The Best Ways to Help Kittens Survive and Thrive in Their New Homes

The Best Ways to Help Kittens Survive and Thrive in Their New Homes

Kittens are curious, playful, and social cats who need human companionship, attention, and care just as much as any other cat. They need to be socialized with people and other animals from a young age.

Help is invaluable when it comes to helping a new pet adjust to its new home. While cats can adapt to new environments easily, it can be difficult for them to adjust to their new surroundings. Stress and fear can often be the root of most problems.

Help your new kitten adjust by getting familiar with their natural instincts. Get them used to their surroundings by slowly introducing them to new people and places. Here are some of the best ways to help your kitten survive and thrive in their new home.

Make your new kitten feel welcome

The best way to help your new kitten survive and thrive in their new home is to make them feel welcome. Let them explore the house, get used to the sights and sounds, and get familiar with their new surroundings.

Feed them food they like, and use food to help them adjust to their surroundings. Make sure there are plenty of places for them to hide and sleep.

Make sure they are in a safe, comfortable, and happy place.

Your new kitten may not understand language, but they can understand food. Feed them small portions of their regular food and gradually increase the amount as they grow accustomed to their new diet.

Feed them at specific times during the day. Give them a quiet place to relax and eat. This will help them get used to eating at particular times and stop them from eating too much before they are supposed to be done.

Give them treats and toys they are familiar with, and get them used to be handled. Your kitten may not like being picked up or handled, especially as a kitten. Help them get used to these activities gradually and offer treats while you do it.

Don’t punish your kitten while they adjust

Punishment can make an already stressful situation even worse. If your kitten is scared or in pain, punishing them will only add to their stress.

In many cases, punishment is used to make a kitten do something they don’t want to do, like eat their daily food. It doesn’t work, and it makes the kitten fearful of eating.

Try to keep any negative feelings you have about your kitten out of your mind. Your kitten needs your love, care, and attention just as much as any other cat.

Punishing your kitten for doing something they are naturally curious about will just make them fearful. Let them explore and get used to their surroundings with treats and toys.

Give your kitten lots of cuddle time

Kittens need the comfort of a cuddle partner just as much as any other cat. Let them snuggle up to you, and let them explore your body and headspace.

Kittens are social creatures and will seek out human companionship. The more time you spend with them, cuddling and comforting them, the easier it will be for them to get used to you.

Let them get used to the smell of your skin by gently rubbing your hands on your clothes. Let them get used to the feeling of soft fur on your skin. Get them used to be touched on their head and shoulders.

Hold them in your lap when possible, and let them climb onto your shoulders and arms. Let them explore their new home with toys and other things they are familiar with.

Keep your kitten's cage in an easily accessible part of the house, so they can go to their safe haven whenever they feel stressed.

Keep your kitten informed of the goings-on

If your new kitten is feeling stressed, it may be clingy or even aggressive. Let them know what is going on in the house and around them.

Tell your kitten about all the people and animals in the house, and let them have plenty of opportunities to explore and meet new people and pets.

If your kitten is clingy, try to spend time with them. Let them snuggle with you, get used to the smell of your skin, and let them play with your hands.

If your kitten is aggressive, try not to be around them when they are feeling stressed. Try to spend time away from them when possible.

Help your kitten adjust to new smells

Different people have different body odors and different foods smell different to everyone, so your kitten may need some time to adjust.

New smells can be very scary, so let them get used to your smell first. When you are wearing your normal clothes and not going for a cuddle, gently rub your hands on these clothes. Let them smell the fabric. Let them get used to the feeling of soft fur on your skin.

Your kitten may also be afraid of the smell of new carpet and furniture. Try spraying some vanilla or another familiar scent in the air to help them get used to the smell of these new scents.

Help your kitten learn cat behavior and routines

It is important to teach your kitten basic things like walking on a leash, coming when called and not chewing on things they are not supposed to.

Your kitten may not understand why they are doing these things or why they shouldn’t do them, so help them get used to these behaviors and routines.

Help your kitten learn about their new surroundings

Do your best to help them understand their surroundings by following these steps:

• Get your kitten used to being around people and other animals
• Let people pet and play with them, and let them explore your home
• Get them used to being near loud noises such as the TV, vacuum, or another appliance
• Help them get used to the noises and smells of their new surroundings
• Get them used to the stairwell and other places they could fall or get stuck
• Get them used to stay on the furniture

Conclusion

Help is invaluable when it comes to helping a new pet adjust to its new home. While cats can adapt to new environments easily, it can be difficult for them to adjust to their new surroundings.

Your new kitten will need plenty of cuddle time, treats, toys, and places to hide. Let them get used to the smells of their surroundings, and help them understand their new surroundings.

Keep your new kitten informed of the goings-on, let them get used to the sounds of their surroundings, and help them get used to staying on the furniture. Your new kitten will be safe and happy in its new home with these things done.