Episodes > 107 > Pet Vet

There’s no place like home!

“Be prepared” is not just the Boy Scout Motto. It could apply to bringing home a new kitty as well.

Picture this…you’re a baby and feeling very content snuggling up to Mom for love and a good meal. Life is a beautiful thing…you have everything you need, your family, good food, a warm bed and lots of brothers and sisters to play with. Then one day while taking one of the very first “catnaps” of your young life, you are snatched away and thrust into a new and scary place. All of a sudden no Mom, no family, no bed… Could you possibly be put into a more horrible situation?

Well that’s pretty much how a new Kitty feels when you take them to your home. All of a sudden life as they know it has disappeared. The security they once had is long gone and all of a sudden life is stressful!

That’s where we come in as kitty owners. It’s up to us to create a world where they once again feel secure and loved. And how do we do that you ask…its 2 simple words…BE PREPARED!

Make sure that you have stopped by the pet store for supplies BEFORE you pick up the Kitty. You want to ease the Kitty into it’s new environment as easily as possible for the sake of the Kitty as well as your existing pets.  And a great way to do that is to have all the comforts of home ready for them. Here’s a list of some of the things you need to have…

1. Food & water bowl
2. Metal comb
3. Cat food
4. Kitty litter box & litter
5. Scratching post

Once you get them home you have to take into consideration your existing pets. If you have a dog then most likely they won’t have a problem with the new addition. But cats on the other hand could be an issue. They can become offended and jealous and they’ll let you know how they feel by deciding not to use the litter box…the new argyle sweater laying on your bed looks better to them.

So Mr. new kitty owner…make your home feel like a “home” for your new addition. Give him all the attention and comforts that he needs to make this new adjustment. And just like the Boy Scouts…be prepared and you might be up for a “merit badge”

Life for your new kitten can be very stressful for awhile. Want to make things easier for them? Then follow these few steps…

1. Give them a room of their own! This will give them a chance to get used to their new environment on their own terms before you introduce them to the rest of the house. When they are ready they will come out.
2. Keep your small kids away from the kitty at fist. They can be frightening and delay the “getting comfortable” period.
3. As with the kiddies introduce them to your other pets slowly. After all, this is a new threat to them