First days at home

HOME	First days at home

If Miss Tatana already had a cat, she would probably want to keep her kitten in a separate room for a couple of days. She would have her own bed, food and water dish, and litterbox. After a while, the door could be opened to let other cats to sniff and peek at her. Rubbing her with a towel to put her scent on it, then putting the towel in the sleeping area of the other cats, would let them become accustomed to her smell.

But Miss Tatana doesn't have another cat, so she will be able to give the new kitten all her attention. She will probably get her new kitten during the school holidays, so that she can spend time with it, and train it. It would be very unhappy if it was left alone all day while she was at work for the first few weeks.

Miss Tatana will take her cat to the vet in the first few days, so that it can be checked out, and given any vaccinations or injections that it needs. It is an important part of being a responsible cat owner.

During the first few days the new kitten will want to explore the house, and to play, and to learn about the people it will be living with. It will also get very tired, and need to sleep a lot.

One important caution at this age: Miss Tatana mustn't let her kitten start to associate her hands with a play toy. Doing so can develop into bad habits of scratching and biting fingers. Hands are for holding, stroking and gentle hugs; toys are for rough play.