4 Ways To Prepare For A New Kitten
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Jun 10, 2021
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And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jun 10, 2021
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
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Excited about adopting a kitten? You should be.
Caring for a cat can enrich your life in ways no other pet can. And compared to dogs, they’re much more affordable!
Every new “cat mother” makes mistakes, but neglecting to prepare for the new arrival can end up costing you thousands more than you’d planned — or worse, endangering your tiny new friend.
Make sure to have this groundwork in place before bringing kitty home.
#1. Cat-Proof Your Furniture (Before It’s Too Late.)
The sound of tiny paws going to town on your living room sofa would be cute if it didn’t mean a destroyed sofa.
Here are a few ways to keep your cats from destroying your furniture:
- Scratch guards: Dozens of scratch guards are available to help your furniture survive your newest family member. Try lining your sofa legs with clear anti-scratch tape, like Sticky Paws.
- Claw caps: Claw caps are another safe alternative to declawing. These disposable guards cover your cat’s claws to prevent them from shredding your stuff. (And, they come in assorted colors that make your cat’s claws look freshly manicured. Fashionista cats love it.)
- Nail trimming: A cat with shorter nails will cause less damage. Keeping your cat’s nails trimmed will make it nearly impossible for them to get hooked on furniture fabric.
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#2. Reduce Cat Dander!
When friends or family with cat allergies come to visit, they may not be so excited about the new addition. But with a little extra planning, they won’t feel a thing.
Declare the guest room a “furball free zone.” If you have a sofa bed for guests, make sure it’s made of leather instead of fabric, so dander won’t accumulate as easily.
Stock up on pet-safe dander removal sprays like Aller-Pet that reduce the effects of cat allergens. If you’re feeling extra considerate, install a HEPA filter to eliminate 99% of the dander in your home.
#3. Get Pet Insurance For Your Kitten
Just like people, kittens need vaccines and regular check-ups to keep them healthy. Contact your local veterinarian for an estimate in your area.
Also like people, vet bills can get pretty extravagant. If you can’t handle the mandatory vet bill, for kitty’s sake, hold off on adopting until you can afford it.
While some prefer to go the savings route, other cat owners opt for kitten insurance as a backup plan to help pay the vet bills in case of an emergency or unforeseen health crisis.
Pet insurance is an excellent way to protect your kitten and yourself from massive bills.
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
#3. Consider Doubling Up on Furry Friends.
Kittens have boundless energy!
Even if you work from home, your kitty needs a lot of love and attention throughout the day that you may not be able to keep up with.
Bringing home a littermate will keep him entertained and happy all day long.
(Just make sure they get along, first!)
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#4. Don’t Use Your Hands to Play With Your Kitten!
Kittens that are small enough to hold in the palm of your hand can make anything seem cute — even clawing chunks out of your fingers. Adult cats with full-grown teeth and claws? Not so much.
Teach your kitty early in his life that human hands are not for biting.
Invest in a cat tree and plenty of toys, and scold him with an aggressive voice when he confuses your foot for a squeaky toy.
With these preparations in place, the process of welcoming a kitten into the home will be as seamless as possible.
Congratulations on your new kitty.
Other articles you may find helpful:
Is Exotic Pet Insurance Necessary?
The Best Pet Insurance By State
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5 Training Commands to Save Your Dog’s Life
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We have worked hard to provide you with all the free resources possible to help give you insight into the best pet insurance for cats, additional cat breeds info, common cat health issues, and a fun look at frequently asked cat questions.
Other Frequently asked cat questions and some unsolicited catty advice…
Why your cat ignores you when you call it?
How to stop your cat from scratching the carpet?
Can you make a feral cat a pet?
Why does my cat pee outside the litter box?
Why do people walk their cats on a leash?
4 Ways to prepare for a new kitten
10 hidden hazards for indoor cats
Why changing your cat’s food is risky
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
That is really good article, thank you for it! In fact, I have never known that you can buy pet-safe dander removal sprays that reduce the effects of cat allergens. Shame on me, but still, thank you! Also, really good advice about furniture – I did a mistake and after 6 months I had to buy a new coach 😀
Great article! Most people don’t realize how much of a handful a little kitten can be. When they start growing, they can jump incredibly high and get over all your barricades. It’s great to bring home two kittens so they can play with each other – just don’t forget that two cats can knock over more decorations and tear up twice as much stuff.
If you get a leather (or vinyl couch), make sure and spot-test it for discoloration if you use Bitter Apple or some other pet deterrent. Leather and vinyl can be torn up almost as easily as cloth.
A lot of cat owners provide a transparent tube for the kittens so they can play outside without any fear of being picked up by a hawk or hunted down by dogs. They’re impossible to contain with a normal 6-foot wooden fence, and they can crawl through chain link.
If a kitty tries to bite your foot, redirect his attentions to a suitable cat toy. I don’t use an aggressive voice with kittens at all. I do use protective clothing and keep them busy biting and clawing things they’re supposed to bite and claw. I want my kitties to come to me when they grow up and I don’t want them to be afraid of me at all.
🙂
“when he confuses your foot for a squeaky toy.”
Ha, so literally every night when I come home from work! It’s crazy actually – I think he misses me, but if I try to pick him up, he just wants to get down. Then he continues attacking my legs and feet! I’m not actually sure what to make of it, but I’ll just assume it’s because he likes me 😉
When I got my first kitten, I was amazed at how much energy it had! It was a lot of work. Making sure it had plenty of things to play with really is important because if they get bored, things will get torn up. I’ve never had a problem with cat dander so I didn’t have to worry about that but I know a lot of people do so the suggestion about cat allergens is a great idea.
Having a playmate is probably the best way to make sure they are happy. It keeps them occupied and also gives them the opportunity to interact with another cat. Thanks for the informative post!
Great article! I had no idea there was such a thing as claw guards. That would be helpful for our little kitty! She’s about 10 weeks old and quite hyper (a.k.a. bouncing off of furniture). I know my husband lives in fear for his leather recliner. So I may have to look into those!
Fantastic advice! People don’t realize, but kittens are a lot of work! They need to be watched carefully and/or kept in a safe place while you’re gone to avoid new habits being formed like playing with rolls of toilet paper and such. They get into everything!
Yes, kittens are a lot of hard work at the start, but it’s worth it! 🙂
Kittens are the most wonderful tiny creatures on Earth, but they come complete with insatiable curiosity, which can be their downfall unless you stay one step ahead. At the very least, your kitten will need food, a place to sleep, a scratching post or pad, and a litter box and litter. Of course, you won’t be able to pass up a few toys. They will make the coming home experience a little easier on your new addition, especially since he’ll be isolated from any other cats the first few days. The first year of a cat’s life sets the pace for his future development, health, and well-being so it‘s essential that he eats a quality food developed for kittens.
Having adopted rescue cats and kittens over the past 35 years, I can say this method work. Patience is needed for the benefit of your new and existing pets.
Thanks for the useful information! I have noticed that when I have a cat there is no mouse in our house, though we don’t let the cat into the house. Cats have many benefits for children, especially for their growing. I will take advantage of this information in future.
Thanks for the useful information! i like this 4 preparation ways .