I got a kitten for the first time: the veterinarian gave advice on organizing the baby’s sleep

Teaching a kitten to a place to sleep

Having got a kitten, the owner wants it to follow certain rules in the house.
This is much easier with puppies, as they easily remember commands and can follow them. The cat is freedom-loving and, unconditionally trusting its owner, like a dog, will not willingly obey him. Many people want to train a kitten to sleep in its own place, as this makes it easier for it to go to the toilet at night. If the tray is located far away, then the baby may not rush to it, but will settle down somewhere near the place of sleep. The kitten tries to stay close to its owner and clings to him in his sleep. There is nothing wrong with this, but only if the owner himself is not against it. When it is necessary for your pet to sleep alone, you will need to be persistent and prepare a house for the animal.

Seven tips for those who have adopted a kitten

Photo: Oleg RUKAVITSIN

You saved a living being. You brought home a kitten from the street, and you didn’t even imagine that you would have so many questions. Is there something in his ear? Why are tears flowing from my eyes? He won't eat food from a bag, and does he even need a bowl? What to drink - milk or water? By the way, I might as well not pee on the carpet as a thank you... What if he is sick and contagious? And why hasn’t he crawled out from under the sofa for half a day?

When you adopt a cat from breeders, you get everything ready - a clean animal with vaccinations, toilet trained, usually a veterinarian’s phone number and the name of the food that this animal is guaranteed to eat. A kitten from the street is an unpredictable creature. He is afraid of his savior, he is not used to normal food, he has never been washed, he may have all possible diseases. In general, to turn an outdoor kitten into a pet, be patient.

1. Take to the vet

A kitten from the street can bring not only joy, but also ringworm, worms, fleas and ear scabies mites (dangerous for other pets).

“Give the kitten time to adapt to the new home, calm down, do not touch it for three days,” advises veterinarian Irina Bolotova. - And then, if the animal feels well, drinks, eats and runs, be sure to take it to the veterinary clinic. They will take tests from him, check his skin, ears, eyes, and advise him on what anti-worm remedy to choose and what anti-flea drops to put on the withers. 10-14 days after deworming, you need to make an appointment with a doctor to get your kitten vaccinated.

IMPORTANT:

Vaccinations can be given to a cat only after he is 2 months old. The age of the “foundling” will be determined by the doctor. Typically, at 1 month, kittens weigh approximately 700-800 grams.

2. Feed

You don't know what your kitten will want to eat, so try buying several types of wet food to offer your guest. If you decide to feed regular food (minced meat, fish, meat), do not mix it with ready-made food. There should be water in the bowl at all times. NOT MILK! Contrary to fairy tales and folk beliefs, cats do not digest milk well.

3. Put him to bed

Don’t expect a street-frightened kitten to immediately lie down on your lap and have fun playing with a toy mouse. The cat can sit under the sofa or in the closet for a couple of days (he himself will find a place to hide). Give him a room, don’t try to lure him out, get him, or pick him up. If you have other pets at home, do not rush to introduce them to the new one. Let the kitten sit in silence, get used to the sounds of your home, sniff and realize that he is not in danger.

BY THE WAY

If you want to make friends with your other pets, you can try this: first pet the new kitten with a sock or towel, and then pet the other pet with the same sock or towel. This way the animals will understand that their smells “live” nearby in the same house.

4. Play

A kitten needs games just like a child. This movement, without which the cat is at risk of becoming overweight, is both a mood and an opportunity for you to make friends with a new pet. There are no cats in the world who would remain indifferent to a paper bow or a rustling piece of paper on a string, or a feather on a stick. All this will help you lure a scared cat out of hiding, and help him relax and have fun. Start the game unobtrusively, don’t crawl under the sofa and don’t insist. Wait until the cat comes out to play.

5. Stay close

Picking up a cat, bringing it home and leaving it alone for the whole day is pointless. So the animal will not get used to you, you will not be able to make friends. At first, try to spend as much time as possible with the “foundling” - play, stroke and scratch the baby, talk to him. As soon as the cat understands that you love him, he will stop being afraid.

