Expert Tips for Welcoming a Kitten. Fostering kittens and cats has risen in popularity during these unprecedented times, and many pet lovers are becoming fosters to help overcrowded animal shelters. Fostering a kitten can be a fun and exciting time, but it may also come with a learning curve. (Family Features)
Among the 43% of respondents to a Royal Canin survey, who have fostered a pet, 6 in 10 have “foster failed” and permanently adopted the pet they were fostering. Most pet owners who responded also agree the first year of pet ownership is the most important, but 64% believe it is the most difficult, as well.
Whether you’re fostering or adopting a kitten, learn how to give your kitten proper care during her first weeks and months with you with this advice from the experts at Royal Canin.
Arriving Home The new sights sound and smells in your home, and the separation from her mother, may make your kitten feel stressed. Keeping the environment calm and quiet can ease the transition.
When you arrive home, put the cat carrier in the room you’ve prepared for the kitten with the kitten still inside, allowing her to get acclimated before opening the door. Then allow the kitten to explore a closed-off area. Resist the urge to cuddle your kitten right away.
As your kitten gains confidence in its new surroundings, she will want to explore more. Make sure the environment is prepared with electrical wires and outlets covered; windows, balconies, and stairs secured; and small or sharp objects put away so she can safely explore with your supervision. If there are possible hazards, a designated room with windows and plenty of social contact for the first few weeks may be better.
Creating a Safe Place Kittens can tire easily. After a little exploration time, give your kitten access to a bed in a cozy, quiet place with access to water, food, and a litter box. Turning out the light helps establish sleep patterns, but on the first night, you might want to leave a night light on to help with the adjustment.
Provide somewhere quiet to eat. This should be somewhere your kitten feels secure, away from where you and any other pets eat. Cats don’t like to eat too near their litter boxes and should always have fresh water available.
As kittens grow rapidly, their digestive and immune systems develop slowly and they have specific nutritional needs that are different from adult cats. Any sudden changes in your kitten’s diet can cause digestive trouble, so for the first few days, keep the same feeding routine as the previous caretaker. You can slowly switch to a different routine if you choose, and transition to kitten food suitable for the appropriate growth stage. For example, Royal Canin Kitten formulas are tailor-made with optimal vitamins and minerals to support healthy development.
Ongoing Care Your kitten should see a veterinarian as soon as possible. In addition to a general health check, your vet can help you create a vaccination schedule and give advice on deworming, nutrition, and more. Always use a carrier to transport your kitten safely while in the car and into the vet’s office.
Gradually introducing your kitten to new experiences can help with socialization. New sounds can startle a kitten, so be ready to offer plenty of reassurance. You may also need to introduce new terrains like stairs or unfamiliar surfaces. Gentle play and careful handling can help your kitten become more comfortable with being touched.
Learn more about proper cat nutrition and how to create a welcoming home at royalcanin.com.
5 fun ways to entertain your cat
Thanks to the pandemic, many people have gone from working in an office to working from home, giving cat owners a chance to spend more time with their furry friends. With all this extra time, you have the opportunity to strengthen the bond you share with your cat while helping them get active and stay healthy. (BPT)
Fortunately, there are several enrichment activities you can set up indoors to give them some much-needed mental stimulation and prevent destructive behaviors. 1. Plan a treasure hunt
One of the easiest ways to make a quick activity for your cat is to create a treasure hunt. All you have to do is hide small amounts of dry cat food in various spots around your house. Throughout the day, your cat can “hunt” for their food, which will keep them active in a fun and engaging way. 2. Play a game Cats need mental stimulation just as much as humans — playing a game is a simple way to provide a stimulating, enriching experience. Friskies Cat Fishing 2, a free app available for iOS or Android, is a game designed specifically for cats. The app plays special sounds and displays schools of fish, encouraging your cat to pounce like she would in the wild. The more fish your cat catches, the higher the score. You can even keep track of her score and share it on social media. 3. Make a puzzle feeder
The active pursuit of food is instinctive for cats. A puzzle feeder is a great way to appeal to your cat’s desire for physical and mental stimulation. All you need is a plastic water or soda bottle and a utility knife. Use the knife to cut a few small holes in the sides of the clean, sanitized bottle. Make sure the holes are big enough for pieces of kibble to pass through. Place some dry kibble into the bottle, screw on the cap, and let your cat get to work. 4. Create your own cat toy
Cat toys don’t have to be expensive or complicated. Get crafty to keep your cat busy with a DIY wand toy. Start with a wooden dowel (about three feet in length and half-inch diameter), a barrel swivel, and some fishing line. Then, gather materials to customize your wand — like-colored pom-poms, colored felt, feathers, and jingle bells. 5. Go for a walk
It may seem unorthodox, but cats can be trained to walk on a leash. Many cats enjoy getting out to explore the neighborhood. Taking your cat for a walk lets them safely experience the great outdoors. It can also give them some necessary exercise.
Planning activities for your cat keeps them entertained, helps them stay healthy, and can strengthen the bond you share. Try these activities for quick and easy ways to enrich your cat’s life at home.
For all your cats listening pleasures, try EZZ JAZZZZZZZZZZ
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5 fun ways to entertain your cat
5 fun ways to entertain your cat
Thanks to the pandemic, many people have gone from working in an office to working from home, giving cat owners a chance to spend more time with their furry friends. With all this extra time, you have the opportunity to strengthen the bond you share with your cat while helping them get active and stay healthy. (BPT)
Fortunately, there are several enrichment activities you can set up indoors to give them some much-needed mental stimulation and prevent destructive behaviors.
1. Plan a treasure hunt
One of the easiest ways to make a quick activity for your cat is to create a treasure hunt. All you have to do is hide small amounts of dry cat food in various spots around your house. Throughout the day, your cat can “hunt” for their food, which will keep them active in a fun and engaging way.
2. Play a game
Cats need mental stimulation just as much as humans — playing a game is a simple way to provide a stimulating, enriching experience. Friskies Cat Fishing 2, a free app available for iOS or Android, is a game designed specifically for cats. The app plays special sounds and displays schools of fish, encouraging your cat to pounce like she would in the wild. The more fish your cat catches, the higher the score. You can even keep track of her score and share it on social media.
3. Make a puzzle feeder
The active pursuit of food is instinctive for cats. A puzzle feeder is a great way to appeal to your cat’s desire for physical and mental stimulation. All you need is a plastic water or soda bottle and a utility knife. Use the knife to cut a few small holes in the sides of the clean, sanitized bottle. Make sure the holes are big enough for pieces of kibble to pass through. Place some dry kibble into the bottle, screw on the cap, and let your cat get to work.
4. Create your own cat toy
Cat toys don’t have to be expensive or complicated. Get crafty to keep your cat busy with a DIY wand toy. Start with a wooden dowel (about three feet in length and half-inch diameter), a barrel swivel, and some fishing line. Then, gather materials to customize your wand — like-colored pom-poms, colored felt, feathers, and jingle bells.
5. Go for a walk
It may seem unorthodox, but cats can be trained to walk on a leash. Many cats enjoy getting out to explore the neighborhood. Taking your cat for a walk lets them safely experience the great outdoors. It can also give them some necessary exercise.
Planning activities for your cat keeps them entertained, helps them stay healthy, and can strengthen the bond you share. Try these activities for quick and easy ways to enrich your cat’s life at home.
For all your cats listening pleasures, try EZZ JAZZZZZZZZZZ
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