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By Dr. Jean Hofve
Kittens have a way of turning up when you least expect them! If a kitten has appeared in your life, or if you're getting the urge to add a new feline family member, it's smart to consider these important issues! (And don't forget that there are millions of wonderful, healthy adult cats waiting for a home like yours!) Where does kitty come from? Your best plan is to adopt from a shelter or rescue. From May to October (or even later), shelters are inundated with unwanted kittens. Chances are good that you can even find a purebred through these sources. For instance, on a single summer day, Petfinder listed 2 Siamese, 1 Snowshoe, and 7 Maine Coon kittens among the many choices available in the Denver area. Find a local shelter through the APSCA's directory, check out Petfinder, or look up a breed rescue. Petsmart and Petco also support local shelters by sponsoring adoptions through their stores. Feral (homeless, wild) cats often choose quiet spots in garages or under porches to have their babies. If brought into a home and socialized to people before about 8-10 weeks of age, these kittens can be wonderful companions. However, after 8 weeks (and especially after age 6 months), without prior human contact, they may be very difficult to tame. For more information on feral cats, Alley Cat Allies is a wonderful resource. Please, never purchase a kitten from a pet store! No matter what the salesperson tells you, it is a stone cold fact that pet stores get their animals from only two places: irresponsible "backyard breeders" or commercial mills, where cats spend their lives as breeders in cramped, dirty cages with little human contact. Yes, there are kitten mills, although puppy mills are much more common. (For info on mills, see Critter Haven). Kittens from either source are likely to have parasites, hidden genetic and health problems, and significant socialization deficiencies. People are often taken in by those pitiful little faces and want to save them, but every well-intentioned "rescue" of a pet store kitten condemns another mother cat to a horrible life. Suppliers don't care why you bought it, they only know that you just put money in their pockets. Newspaper ads, internet classifieds, and friends whose cat "accidentally" got pregnant are also poor sources for health as well as ethical reasons. Unplanned breeding is the #1 cause of pet overpopulation in this country. Please urge your friends to get their cat spayed before another "accident" occurs (cats can produce 2 or 3 litters per year!). Purebred "hobby" breeders are a cut above the rest, but they are still purposely bringing kittens into a world where 8-10 million homeless animals die in shelters every year in the U.S. If your heart is set on a purebred cat, do your homework and thoroughly research your breed. For instance, purebred cats have notoriously poor immune systems. Persian cats are prone to chronic upper respiratory and ocular diseases, Abyssinians have dental problems, and "wildcat" hybrids like Bengals and Pixie-Bobs have serious temperament issues as they get older. Make sure the breeder you deal with is reputable. Remember, buying supports cruel mills and irresponsible breeding, but adopting saves lives. What do I need to make kitty feel at home? If possible, gather these supplies ahead of time to set up a "base camp" for your kitten. Especially if you have other pets at home, a "safe" room for the kitten is essential. This will be a room, such as a spare bedroom or bathroom, where the kitten will spend its first days in its new home. You'll need: litterbox, kitty litter, and scooper to clean the box; canned food, dry food, and bowls (glass or ceramic are best); toys, comb, brush, bed (a fluffy towel or blanket will work), scratching post, carrier, collar, and identification tag. You'll also need to "kitten-proof" the base camp area and, eventually, the house. Insert "child-proof" electric plug protectors in all unused outlets. Remove breakable items from shelves and tables (you'd be surprised how fast and how high kittens can jump or climb). Cover exposed wires with foam pipe insulation to prevent chewing. Remove slatted furniture such as chairs to prevent kitty from getting his head caught. Tie blind and curtain cords out of reach, and clean up rubber bands, tacks, paper clips, string, and other small items that could be ingested. Be extremely cautious when using a recliner, and know where the kitten is before getting up—many a kitten has been injured or even killed in the mechanism. If base camp is in the kitchen or bathroom, make sure cleaning products are securely stored; install child-proof latches on cabinets if necessary.
It is not at all unusual for the new kitten to seem extra-sensitive, fearful, agitated, or is just having a hard time adjusting. Flower essence formulas from Spirit Essences can be very helpful. We've actually developed a formula especially for the stress a newcomer experiences called "Changing Times." This remedy not only helps adjustment into the new home, but eases anxiety from being in a rescue or shelter environment, and even helps to release emotional baggage from past abuse. Introducing a kitten to other pets. At first, the kitten should be separated in a room with a door. Both the kitten and the other pets can sniff at each other under the door. Feed kitten and the other pets near the door (on the opposite sides, of course!), as close to the door as possible without upsetting the animals. This establishes an association between the animals and something good—food! Exchange sleeping blankets between the kitten and other pet(s), or rub a towel on the kitten and allow the other pets to smell it, and vice versa. This helps get them become familiar with each others' scents without the chances for a physical encounter. You can also switch places—put the resident animal(s) in the kitten's room and allow the kitten to explore the house. Again, this allows familiarity to develop without feeling threatened. During the introduction process, which may take a couple of weeks, be sure to give the resident pets lots of extra love and attention. This will help them not feel threatened by the newcomer. When the animals all seem to feel comfortable, crack open the door and allow them to see each other. Or, put the kitten in its carrier and bring it out so the others can see. With cats, expect some hissing and growling; it's perfectly natural. Do this a few times a day. If the animals seem too hostile or aggressive, back up to previous steps and go more slowly. When things simmer down, it's time to let the kitten out. If you have a dog, leash it when the kitten is out and about. Most dogs are fine, but occasionally a bouncing, small, furry kitten will trigger the hunting instinct in even the most placid dog. If that happens, it will be over in a split second—you are not fast enough to stop a tragedy. Prevention is the key! Reward the dog for calm, non-aggressive behavior with praise and treats, to help the dog associate the kitten with good things. For the first few weeks, until you are confident in all the animals' behavior, separate them from the kitten when you are unable to supervise them (when you are out, or sleeping). Veterinary care. Your kitten should be dewormed and checked for infectious disease such as feline leukemia and FIV (feline AIDS) before being exposed to resident cats. Vaccine guidelines have changed. It is no longer necessary to give annual vaccines; but kittens need core vaccines such as distemper and rabies to protect them. Most kittens do not need leukemia, FIP, or FIV vaccines. Shelters typically give the first vaccine. Discuss your kitten's vaccination schedule with your vet. Consider microchipping your kitten if this was not done at the shelter. Even if you do not plan to let your kitten outside, accidental escapes do happen! A microchip is cheap insurance that lasts a lifetime. Of course, if your kitten is not already sterilized, please spay or neuter!
_________________________________________________________________________________For personal assistance with your cat's behavior problems, call Jackson Galaxy at Little Big Cat! Schedule a consultation at 310-376-6616 or find out more at our consulting web page.
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