IMPORTANT

When the cat feels like the master of your house, he will very quickly seize power, kick you out of your favorite pillow and take your cashmere sweater for himself. Remember, tenderness is tenderness, but the pet must understand who is the boss in the house and who is the cat. Learn to show your cat cunning.

6. Train to the tray

Buy a tray and add filler. It is important for cats to have something in the litter box that they can dig and bury in. Sand, fine filler. It is not interesting to bury it in newspaper or paper. Select a suitable location for the tray and wait. As soon as the kitten fusses and starts digging or looking for a place to toilet, carefully and calmly pick him up and carry him to the litter box. If he “does the job” on the carpet, scold him and take him back to the litter box. The main thing is that the kitten can see the way to the litter box, and that the door to the toilet or bath (where his toilet is located) is always open.

7. Don't be annoying

It’s clear that you want a soft fluffy ball to lie in your arms all the time, purring and purring. But the cat is an independent animal and does not tolerate annoying owners. If you pick him up, he will run away. You put him on your lap, he will jump off. There is no need to chase the kitten (and it is very important to explain to young children that a cat is not a toy that can be dragged around and dressed up in a dress). Give him the opportunity to “choose” you, come up, lie down in your arms. Just be prepared to pet your cat at all times.

What should a sun lounger be like?

In order for the kitten to want to sleep in its place, you need to provide it with a comfortable bed. You can't just lay a rug in the corner and think that's enough . The cat, like the owner, should have a comfortable, cozy sleeping place where he will feel safe.

To teach a kitten to sleep in a new place, they make a house for it from a box, a basket, or buy a ready-made one at a pet store. Some pets like their sleeping place to rock. A special hammock is suitable for them, which can even be attached to a battery. The lounger should always be kept clean and dry. To prevent the baby from freezing at night and waking up from it, he needs to put on a heating pad. It is placed on one edge of the bedding, but not on the entire bottom, so that the pet can cool down if desired. You can also lean the lounger against the radiator.

It is good if the bedding is located in the place that the cat chose itself. A kitten, once in a new home, goes to sleep where it is comfortable and calm, and its wishes must be taken into account whenever possible. It is unacceptable to arrange it on the aisle in a noisy and drafty place. A room in which the light is on for a long time is also not suitable, as it will wake up the baby.

How to help a kitten adapt to a new home: possible problems

The first days of a kitten in a new home rarely go smoothly, but quickly enough everything returns to normal. But it is also possible that problems may arise after the kitten has moved to a new home. Their occurrence is more likely the sooner the baby is separated from his mother. If a kitten finds itself in a new home at 1 month old, then difficulties await you. At this age, he still needs to eat his mother's milk, and if he is weaned early, problems with digestion will begin. Also, the mother should teach him to use a scratching post, go to the litter box, not let out his claws while playing, etc. As a rule, a kitten learns this only by 2-2.5 months. You can wean him from his mother at about 2.5-3 months. Let's look at the most common problems associated with adaptation.

Kitten is afraid of new home

In the first hours, everything will be unusual for the baby: furniture, smells, sounds, people... Therefore, he can walk on end, sneak around on half-bent legs, and hide. This is a normal reaction, but the owner can take care in advance of how to calm the kitten in the new home.

First, you need to “settle” the smell of his family there. As we said, you can ask the breeder to give you sand from the mother's litter tray, as well as the kitten's favorite toy or bedding. This way he will hear familiar smells in his new home and will calm down faster.

A more radical method of how to accustom a kitten to a new home faster is to use a special veterinary drug based on cat pheromones. However, this method, although not harmful, is resorted to only in cases where adaptation goes very badly. There is no need to resort to this method right away.

Kitten screams in new home

If a kitten constantly meows or squeaks in its new home, this means that it is afraid and is looking for its mother. In the first days, this is completely acceptable behavior; there is no need to worry too much. But if this lasts a long time, then you can also try a pheromone-based drug.

