Top Tips for Caring for a New Kitten: What to Expect
Part 1: How to Avoid Stress for a New Cat at Home?
New cats can often experience stress when they first arrive in a new home. This stress is often triggered by humans, so pet owners must pay close attention to their cat's emotions and maintain a gentle demeanor to prevent further distress.
Firstly, if there are no other cats or dogs in the household, you can let the cat roam freely without immediate interference. Avoid forcing playtime or interaction, as this can increase the cat's stress levels and exacerbate its stress response.
Once the cat's appetite returns to normal and it feels comfortable sleeping in various locations around the house, it indicates that it has mostly adapted to the new environment. At this point, you can use toys like a laser pointer or a feather wand to engage the cat gently, fostering a bond between you both.
Secondly, if there are other pets at home, to prevent conflicts, it's advisable to keep the new cat and the existing pets separated in different rooms for a few days. Allow them to gradually get accustomed to each other's scents before introducing them. If they remain hostile, continue the separation until they are willing to coexist peacefully.
Part 2: What Should Cats Eat?
For kittens that are still weaning, it's best to feed them kittenspecific milk formula. For adult cats, it's recommended to first understand the type of cat food they were previously eating and continue with that brand for a while. After that, you can gradually switch to a different, potentially betterquality cat food using the 7day transition method.
Avoid feeding your cat human food, as it can be too greasy or salty for them, leading to stomach upset and excessive shedding. Certain human foods like onions, garlic, and chocolate can even be toxic to cats. Therefore, it's best to stick to cat food for your pet's diet.
Part 3: Other Important Points to Consider
1. Cats enjoy hiding in tight spaces like under sofas, beds, and cabinets. Be sure to clean these areas thoroughly beforehand.
2. If there are other cats in the home, ensure the new cat is dewormed and vaccinated before it comes into contact with the others.
3. Provide your cat with a secure, enclosed box or a cat bed for a hiding spot, offering it a sense of safety.
This concludes our guide on how to care for a new cat. If you have any further questions, feel free to consult an online veterinarian at any time.