I am thrilled to be getting a new kitten in a couple weeks. She'll be about 10 weeks old when I get her, and it's been a good 20 years since I've had a teensy baby around the house. My two adult kitties made it to 17 and 19, and both recently passed. Can anyone give tips on what steps I should take to kitten-proof my apartment, and should I keep her confined so she doesn't get in trouble if she wanders around at night? Wanna make sure she's super safe.

Thank you in advance!

 

[tabbytom]

Hi everyone, I am thrilled to be getting a new kitten in a couple weeks. She'll be about 10 weeks old when I get her, and it's been a good 20 years since I've had a teensy baby around the house. My two adult kitties made it to 17 and 19, and both recently passed. Can anyone give tips on what steps I should take to kitten-proof my apartment, and should I keep her confined so she doesn't get in trouble if she wanders around at night? Wanna make sure she's super safe. Thank you in advance!

on getting a new kitten. What a sweetie you have here! What's her name?

Since it's been awhile you had a cat, here are some articles to refresh yourself with and orientate yourself on taking care of a cat again.


bringing-home-a-new-cat-the-complete-guide.29657
first-time-cat-owners-guide.33669
how-to-help-a-new-cat-adjust-to-your-home.32804
common-foods-that-are-harmful-to-cats.30181
household-chemicals-and-your-cats.29641
first-aid-for-cats.22464
cats-lilies-avoid-the-danger-lurking-in-your-home.33397
the-litterbox-what-every-cat-owner-needs-to-know.33457
how-to-choose-the-right-litterbox.32515

Do post more photos of her here in white-cats-only.395513

 

[scoochmom]

View attachment 484275 on getting a new kitten. What a sweetie you have here! What's her name?

Since it's been awhile you had a cat, here are some articles to refresh yourself with and orientate yourself on taking care of a cat again.


bringing-home-a-new-cat-the-complete-guide.29657
first-time-cat-owners-guide.33669
how-to-help-a-new-cat-adjust-to-your-home.32804
common-foods-that-are-harmful-to-cats.30181
household-chemicals-and-your-cats.29641
first-aid-for-cats.22464
cats-lilies-avoid-the-danger-lurking-in-your-home.33397
the-litterbox-what-every-cat-owner-needs-to-know.33457
how-to-choose-the-right-litterbox.32515

Do post more photos of her here in white-cats-only.395513

Thanks so much for these articles! I plan to name her Purrin', after my grandmother, Perrincina. Rest assured, I will be taking tons of photos and will post them in the White Cats section. Thanks again!

 

[tabbytom]

Thanks so much for these articles! I plan to name her Purrin', after my grandmother, Perrincina. Rest assured, I will be taking tons of photos and will post them in the White Cats section. Thanks again!

 

[di and bob]

Congratulations! what a tiny beauty! since she is all white, try to check her hearing when you get her. The deafness gene runs in white cats. I have had several though that lived perfectly normal long lives! They elarned to come with a light turned off and on, and i always stomped my foot upon approaching them (to make vibrations) so as to not startle them. I pray you have many happy years together!

 

[SueLinda]

Hi everyone, I am thrilled to be getting a new kitten in a couple weeks. She'll be about 10 weeks old when I get her, and it's been a good 20 years since I've had a teensy baby around the house. My two adult kitties made it to 17 and 19, and both recently passed. Can anyone give tips on what steps I should take to kitten-proof my apartment, and should I keep her confined so she doesn't get in trouble if she wanders around at night? Wanna make sure she's super safe. View attachment 484274Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone, I am thrilled to be getting a new kitten in a couple weeks. She'll be about 10 weeks old when I get her, and it's been a good 20 years since I've had a teensy baby around the house. My two adult kitties made it to 17 and 19, and both recently passed. Can anyone give tips on what steps I should take to kitten-proof my apartment, and should I keep her confined so she doesn't get in trouble if she wanders around at night? Wanna make sure she's super safe. View attachment 484274Thank you in advance!

Oh, she is absolutely beautiful!!! Congratulations!!!

 

[Kwik]

Hi everyone, I am thrilled to be getting a new kitten in a couple weeks. She'll be about 10 weeks old when I get her, and it's been a good 20 years since I've had a teensy baby around the house. My two adult kitties made it to 17 and 19, and both recently passed. Can anyone give tips on what steps I should take to kitten-proof my apartment, and should I keep her confined so she doesn't get in trouble if she wanders around at night? Wanna make sure she's super safe. Thank you in advance!

Congratulations on adopting Purrin,what a precious little baby,she is adorable-she doesn't look real,she looks like the little kittens of rabbit fur my Mom used to buy me with( I didn't know somebody killed a bunny when I was little....

I'll have to see if I can find one to show you......Blessings to you and your new baby

 

[artiemom]

I remember when I got Pumpkin, as a kitten.. I got a small stuffed animal which she could cling to, kick, carry, etc.. She had that thing for years... always carrying it around in her mouth, talking to it...

I do not know if you have access to a wind up clock or wrist watch. They say that the ticking sound kind of mimics mom cat's heartbeat....
(((hugs))))

 

[Kris107]

Do some kitten proofing now. Look for and seal off holes. For example, had a foster kitten disappear behind dishwasher ( found a gap). Think about house rules (esp if you live with others). What will be allowed? Be consistent. One I'd really try to recommend is hands aren't toys. Kittens, like kids and puppies, get into everything. They explore their world and sometimes by biting/chewing/putting in mouth. Lock up toxic things, including plants. Make sure you have supplies like brush, toothbrush and nail trimmers to get her familiar with them. I've trimmed nails for even the tiniest of kittens. Kitten nails are super sharp and they'll use them to climb you and can scratch you up pretty good. You were a cat parent, so you got this! Kittens just need to be watched like a hawk! Congrats on the new addition!