Kitten crying in new home

Some owners notice that the kitten is crying with tears in her eyes. These are not the same tears as people have because of frustration. This is a sign that the animal’s immunity has decreased due to stress and it contracted an infection on the way or in the breeder’s house. Often these tears go away on their own within a couple of weeks. But if the infection is severe or the stress is excessive and prolonged, veterinary help may be needed. Keep the animal's condition under control.

Kitten won't eat in new home

If the kitten does not eat in its new home for the first hours or day, this is normal. If he has not eaten for more than a day, this indicates excessive stress. Usually there are no problems with eating in a new place, because this is one of the basic instincts. Do not force the animal to eat, but make sure it drinks water.

Kitten doesn't go to the toilet

More often the problem arises not with food, but with the toilet. Usually in the first days the kitten experiences such confusion that it does not go into the litter box much, but, as a rule, pees. True, at first he does this in the wrong places due to the fact that he has not yet remembered where the tray is. If you want to properly train your kitten to use the litter box, check out this article. And if there are problems with stool, read in a separate article why the kitten does not poop and how to fix it.

Kitten hiding in new home

Sometimes a kitten's stress during a move is so great that it finds some secluded place and hides all the time. What should the owner do in such a situation? How to adapt a kitten to a new home?

There is no need to forcefully pull it out - this will only make the situation worse. Let him sit and don’t pay attention to the kitten. Let him come out on his own. As a rule, kittens adopted from a breeder stop hiding within 24 hours. In any case, they come out when a bowl of food or water is placed near them.

But animals from a shelter and those taken from the street may have a longer adaptation period. These can hide, for example, behind a sofa or in the bathroom for several days. Then it is important to make sure that there is food and water near them. If time drags on and the animal still does not come out, try a pheromone-based drug to eliminate stress.

The kitten hisses and bites

Rarely does a situation arise when a kitten is brought to a new home, and he is so afraid that he rushes at everyone and hisses. Hissing is a normal defensive reaction that should subside over time. In this case, the kitten may walk on end. But the fact that the kitten bites and rushes makes you wary. If he does this when you approach him yourself, then this indicates great fear and aggression caused by fear. But, if he attacks himself and does it not in a playful way, but in all seriousness, this is already a deviation that needs diagnosis and correction by an animal psychologist.

The kitten is sick

When stressed, the animal's immunity sharply decreases. This often causes it to develop viral, bacterial and other infections. If in the first days or weeks of a kitten’s stay in a new family, it suddenly begins to develop a runny nose, conjunctivitis, diarrhea and other troubles, there is nothing surprising in this. He could have become infected from pets already in your home, who themselves had long ago defeated the infection, but remained its carriers. He himself could be a hidden carrier of viruses and bacteria. He could have picked up an infection along the way. You could bring the infection from the street on your clothes. There are plenty of options.

If the kitten is sick, you need to contact a veterinarian who will prescribe treatment. After all, the infection can be serious. But even if not, the body still needs help to recover in conditions of weakened immunity.

Features of training

The kitten does not want to sleep in its place - this is a complaint with which many owners turn to experienced breeders or veterinarians. The problem can occur for 3 reasons :

• wrong location for the house;
• kitten attention deficit;
• incorrect accustoming to the place.

If the first 2 reasons are easy to eliminate, then problems arise with the last one. Few owners know all the intricacies of training a pet to a place. As a result, once in a new home, the baby simply cannot understand what they want from him .

As soon as the kitten is brought home, he needs to be shown where the bed is. In order for the pet to be interested in it, it needs to be laid on it and stroked. It would be a good idea to treat the bed with a special compound that attracts cats, which is sold in pet stores. It can be replaced with catnip (catnip) or valerian. The herbs need to be infused in boiling water and a little sprinkled on the bottom of the bed with the resulting mixture. You can wipe the bottom with an alcoholic tincture of valerian.

This treatment allows you to attract the baby and not worry about the kitten looking for its new place to sleep all night. The food and tray should be close to the sleeping area so that it is convenient for the pet to reach them.

