Here are a few tried and tested tips to make kitten's move from my house to your, successful.
1. Picking up kitten - please make sure when you pick them up, you bring a crate.
You may feel like you want to hug and cuddle them all the way home, but it's best for them to feel the security of 4 walls and a comfy blanket under them. Cats, when nervous, like to hide (or have the feeling that they're hiding) and watch the surroundings, until they feel comfortable. Give them that opportunity. Let them "hide" in their crate on the way home. Sure, you can maybe squeeze your hand by the gate to pet them or you can talk to them or have the crate on your lap as you drive, but I would definitely recommend that they be safely crated during travel.
2. Once at home - prepare you home to be divided up into sections.
You're safe zone will be one room they can call their own. Your home will seem big and intimidating to the kittens, so confining them to a small area to start with will help them figure out where all their important stuff is, and they'll be able to make to the litter box in time.
Set them up with their food, water, litter, blankets and toys in a spare room or second bathroom, so when they DO explore, they can start from a known area already.
3. When they leave the safe zone - Keep in mind that, yes, when you're home, kitten can join you in the rest of your house, but I still would suggest some caution. If you at work or are going out, make sure kitten is back in their safe zone during that time. Limit the amount of time that they have out of their safe zone, even with you around. Keep in mind that they are babies, and need to nap often. If they're napping with you, as you watch a show, for example, great. But if you're eating supper and they've gone off to nap and you don't know where they are, that can be dangerous for the first week or so of their new life with you. Let them explore one room at a time, with you supervising the exploration. You never know what you've forgotten to pick up or remove, so it's best to be there, to kitten proof as you go along.
4. Running free - Give them anywhere between 5 days and 2 weeks to have safe zone time. You'll know by their comfort level when kitten is ready to have the "run of the house". Just watch for their cues and pay attention to their behaviours. They'll tell you when they're ready!
Introducing them to children
We love children and we love pets, but strangely enough, sometimes the two don't mix well together. Here are some guidelines that we use with our children, to ensure everyone's safety.
1. Know your child - Obviously, young children under the age of 6 should be supervised with pets. But even kids from 7-12 can be insensitive to the kitten at times and then forget how their actions may affect the new furry family member. Often times, kids of many ages don't have the self awareness of how they are present themselves to new pets (ie. loud may be perceived as intimidating by the kitten). Explain how the new kitten must be feeling, as they're moving to a new home without their brothers and sisters. Explain that everything smells different and that tells kitten that they are in a new place, which can be scary for kittens etc. Keep encouraging your children to be sensitive and watchful of the kitten and her needs. Teach them some kitten body language through observation and discussion. Then the kids can recall the discussions and "read" what the kitten is trying to say to them in the future. Kitten watching is fascinating, so give your kids a dialogue of what the kitten might be thinking as you sit on the couch and watch her play.
Introducing them to established pets
We are happy when our kittens go to homes that already have furry friends waiting for them, but at times the transition for the pair can be challenging. One is an innocent kitten wanting to play and the other may feel that their territory is being threatened. Here are some tips that may help.
1. The safe zone is a MUST. This will protect both existing pet and new kitten from each other until they are ready to meet face to face. Facilitate their meeting by switching blankets with each other. This will allow existing pet to growl and get mad at the blanket and not the kitten and will allow the kitten to do the same. You can switch other things as well, such as toys etc.
2. When it's time for a house tour with the kitten, carry the kitten first to the location that you want her to go. Make sure she can explore in safety. If existing pet comes and interrupts her tour, that's ok, just don't let the meeting get out of hand. There will be a bit of growling and hair standing on end and that's fine. But when the claws come out swiping, there is a safety concern. Get between them, pick up kitten etc.
3. When you've scheduled a meeting between the two, make sure you enlist some help, one to watch the existing pet and you to watch kitten. Humans greet each other by a handshake, while pets sniff each other's butts. (Glad we humans don't do that) Keep it safe for all involved. Hold kitten in your arms while existing pet sniffs. If it gets aggressive, all you have to do is stand and hold kitten close to your heart, so she feels safe. Someone else will be petting and talking calmly to your existing pet, so they won't feel excluded from human affection. Trade positions and have kitten sniff while you hold existing pet, keeping them both safe. Just do this a few moments each day and then separate them when you're not there to supervise.