 

[Alldara]

Oh she's so cute!! Look how fuzzy.

Definitely get some wire covers and other baby proofing for kitten proofing now. If you can get down to kitten level and observe your home from her size you'll see more of the trouble she will get into!

 

[Kwik]

Hi everyone, I am thrilled to be getting a new kitten in a couple weeks. She'll be about 10 weeks old when I get her, and it's been a good 20 years since I've had a teensy baby around the house. My two adult kitties made it to 17 and 19, and both recently passed. Can anyone give tips on what steps I should take to kitten-proof my apartment, and should I keep her confined so she doesn't get in trouble if she wanders around at night? Wanna make sure she's super safe. View attachment 484274Thank you in advance!

I've actually come back here several times already just to look at her photo over n over....... precious darling baby !

 

[tarasgirl06]

An excellent suggestion, artiemom , in a lot of excellent suggestions. There are stuffed animals shaped like cats that have an inner "heart" that can be turned on and off; it mimics a heartbeat and these are often used to put in with kittens at shelters who are separated from their moms.Snuggle Kitty - Heartbeat Calming Toy for Cats They also contain a heat pack for warming when necessary.
I got one of these for a kitten I adopted, for reassurance. Hopefully it did help her to have a "friend" to cuddle with.
I've always cat-proofed any environment I live in by thinking of anything that a toddler kid could possibly get into, and taking care of it right away, before bringing a kitten OR cat home. It's a big relief to have all this done before bringing them home, and in almost every case, means your stress is lessened a great deal and you can concentrate on the love, bonding, play, and irresistibility of your new family member.
Does Purrin' have points? It looks like she might, from the photo.

 

[game misconduct]

protect any and all wires/cables to appliances/ computers and tvs using tubing or wraps. block access to any gaps/holes it can fit its head into kittens are worse than having a toddler in some ways they can climb alot better and get into everything

 

[iPappy]

Oh, what an adorable little kitten!!!! I'm jealous!
I would kitten proof the house the best you can. My personal preference is to do that, and let the kitten play in the house when I'm home, but have a completely kitten-safe area for them when they're that tiny that they can stay in when I'm not home, with a bed, food, water, a litter box, toys and plenty of floor space so their food and water isn't crammed near their litter box or sleeping spot.

 

[Kwik]

protect any and all wires/cables to appliances/ computers and tvs using tubing or wraps. block access to any gaps/holes it can fit its head into kittens are worse than having a toddler in some ways they can climb alot better and get into everything

Absolutely & keeping in mind that little head might not be 2inches- so if the head can fit then all bets are off- and teeny little spaces,gaps or holes are very attractive and inviting to a kitten

A lot of handling,placing on the shoulder against your neck with your hand under the bum so they feel your pulse and of course nestled near your heart..... it's the best time to get your little one familiar and comfortable with EVERYTHING you will eventually have to do at one time or another during their lifetime.....cleaning the ears with a cotton ball,wiping their eyes,looking in their mouth,extending and clipping claws,examining all body parts -everyone of my cats that I had as kittens are conpletely relaxed and comfortable with anything I do to them,no fear because they are so used to handling and feel no threat at all..... I start them off wearing a guinea pig harness(small to start) as well so that lead training comes easily

And " the carrier" - walk around with them in it and at first always return it to the spot you started from,changing places too so when the time comes it's no big deal when they see you getting the carrier..... prepare them now for things to come

I started training my Bengal " Sami" from 2months old ... by the time he was 8 months old he was test ready for certification(Therapy Animal)- 4 months earlier than the one year requirement! Plus he already learned several tricks for the patients he'd eventually visit...... When Sami goes to the Vet he entertains the staff,lol

Adopting a little one like Purrin where they are so young gives them such a good foundation,free from insecurity,stress,fear and makes for a confident people cat! The good life,the life they should all be born into

 

[Alldara]

Yes those are all excellent points. I also get them used to getting their teeth cleaned by using a cotton swab (cardboard middle). All my cats are decent about it and now years later we've actually graduated to an electric toothbrush.

You can't use a real toothbrush or toothpaste on them until all their adult teeth are in ans your vet says it's okay. But the cotton swab is super helpful in getting them used to it and it does some cleaning.

 

[RTR]

It was easier to have two kittens rather than one! The keep each other busier!

 

[neely]

Not sure if this was mentioned but if you have blinds be careful and please tie them up so the kitten can't reach them. The same goes for electric cords, be prepared since they sell a variety of covers for them. We had a kitten who found every electric cord in the house so we had to be diligent.

All the best of luck, Purrin' is absolutely adorable and I know you will have many years of happiness and kitty entertainment.

 

[iPappy]

Yes those are all excellent points. I also get them used to getting their teeth cleaned by using a cotton swab (cardboard middle). All my cats are decent about it and now years later we've actually graduated to an electric toothbrush.

You can't use a real toothbrush or toothpaste on them until all their adult teeth are in ans your vet says it's okay. But the cotton swab is super helpful in getting them used to it and it does some cleaning.

Absolutely this! Neither one of my cats will allow anything to do with their teeth and they are 10 and 16 1/2. I started both of my dogs (one is 4, and one is 6 months) from day one and it REALLY pays off to have them used to having their mouths handled from babyhood!

 

[vampiric_conure]

Purrin sounds like a unique, creative name . Congrats on the cute fluff ball!

The only thing I can suggest for cat-proofing is getting on all 4's if you can and looking at things from a kitten's level. It's amazing what they can get into!