Teaching a kitten to sleep in a sleeping place is quite difficult. Unlike dogs, cats are freedom-loving and consider the entire apartment to be theirs, but with enough patience you can achieve good results. You cannot beat or punish a kitten for sleeping in the wrong place. It is also unacceptable to lock a four-legged friend in a house where he should sleep. This will only scare your pet and make him nervous. In such a situation, the opportunity to accustom him to a place will be completely lost.

Kitten in the house: step-by-step instructions for beginners

1. Adaptation of the baby. If you have decided to bring a purring, fluffy miracle into your home, then you are ready for the fact that your baby will need your support and help at first. Moving to a new home is a lot of stress for a kitten; it is better to use a carrier for this purpose - put bedding or a toy in it with a smell familiar to the kitten. It is not recommended to carry a baby in your arms or in your bosom; he may get scared and suddenly break free. It is not recommended to touch the baby at first in a new place; let him sit in the carrier, pet him, talk kindly, and then try to let him out. At first the kitten will hide, but gradually it will become bolder and get acquainted with its new surroundings. There should be food, drinking water, and a toilet within reach. Adaptation lasts several days, so it is advisable that you be at home during this time and pay more attention to your pet.

2. Animals and children. If you have other pets, they should become accustomed to the presence of a new resident. It is better for the kitten to allocate a separate room during this time and limit contact for several days. You can periodically allow pets into the room, but keep the baby in your arms. In a few days they will get used to each other, but let both pets understand that they are loved and give them equal attention. Birds, hamsters and other small animals should be kept out of the kitten’s reach, because even a small cat is a predator with all its inherent instincts and needs.

To make the kitten get used to you, give him more attention, pet him, talk to him. They remember a cat's name very quickly, so there shouldn't be any problems. At first, do not let small children cuddle or carry the kitten in your arms a lot - they may frighten it or accidentally cause harm. Remember that you have taken responsibility for the fate of a living creature, this is not just a fluffy toy, relationships with a cat are built on independence and mutual respect.

3. It is possible and it is not possible. Kittens should not be scared; they are not shouted at or hit. Yes, at first almost all animals have problems with toileting or getting accustomed to a scratching post, but this is not a reason to scold your pet, otherwise he will stop trusting you and will be afraid. You need to get used to the cat litter gradually: it’s good if you take some litter from the owners, the smell of which the kitten is accustomed to - this will make it easier for him to understand what they want from him. The pot should always be washed and the filler changed, because these animals are very clean. The pot should be in a secluded place, away from drafts. If a kitten went to the toilet, and then at one point pooped in another place, this may not be just a prank - this is how cats try to attract attention to themselves. The same situation with the scratching post: be patient. If you see that the kitten is scratching its claws in the wrong place, pick it up and take it to the scratching post. Press on the pads so that he releases his claws and make several movements that imitate the movement of his paws. A few repetitions - and your kitten will understand why this thing was placed in your apartment.

After acclimatization, the kitten is given helminth prophylaxis and is also given an anti-flea collar. Even if a pet is domestic, it may well pick up fleas or ticks, because we can bring them from the street on shoes and clothes. Cats are washed 2 times a year, or even less often, or if the kitten is very dirty. Use only special shampoos, “human” products wash away the protective layer from the fur, the cat begins to shed, its coat becomes dull and begins to split.

4. What to buy for a kitten? First of all, bowls for water and food, the best option is stainless or ceramic. The plastic may be too light - the bowl will “ride” on the floor, and it is not known what such a product is made of. A good option is bowls on a stand; the dishes should have an average depth according to the kitten’s height. For fluffy cats, you also need a comb or slicker brush; for smooth-haired pets, a rubber brush is enough. A slicker is used when tangles form. A nail clipper will also be a necessary purchase; you need to trim the claws carefully so as not to hurt the blood vessels. Also buy a litter tray, cat litter, and a cleaning scoop. Eye and ear cleaners are also needed.

Cats are very playful, so it would be good to have good toys and chewers. Some owners organize a whole “cat corner” with houses, climbing boards, hanging toys, and so on.

