5 Tips for Introducing a Kitten to a Toddler.

Just a few days ago we adopted a kitten from a neighbor. On the way home from choosing said kitten, we found an abandoned kitten in a bush. Autumn *had* to rescue it. She said "My baby is hungry and wants me to hold it." So sure enough, we took them both inside. I thought cats were easy. They used a litter box, they were pretty self-sufficient, and they liked to sleep a lot. Right? 

Oh God was I wrong. 
I feel like I have a newborn. Or two.

5 Tips for re-homing kittens:

1.Kitten proof the place. Hide away cords, wires, and small children's toys that may be accidentally eaten by the cat. When we let them loose the first thing they ran to was the wires to our stereo system. We have now safely secured them in boxes. 

2.Have everything set and in place. Have the kitten's items in the place that they will stay prior to having kitty come home. I.E. The bed, the food/water area, the litter box. Take them on a tour, and then let them get comfortable in the home. They hid for a while, and it was definately difficult teaching Autumn to leave them be, but they finally felt safe enough to hop on the couch and watch TV with us yesterday evening. 

3.Find a vet and schedule an appointment for vaccines and a check up. This should be done within a week of them coming home with you. Wether you got them in a shelter that would be full of germs, or from a family, or from the alley- get them checked out and up to date. Also, this gives you a chance to become familiar with a vet so that you can have them as a provider in case the cats ever need care. Discuss with them the plan for spay/neuter and also check their policies to see if they accept payments in cases of emergencies, or if you qualify for any type of pet insurance. Also, after discussing rates you should begin to save money for possible health expenses. 

4.Keep your young one interactive with the kitten. Teach them how to behave around them, especially since they will be super excited upon their arrival. Explain to them that the kitten is in a new place and may be scared. Man handling, squeezing, and yelling will frighten them more. Whereas if they are gentle and speak softly the kitten will grow less weary of the child. Explain to them that kittens have sharp claws that only come out when they are frightened or threatened. Keep the child aware of the routine of the kitten. This means explaining that the litter box is for POOP and PEE and should not be played with, rather, it should be scooped out. Also, have them aware that the food/water area is not to be touched or tampered. It is only for food & water. 

5.Ensure the safety of your cat. Do this by having them wear a break away collar with a name tag & phone number. A collar with a bell is suggested so that they can't be too sneaky. Also, microchips are a great way to ensure your cats return if they were to sneak away. You can include this discussion in tip #3 and ask your vet prices for the microchipping. Click here for an example of the type of collar.