Top Tips for a Smooth Cat Move to a New Home
Before You Arrive Home — Stock Up on Essential Supplies
Essentials to Prepare
Food
For kittens younger than one month, their owners can feed them goat's milk powder. Generally, within the first 10 days, they need to be fed every 2 hours or so. From 10 days to one month, feedings should be about 3 to 4 times every 3 to 4 hours. For kittens around 1 to 3 months old, a mix of goat's milk powder and kitten milk replacer, fed 5 to 6 times a day, is suitable. For kittens over 3 months, you can directly feed them kitten food, typically around 3 to 4 times daily.
Cat Bowls
Cat bowls come in various materials, but it's recommended to choose ceramic or stainless steel, which are antibacterial and can help prevent "black下巴" (a common skin condition). For water bowls, a flowing water bowl is suggested to prevent your cat from frequenting the bathroom.
Cat Bed
It's best to buy a bed designed for adult cats, as they grow quickly. Plus, note that many cats prefer your bed, sofa, or chair over their own! PS: A large number of cat beds are more for decoration than use.
Cat Litter Box
Cat litter boxes come in open and enclosed designs. It doesn't matter which one you choose, as cats don't care about the smell. It's up to you, the owner, to decide. As for the cat litter, there are many types available, such as clay, tofu, crystal, and wood shavings. Prices vary, and each type has its pros and cons. If I had to recommend one, I'd go for tofu litter, as it's easy to flush down the toilet and offers great value for money.
Cat Toys
When a kitten arrives at a new home, it has an adjustment period of about 7 days. During this time, new cat parents should interact with their pets using toys to help them relax and build a bond.
Cat Scratching Post
A scratching post is not only useful for cats to sharpen their claws but also provides entertainment. Choose a scratching post with a noncolored print (harmless), appropriate hole size (comfortable), and a material and color different from your home furniture to help the cat distinguish what is okay to scratch and what isn't.
Deodorizer
Always choose a nontoxic and nonirritating deodorizer. Since young kittens may not use the litter box properly, a deodorizer is essential to eliminate odors. Their sensitive and fragile sense of smell and resistance require careful care.
Upon Arrival — Reducing Stress During the Adjustment Period
During the first seven days, keep the kitten's food and litter the same as before to help them find comfort in the new environment. To teach them where to use the litter box, place them in it immediately upon arrival, pat their bottom, and they'll understand. When a kitten arrives at a new home, they may hide in a corner. Remember not to pull them out forcibly unless there's no danger. Let them stay and observe their surroundings. Once they feel safe, they'll come out. You can use a laser pointer to attract them, but whether they want to play with you is up to them.
The Final Challenge — Vaccination and Deworming
After a sevenday adjustment period, kittens can usually move around freely at home. However, for the health of both the cat and the owner, the kitten must undergo one final challenge: vaccination and deworming. Kittens can typically receive vaccinations at around two months old, and the deworming age depends on the deworming medication's main ingredient. The best approach is to deworm the kitten one week after the deworming treatment, ensuring they are healthy before vaccination. The kitten's vaccination schedule involves a threeshot combination vaccine, with each shot given 28 days apart; one shot for rabies, which can be administered as early as three months old. After the first vaccine, once the kitten's antibody levels are confirmed, they become less vulnerable. Then, a booster shot is recommended annually, and the happy life of a cat parent can begin...
