Bringing a new kitten into the house is always an exciting time. Generally, kittens are very excited and create a cheerful atmosphere with their uniqueness and curiosity. There will be times when you are irritated by the cat's movements and activities. There are several steps you can take to make your cat more calm and relaxed but still maintain its youthful exuberance and vibrancy.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing the Cat for Holding
Step 1. Choose the right age
Kittens are usually more sociable between two and seven weeks of age. This means that kittens are more receptive to new animals, people and situations at this age. While a responsible cat owner won't separate the kitten from its mother until 8 weeks of age, this time is well behind the recommended timeframe. That means, the previous cat owner was obliged to make the kitten socialize while still with its mother and siblings.
If you know you'll see before this time is over, visit the cat and its mother to make sure your potential kitten is already socializing with humans and with you
Step 2. Adopt a sociable kitten
When adopting a kitten from a home after this period is over or if you are adopting one from an animal shelter, you should make sure that the kitten is able to socialize with humans. Make sure the kitten you choose will come up to you, showing curiosity and wanting your attention. He shouldn't hiss or get goosebumps at you after a few minutes of meeting you.
Watch out for kittens who do this and make sure they open up to you
Step 3. Don't rush
When you are choosing a kitten for adoption, you should think carefully before bringing it home. This will give you enough time to see if his temperament matches yours. Plan to spend at least an hour getting to know the kitten to get an understanding of its personality. Pet him and love him to see if he doesn't mind being touched and make sure he likes humans.
You'll know when your kitten is really comfortable with you when it starts purring while in your arms
Step 4. Help the kitten during the transition process
When you first bring your kitten home, know that it will be shy and cautious for a few days. The experience of changing locations is the biggest distraction in his life. It makes sense that your cat will feel unsure or embarrassed at first because she's still adapting to her new home.
- You can help with this transition by asking the previous owner for blankets or towels that the kitten, siblings, and mother used. This will give the kitten a familiar smell to make him feel connected and soothe him in his new home.
- If you adopted him from the shelter, ask if you can take home the blankets the kitten used while he was there or if there are blankets from his siblings too to give him a similar smell.
Step 5. Balance your attention
When you get a new kitten, you'll want to play with it and give it your all-around attention. Instead of doing this, balance your attention. Give the kitten attention, but don't hold it all the time. If he wants to get away from you, put him down and let him run. Over time, the kitten will seek your attention.
Pay attention to this issue if you have children, especially young ones. They will not understand the concept that kittens need alone time. Make sure you keep an eye on any interactions your child has with the kitten so no one gets hurt or upset
Method 2 of 3: Providing Energy Channels
Step 1. Play with it
Once your kitten is comfortable in its new home, start playing with it. This will help burn off all the extra energy in the kitten's body. Try buying a few different toys that are good for kittens. For example, a fluffy stick toy is a fun and interactive toy for you and your kitten.
Toys that can be hit or chased can also be a good choice. Try toy mice and balls. You can even use a small flashlight or laser pointer for the cat which is fun for the kitten when he tries to catch the light
Step 2. Play in a good way
Cats need to be played with a certain amount of time so that they can channel enough energy. Try to play with him at least twice a day for 15 minutes or more at a time. This will help you strengthen your bond with the kitten and make it feel secure.
- never ever let the kitten play with yarn, wool, or rubber gloves. These items can be swallowed and can cause digestive problems that are dangerous, even deadly.
- Do not let the kitten play with your paws or hands. This is adorable when he's a kid, but can be a serious problem when he's older. If the kitten starts playing with your hands or feet, replace it with one of its toys to make it attack the toy.
Step 3. Buy places to exercise
If you don't have time to play with your kitten every day or if he's still out of control after these sessions, buy a scratching or climbing pole. This toy can be in the form of a tower or pole that can be made vertically or horizontally. Kittens will use this scratching post to leave their smell and play.
- A climbing tower can also provide exercise for the kitten and provide a safe place for him to observe everything that is happening in the house.
- Try replacing it with a window that can be the perfect place to see activities outside the home.
Method 3 of 3: Avoiding Bad Behavior
Step 1. Use cat pheromones
Kittens often become hyperactive because of the hormones. You can try to counteract this with cat pheromones like Feliway. This pheromone is often used to ward off cats from urinating, but it can also be used to calm kittens down.
This spray contains chemicals that cats produce naturally. That's why pheromones can help calm him down. Feliway is available as a wipe, spray, or auto spray
Step 2. Try the remote system
When a kitten is very hyperactive, it may try to jump on furniture that is not allowed. To prevent this, try an automatic spray that will work when capturing motion such as the "SssCat" product. This spray will release dew when the kitten approaches an area that is not allowed.
- You can also try gluing double tips to the surface. The sticky feeling will irritate the kitten and prevent it from rising to the surface.
- While this is a popular method, using a water spray bottle as punishment only happens when you're around him. This won't be very effective because the cat will link the punishment to you and make him afraid of you.
- Even if your cat learns not to jump on the counter or kitchen counter, keep all food away so the kitten can't touch it.
Step 3. Provide sufficient surface to scratch
A hyperactive kitten will vent its energy by clawing at furniture, walls, and other surfaces. To prevent your kitten from scratching at these things, you'll need to provide a sufficient amount of scratching surface. Scratching poles allow your cat to claw up and down, so buy a variety of different shapes and sizes of scratching poles.
- Different breeds of kittens will prefer different surfaces, so try a few to find out which one he likes.
- Make scratching posts stand out in familiar places in your home. Make other places, such as sofas and other furniture less attractive by sticking double tips on the surface.
Step 4. Give the kitten enough space
You may want to spend all your free time with a new kitten, especially when it's your first time getting one. However, kittens need space and time to be alone. Give him time to sleep, play, and look out the window. If you constantly bother him, he will hide to avoid you.
Learn to understand the kitten's cues that indicate when he is tired of playing. This could be an attack on you and then running to hide and crying out of frustration
Tips
- Cats living indoors tend to require more attention and playtime than cats living outdoors. This cat will love to run after the ball or jump high when you play with a stick with fur attached to the end.
- Remember to treat kittens with respect. Cats are animals and you can't really control them. However, you can have fun with it.
- Kittens have sharp claws and teeth that can cause them to scratch you accidentally. Be careful when you hold it. Learn how to trim a kitten's nails or take him to the vet to trim his nails.
- Don't yell at the kitten. It would only frighten him.