1. Picking up kitten - please make sure when you pick them up, you bring a crate.
You may feel like you want to hug and cuddle them all the way home, but it's best for them to feel the security of 4 walls and a comfy blanket under them. Cats, when nervous, like to hide (or have the feeling that they're hiding) and watch the surroundings, until they feel comfortable. Give them that opportunity. Let them "hide" in their crate on the way home. Sure, you can maybe squeeze your hand by the gate to pet them or you can talk to them or have the crate on your lap as you drive, but I would definitely recommend that they be safely crated during travel.
2. Once at home - prepare you home to be divided up into sections.
You're safe zone will be one room they can call their own. Your home will seem big and intimidating to the kittens, so confining them to a small area to start with will help them figure out where all their important stuff is, and they'll be able to make to the litter box in time.
Set them up with their food, water, litter, blankets and toys in a spare room or second bathroom, so when they DO explore, they can start from a known area already.
3. When they leave the safe zone - Keep in mind that, yes, when you're home, kitten can join you in the rest of your house, but I still would suggest some caution. If you at work or are going out, make sure kitten is back in their safe zone during that time. Limit the amount of time that they have out of their safe zone, even with you around. Keep in mind that they are babies, and need to nap often. If they're napping with you, as you watch a show, for example, great. But if you're eating supper and they've gone off to nap and you don't know where they are, that can be dangerous for the first week or so of their new life with you. Let them explore one room at a time, with you supervising the exploration. You never know what you've forgotten to pick up or remove, so it's best to be there, to kitten proof as you go along.
4. Running free - Give them anywhere between 5 days and 2 weeks to have safe zone time. You'll know by their comfort level when kitten is ready to have the "run of the house". Just watch for their cues and pay attention to their behaviours. They'll tell you when they're ready!
Introducing them to children
We love children and we love pets, but strangely enough, sometimes the two don't mix well together. Here are some guidelines that we use with our children, to ensure everyone's safety.
1. Know your child - Obviously, young children under the age of 6 should be supervised with pets. But even kids from 7-12 can be insensitive to the kitten at times and then forget how their actions may affect the new furry family member. Often times, kids of many ages don't have the self awareness of how they are present themselves to new pets (ie. loud may be perceived as intimidating by the kitten). Explain how the new kitten must be feeling, as they're moving to a new home without their brothers and sisters. Explain that everything smells different and that tells kitten that they are in a new place, which can be scary for kittens etc. Keep encouraging your children to be sensitive and watchful of the kitten and her needs. Teach them some kitten body language through observation and discussion. Then the kids can recall the discussions and "read" what the kitten is trying to say to them in the future. Kitten watching is fascinating, so give your kids a dialogue of what the kitten might be thinking as you sit on the couch and watch her play.
Introducing them to established pets
We are happy when our kittens go to homes that already have furry friends waiting for them, but at times the transition for the pair can be challenging. One is an innocent kitten wanting to play and the other may feel that their territory is being threatened. Here are some tips that may help.
1. The safe zone is a MUST. This will protect both existing pet and new kitten from each other until they are ready to meet face to face. Facilitate their meeting by switching blankets with each other. This will allow existing pet to growl and get mad at the blanket and not the kitten and will allow the kitten to do the same. You can switch other things as well, such as toys etc.
2. When it's time for a house tour with the kitten, carry the kitten first to the location that you want her to go. Make sure she can explore in safety. If existing pet comes and interrupts her tour, that's ok, just don't let the meeting get out of hand. There will be a bit of growling and hair standing on end and that's fine. But when the claws come out swiping, there is a safety concern. Get between them, pick up kitten etc.
3. When you've scheduled a meeting between the two, make sure you enlist some help, one to watch the existing pet and you to watch kitten. Humans greet each other by a handshake, while pets sniff each other's butts. (Glad we humans don't do that) Keep it safe for all involved. Hold kitten in your arms while existing pet sniffs. If it gets aggressive, all you have to do is stand and hold kitten close to your heart, so she feels safe. Someone else will be petting and talking calmly to your existing pet, so they won't feel excluded from human affection. Trade positions and have kitten sniff while you hold existing pet, keeping them both safe. Just do this a few moments each day and then separate them when you're not there to supervise.
