Protocol For Introducing Kitten Into Your Home

Now it is time to be sure that you are prepared and understand the best way to acclimate your new baby to your home, your family, perhaps your other pets and your children. Below are the main things to be considered to give your new baby the best possible start in their new life.

Quarantine: ALWAYS plan to keep your new kitten separated from other animals and children for at least one week! Plan ahead of time and have things ready before you bring your new baby home. This is of up-most importance for several reasons; first being that your new kitty will be under a great deal of stress after traveling for several hours and many times stress can cause new kitty to become sick with an upper respiratory infection or a gastrointestinal
infection. Often times though these conditions and the viruses that cause them can lay dormant for 3 days before any signs of symptoms. So your new kitty may seem completely fine upon arrival and then on day 3 or 4 have a cold! This is why you must quarantine for a week to 10 days, you do not want your other pets to become sick as well if this does happen, and unfortunately it is a fairy common occurrence.

Food and Supplements: It is also important to be sure you have the same food your kitten had been eating at home and ready for them when they arrive. We of course have a list of all that information and even offer you to purchase the food directly from us if you live locally to make it more convenient for you. Feed your kitten only this food for at least the first two weeks. Then, if you decide to switch your babies food do it very slowly over the course of a couple weeks by mixing the old food and the new food together gradually adding more of the new food until it is completely switched. This is important as to not cause diarrhea which can lead to dehydration and your new kitty feeling sick. In addition, we STRONGLY advise you to use Forti Flora probiotic supplement. This supplement is very helpful to your cat by giving them beneficial bacteria to help their digestive tracts and immune systems.

When to see a Vet: We recommend taking your new kitten to the Vet within 3 days of purchase to validate Contract. Therefore, go ahead and set up an appointment with your vet before you pick up your new kitten, as they are sometimes booked up. If at anytime your new kitten has diarrhea, vomiting, runny nose, goopy eyes or stops eating take them to a vet immediately. Kittens have fragile immune systems, and diarrhea can quickly cause dehydration in a tiny baby kitten. Upper Respiratory infections can quickly turn from a “cold” to something worse. If a kitten stops eating and you don’t see any outward symptoms, still take them to a vet as they could have a foreign body in their stomach or an intestinal infection. If any of these things happen do not delay and take them quickly to your vet as well as contact us for info as we may can help with ideas while you are preparing for a vet visit.

We hope this helps you be prepared and eliminates anxiety surrounding your new arrival. As long as you follow these steps and precautions all will go very smooth, and your new kitty will be happy and healthy for years to come. The HUGE key to all successful homecomings is that you reserve a lot of time and patience! Patience is a MUST! Your new kitty and other animals will need at least a full 3 week period before they are fully acclimated so be sure to be patient, patient and more patient! As always, any questions just ASK!