Image of American Shorthair Silver tabby kitten peeking over top of cardboard box

Arrival Day

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Paperwork:  Note*  There will be an envelope taped to the top of the crate with the kittens health information (shots, worming etc..), registration and vet certificate.  Save the health information, it will be helpful for your vet to complete the kittens vaccination and worming schedule.

Image of cat supplies litter boxLitterbox:  On the day of the kitten’s arrival, when you bring your new kitten into your home we suggest that you place the kitten in its litter box immediately and then let it explore the house from there.  Use the same litter as we use to begin with.  (Tidy cat clumping litter for multiple cats).

Another thing to consider is that I do not use the cover on the litter box when the kittens are little as I am using a smaller litter box. So they are not used to the covers when they go to their new homes.

You can introduce the covers after a few weeks in your home.  I always keep the litter box on the floor, so please put the litter box on a floor, not a table top, bench or on top of anything, the kittens do not know that they may need to climb to find their litter box.  Do not use a hidden/disguised litterbox until the kitten has adjusted to using one like we use.

After a few weeks of using the litterbox you may replace it with another type of litter box, but put it in the same place as the old litterbox.  Slowly move the litter box, day by day to the new place that you want it to remain.

Socializing/Adjusting:  Keep the kitten confined to a single room when you are not present. (It will be easier to find in case it decides to hide out) Do this for a week or so or until you are comfortable that you have bonded well with the kitten and it is comfortable with you as its new buddy.  Some kittens chum right up to new owners and situations while others take longer to warm up to their new environment.

Image of Face of American Shorthair silver tabby kitten on black backgroundHold and cuddle your new kitten often the first few weeks.  Cradle the kitten in your arms like a baby and rub its belly gently.  Rubbing the tummy often creates trust much quicker than just petting the back.  Also gently rub the sides of its jaws with your fingers.  This places your scent near his nose so you become very familiar to it very quickly.

Once your little kitten is purring and sooo happy to see you whenever you appear, you can consider it adjusted to the move from our home to yours.  You will find that these kittens will chirp when they are happy.  Kind of like a half purr and half burp.  You will recognize it when they start doing it.  purrrrrrrpb is how I would spell it.

Do not let your kitten hide out somewhere when you first receive it.  Hold it and pet it and let it know that you are a good thing in its life.  Do let the kitten take a nap on your lap.  Play with the jingle toy on your lap.  When ever you put the kitten down set it in its litter box for the first few days.

Feeding: We feed Hill’s Science Diet kitten food and occasionally a canned shredded wet food.  These foods can be purchased at Wal-Mart, Pet Smart, pet store or a grocery store.  Refrigerate canned leftovers.

When you decide to change your kittens’ food, gradually add the new food to what it is eating now.  Increase the new food as you decrease the old food.   It will be easier on its digestive system.  Do this over a two week period.  When the kitten is a year old you can start feeding adult cat food.  We suggest Purina One Healthy Cat or Purina Pro Plan Adult Cat food.  Your vet may suggest another brand that he or she feels is also a good food.

Image of example CFA blue slipRegistration:  Your kitten’s blue slip to complete the CFA registration paperwork is include the envelope of paperwork attached to the carrier.  You will want to decide on first and second choices for a registered name for your kitten, and then submit this form with your registration payment to the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA).  Be sure to keep a photo copy of the registration and the date that you sent it in.

Kitten Health:  Your kitten will be due for its next round of immunizations / de-wormer within about 2-2 1/2 weeks after it’s arrival.  Schedule an appointment right away to establish care with your veterinary provider and to ensure these boosters are completed.

We recommend that you have your kitten spayed or neutered around the age of 6 months or as early as your vet suggests.  Both males and females may start to mark their territory as early as that, especially if there are other cats in the home.  (Yes, female cats can spray as well).  Some people think that their kitten is not using the litter box, or has quit using the litter box when they find a wet spot somewhere else, when indeed the kitten is using the litter box, but it may also be spraying, or marking it’s territory in another corner of the house.  Unless you intend to raise kittens, there is no reason not to spay or neuter your cats especially if you don’t want them to spray/mark their territory in your home.

Be sure to read the page on how to handle your kitten