· Have realistic expectations, it takes time for your pet to adjust.
· Provide privacy and a safe haven for your kitty.
· A corner of a bathroom works well with a litter box, food & water.
· A cardboard box, or something fancier if you wish, will give your kitty a place to hide.
· Place kittens in a large crate or cage with litter box, food & water at night for their safety.
· Let things happen gradually.
· Your kitty may be extremely scared and not want to come out of hiding in this new territory.
· Allow your kitty to come out of hiding on his/her own.
· Do not reach for the kitty, let him come to you.
· Talk to him/her in a soothing voice so the kitty will get use to your voice.
· The kitty will eventually get curious and come out of hiding and explore his/her new home.
· Do not be surprised if your kitty doesn’t want to eat. This is common. Be patient and keep trying.
· Your kitty is going through a change in environment and it can be stressful. It is not uncommon for the kitty to experience an illness due to this change.
· If you have other pets make sure you keep them separated for a few days.
· Introduce your new kitty slowly to your existing family of furry friends.
· Remember your first pets believe the area is their territory. The new kitty is an intruder.
· Make sure your new kitty has his/her own litter box.
· They need to get use to each other’s scents.
· Swap their scents. Switch sleeping blankets or beds.
· You can also make them all smell alike. Your perfume is a good option to use. You can use baby powder on them or baby powder spray sold in pet stores.
Food:
Wet: Our kitties (including kittens) are fed 1/4 can of wet food 1st thing in morning. Mostly turkey & chicken varieties, loaf/ pate or filet, no fish. Try to get foods where chicken or turkey is #1 ingredient. If not 1st at least 2nd or 3rd. Please do not buy canned food with Wheat Gluten. Cats can be allergic and Wheat Gluten is used as a protein ingredient. We do not give fish because of problems it can create with their urinary tract, especially in males.
Dry: We then give 1 cup dry (½ cup 2 times) per day in the morning & at dinner time. We like to give them Purina One Chicken & Rice and currently giving them Purina One Sensative Systems where turkey is the number 1 ingredient. The first ingredient in Purina One Chicken & Rice is chicken. Kittens are fed Purina One Healthy Kitten. It is a fact cats won't eat as much if the food is of better quality like the Purina One formulas. Food that lists meat as the primary ingredient and food that doesn't contain food preservatives or dye.
Litter: Our cats are use to using pine litter nuggets in their litterbox. It is healthier for them and us because we are not breathing all that dust from clay litter. Feline Fresh Clumping Pine is used for the kittens and the original Feline Fresh Pine Logs are used for the adults. If you plan to use clay varieties, you may need to transition them to it by mixing them until you are using full clay litter.
