The appearance of a furry miracle in the house is a joyful event, but is often overshadowed by stress for the new pet.
How to make a kitten's adaptation to an unfamiliar environment as comfortable and painless as possible?
A cozy corner for the baby
Moving to a new home is a serious test for a small kitten. Familiar smells, sounds, people - all this disappears, replaced by a frightening unknown.
First of all, organize your kitten's personal space.
This could be a separate room or just a quiet corner where he can hide from the hustle and bustle and prying eyes.
Place a comfortable bed, bowls of food and water, a litter box and some toys there.
Gradual introduction to the territory
Take your time and allow your kitten to begin exploring the new territory on his own.
There is no need to drag him out of hiding by force – give him time to get used to the new smells and sounds. Attract his attention with affection, play, talk to him in a calm, quiet voice.
Meeting other pets
If you have other animals in the house, introduce them to the new family member gradually.
At first, limit their contact, allowing them to only sniff each other through the carrier. Later, arrange a short meeting under your supervision, monitoring their behavior and reactions.
Creating an atmosphere of safety and comfort
It is very important to provide the kitten with a sense of security during the adaptation period.
Try not to make noise, avoid sudden movements. Do not touch the baby when he eats or sleeps, give him the opportunity to rest and get used to the new environment.
Remember that kittens are very sensitive to the mood of their owners. Your calmness and confidence will help the baby adapt faster.
Play as an important stage of adaptation
Play is not only a way to entertain your kitten, but also an opportunity to establish contact with him and teach him to trust you.
Choose toys that imitate hunting: fishing rods with feathers, mice on a string, balls. During the game, do not make sudden movements so as not to frighten the baby.
Familiar food in a new home
In the first days, offer the kitten its usual food. If you plan to change the diet, do it gradually, mixing the new food with the old one, observing the body's reaction. Make sure that the kitten always has access to fresh water.
Patience and care are the keys to successful adaptation
Don't be upset if your kitten doesn't get used to the new home right away. Adaptation takes time - for some pets it takes a few days, for others - weeks.
Be patient, affectionate and attentive to your little friend, and he will definitely respond to you with love and devotion.
Earlier we talked about how to wean a dog from licking a person’s feet.