You also need a scratching post - in principle, you can make it yourself by covering the board with thick fabric or burlap, or wrapping a post with thick sisal rope and securing it vertically. In case your cat needs to be transported or taken to the veterinarian, it is worth purchasing a carrier.

5. Treatment of the cat. Even experienced owners try not to treat their pets on their own, so beginners should not do this. The opinion that cats are perfectly suited to human medications is erroneous; medications should be prescribed by a veterinarian. If you notice that your cat has become lethargic, her fur is dull, she refuses to eat, her eyes become cloudy - this is a reason to go to the veterinary clinic. If your pet has received some kind of injury, it is better not to transport it, but to call a doctor at home.

6. Pet's diet. As a rule, breeders do not give away kittens before three months of age; the cat feeds them milk for up to 12 weeks; such a diet builds the kitten’s immunity; artificial food cannot be a full-fledged replacement. It is worth taking care of the diet in advance: feed the babies little by little, but several times a day, make sure that the pets do not “bury” food for a rainy day. You can give your kitten chicken, low-fat offal, liver, minced meat, beef, and a couple of eggs a week. You can give whole and crushed porridge, soaked black bread, milk, kefir, yogurt, cottage cheese, low-fat sour cream, cheese, and drinking water. Vitamin and mineral supplements can be given as prescribed by a veterinarian.

You cannot feed your pet natural food and feed at the same time. If you choose ready-made food, give preference to brands that offer food for kittens - babies have different nutritional needs than adult cats. The food should not only be dry; it is worth giving both semi-liquid food and special canned food. Do not give your pet scraps from your table, smoked, spiced, salted food, etc. - you will disrupt your baby’s metabolism.

It is also a mistaken opinion that cats should only eat fish; under natural conditions, animals practically do not eat it. Frequent feeding of fish can cause the development of urolithiasis (especially for sprat, capelin, herring, gobies, pollock, and so on). It’s better to offer your pet good sea fish once a week. You should not give canned food, fatty pork, raw meat, sweets, corn grits, rolled oats, or peas. Sweets, smoked foods, and products with preservatives are strictly contraindicated. Also, the cheapest dry food is not the best choice - they do not contain too many nutrients, but the cat will develop significant diseases. If you don’t want to give up food, choose professional mixtures like Royal Canin, Yams, Hills and others. The cat doesn’t care what to eat – beautiful bones and stars or just pieces of meat, the main thing is that it’s tasty. Cheap food contains a lot of flavor enhancers and preservatives, often after which cats refuse any other food, demanding their portion of the “drug”.

7. Puberty. As a rule, puberty in cats and female cats occurs at 7-9 months. If your plans do not include breeding offspring, the question of sterilization or castration arises. Cats often only have their fallopian tubes tied to prevent the animal from becoming pregnant; surgery to remove the uterus is more complicated and affects the pet’s health. Castration is the removal of the testes, a fairly quick procedure. If the cat has not had a relationship with a cat before, it will not affect the pet’s well-being in any way. If acts have already taken place, the pet will still ask to be with the cat, but will not be able to have offspring.

Many owners try to calm their pets by giving them hormonal pills. In fact, treating sexual desire with such heavy doses of hormones is the same as offering an ax for a headache. For cats, such events are completely useless, and in cats they cause a whole bunch of diseases, so it’s better to have pity on your pet.

Finally, it’s worth remembering that a kitten is a big responsibility; you can’t skimp on it or turn away because you’re not in the mood. The baby needs good nutrition, your care and attention, then there will be no special troubles with the animal, and in your family, which will become larger, kindness, love and joy will always reign!

Why does a cat need its place in the house?

Cats are freedom-loving and unpredictable animals. Sometimes they like to lie in the arms of their owner or look around the room, climbing to the highest point in the room. Sometimes it’s not easy to find them: they crawl into a closet, a new box and sleep quietly. To ensure that the animal does not look for a place where it can retire, its own house or soft bed is designed. Here the pet can relax and sleep sweetly. If he is unwell, the owner will easily notice this, because the animal will not hide in the corners, but will come to his “closet”.

