Having kittens can be one of the most enriching experiences in our lives.

But, in order to be able to enjoy the company of a kitten, you should know some of its behaviors and nature, more specifically.

Knowing this will help you know what they need and whether you take responsibility for it.

Raising kittens at home

Bringing a kitten into your home should not be seen as a mere whim but rather as a responsibility that requires careful consideration.

The attention you place in preparing their new home, and properly ‘educating’ and caring for them, will depend on their socialization, health and well-being at home.

It is a common misconception that kittens require the same handling as dogs, most commonly pets.

Remember, kittens are cute and cuddly animals, but they are very territorial . You already know its reputation as an independent, although in this text we will provide you with the information that qualifies this position.

Therefore, if you are a fan of these animals and decided to get a kitten, then you should prepare everything for her entry into the house.

Heed these tips so your new kitten feels comfortable in his new territory.

We opted for a guide format to ensure the proper adaptation of adopting a kitten, as we believe this format will offer you the most concise and unambiguous instructions.

In addition, its structure will be interesting to you. Continue reading to discover the fundamental principles of living together.

Kittens and weaning

From four weeks of life, the kitten can already be taught the typical dynamics of living with people.

In fact, we do not recommend that you adopt a kitten (for compelling reasons only) that has not been socialized with people (eg, breeders or those in charge of a It is advisable to have your kitten vaccinated and protected by an organization specializing in pet welfare before the age of seven or eight weeks.

It is also important for the kittens to remain in contact with their mother and siblings during these weeks.

Weaning too early (at least 4 weeks is recommended) can cause problems for kittens later on, to interact with other specimens of their own kind and is also a natural way to protect against future illnesses.

If, for whatever reason, she is a kitten and cannot suckle, we must feed her, providing her with special kitten milk , with a bottle or syringe.

This milk can be found in pet stores or veterinary centers and they themselves will indicate the amount, the method of giving it and the time required, according to the needs of each cat.

Kittens and socialization

You cannot delegate all responsibility for socialization to those who have taken care of your cats before. Continuing this crucial task of adaptation lies in your hands.

And you will have to do this for the first two to three months that the kittens are with you.

In this way, by the fourth month, he will have become accustomed to the basic stimuli you taught him .

Not only because it will be affected by people, but also to all kinds of sensory experiences, such as olfactory experiences, apart from car trips, visits to the vet, living with other cats, meeting their needs and the different places of play and comfort in which they live.

Gently touch your kitten

Using too much physical contact with kittens is one of those mistakes made by people who, with their utmost will, believe that these cats can be treated in the same way as dogs.

But you have to keep in mind that kittens don’t internalize being manipulated by people as normal. However, if you gradually get used to the kittens, they will not be afraid of them in the future.

Remember, however, that you must take advantage of the commented socialization stage and act with caution.

For example, they don’t like being touched on their belly and hind legs. It is always better to give caresses to kittens than to pat them away from children due to inaccuracy. When cats sense that they are under attack, they have the potential to exhibit aggression.

It is best to touch her head and back, always with tenderness .

Kitten habits

If, for example, you’re amazed that your pet doesn’t enjoy exploring new spaces and you think he’s too sedentary, you don’t need to worry excessively.

You only have to worry about the health problems obesity can cause , which you have to deal with with veterinarians and animal nutritionists.

It is important to play with them, so that they are activated, thus stimulating their intelligence and their physical condition.

You simply have to assume that some of the behaviors you might expect are not typical of kittens or you.

Do not force him to do something he does not want , because you will generate tension in the cat and lead to submission and a certain tension in your relationship with him.

Preparing the house for kittens

It is your responsibility to plan your cat’s initial home exploration when you are aware that their first visit is impending.

Especially when you have other pets that will end up sharing the space with him. Since cats are very territorial, it is best to start your conversation with them separately.

However, you can get them to associate their scents with positive experiences, such as eating or resting, if you initially place a physical barrier between the two, such that they eat together, but are visually separate and always supervised.

It’s important to have a cat scratcher ready (it can be flat or vertical) where you can scratch and climb onto it.

A sandbox should be placed in a tranquil area of the house, while a separate area must be allocated for the feeder and water dispenser.

Dealing with kittens

Just as we told you not to be pushy, we must also ask you to be patient when incorporating kittens into your home, the first impression is important.

And they do it often. When the animal arrives in its new space, it is enveloped in a lot of emotions that may be crippling it. So take it easy when he enters the house and don’t confuse him with too many stimuli that will turn him off.

If he needs a nap (say, after an uncomfortable, stressful car ride), let him take it for him or have him check out the house in peace.

Don’t worry if your kitten won’t eat

After one of these start-up experiences, it is very normal for a kitten to feel nervous and have no appetite. Don’t worry, fasting is not one of their natural habits.

The animal will eat again when it needs to, and in the meantime, place its bowl and drinker in a place with little traffic.

The safest part of the house for them is the feeding area.

What do kittens eat?

It’s important to remember that young cats engage in a lot of play and burn significant amounts of calories, therefore, they require a large intake of food. Additionally, their diet should be rich in protein.

Micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorous are essential minerals that aid in the development of respiratory and digestive organs, as well as the growth of protective elements such as skin and fur.

In these first weeks, dry food should prevail, which will later begin to be combined with wet food.

Rhythms kitten food

When we talk about kittens that you have to be impatient with at their meal times, you should also appreciate that kittens have a very small mouth. So some foods like your favorite foods can’t be that big.

There are special products for kittens, the first months of their life, with contributions of nutrients, specially designed for them. You can see your vet.

It is worth splitting their meals into three daily sessions, but leave them to their own devices and help them get used to it in a gradual way.

Many cats can constantly get food, when they are growing and self-regulating, that is, they eat only what they need, generally a small amount, during more feedings.

Small cats and their nocturnal activity

One of the most curious behaviors discovered by people who have never owned a cat is its nocturnal activity.

It should be borne in mind that cats retain innate natural instincts in them, such as hunting.

It’s in the wild, it happens more intensely at night, so it wouldn’t be strange, for your cat to decide in the middle of the night that it was the perfect time to run down the hall, play, and jump on your car. bed, even meow or growl.

It is important to respect this behavior and never yell at them to stop them from taking this position.

You can leave the toys ready for those moments or even play with them a little more during the day, so they sleep longer at night.

What if we have already warned you, is that in general, they will be the ones to wake you up, before the mobile phone alarm, at the time of getting up early.

In short, before having kittens at home, it means that we will respect their nature, that we will take care of them and provide everything they need.

We will ensure to keep a close eye on their health and seek veterinary assistance when needed. We will stand by them, through thick and thin, as they rely on us and we will never forsake them.

You can learn more about how to raise cats by clicking here