Can a cat sleep with its owner?

The cat can sleep with its owner. This is completely acceptable. Having a pet can benefit your health. Cats are a natural source of warmth, reduce stress and provide a sense of security. Studies have shown that people sleep better and more peacefully when they have a cat in bed with them. Monitor your cat's health if you regularly take her into your bed.

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What is better - a house or a bed?

A house and a bed are an alternative to an armchair or a family bed, on which mustachioed pets really like to rest. What is better for a cat? To answer this question, it is worth getting acquainted with the design features:

• Bed. A soft, round or oval-shaped pillow made of hypoallergenic and tactile-pleasant materials. The internal filler is padding polyester or its modern analogues. It is much more comfortable for your pet to rest on a bed at night than on a hard windowsill or floor.
• House. Unlike an open-type bed, the house has a dome made of the same materials as the pillow. The lower and upper parts are connected by a side, forming a mink. A hole is provided so that the animal can get to itself. In the house the cat feels like in a box. She is warm, comfortable and safe.

When choosing a recreation area for a pet, the owner should focus on the character of the animal and the free space in the interior. If the cat is sociable, curious and loves to be the center of attention, the best choice is an open bed. A personal corner will allow the mustachioed friend to relax and communicate freely with the owner.

Where to place the cat corner?

The decision on where to set up a cat corner should be made taking into account the spatial capabilities of the apartment. Sometimes you want to buy your pet a strong, covered home. However, it requires quite a lot of space. It is ideal to place the house in the corner of the room or on the balcony. The corner should be dry, warm, not walkable. Mold and drafts should be avoided.

If there is nowhere to place a covered house, a bed will help out, for which there is always a corner in the house. The bed can be placed on a wide and wind-free windowsill, chest of drawers, desktop, on the floor or rug near the radiator. To protect your pet from excessive attention from children, you should place the bed in a hard-to-reach place (for example, on a high shelf in a closet). The hallway, passage area, middle of the room is not the best option.

When choosing a place for a house and a lounger, you should take into account the cat's habits. You need to observe where she likes to sleep at night and place the bed in exactly that place. The main thing is that the animal has an overview and the ability to control everything that happens in the house.

Where else can you leave your cat while on vacation?

It’s up to you to decide where to leave your cat while you’re leaving – at home or somewhere else. If you leave her at home for several days, then you definitely need to provide for a visit from another person. However, this is only if we are talking about a period of up to 5 days. For a longer period of time, it is advisable to place the animal somewhere. Yes, this is double stress, since the cat will suddenly lose both its owner and its usual environment. But this is a sacrifice that must be made in the name of safety and regular feeding.

With friends and acquaintances

You can leave your cat for 4 days or longer with friends or relatives you trust. Give verbal and written instructions on how to care for the animal. Pay special attention to the issue of nutrition: leave a supply of food along with the instructions.

If the people you know where you are going to leave the cat have another animal, you need to first introduce it to yours and see how they react to each other. Of course, don’t expect anything good at first, but the main thing is that there is no aggression after the cat has been visiting for several hours. Otherwise, the animals will have to be separated into different rooms.

Babysitting services

Another option to leave your cat alone at home for a week is to hire a pet sitter. This is the same as having a relative or friend come to you to care for an animal, only the service will be provided by a professional who is not familiar with the animal.

Such people can be hired through advertisements, but we would not recommend this option. A stranger entering the house can do bad things. Instead of looking for a nanny based on an advertisement, you can use the services of an agency (the people there are trained and supervised), but such services are not available in every city.

Apartment foster care

Some people provide boarding services for animals in their apartment. That is, before leaving you hand over the animal, and upon arrival you pick it up. All this time he is staying in a stranger’s apartment.

People providing such services can be found through advertisements. However, keep in mind that they provide a service not only to you: at any moment they can rent another animal to the apartment. As a rule, such people do not conduct veterinary checks on new pupils before admitting them. At most, they will ask for a certificate from a veterinarian. Therefore, if an animal with an infection in the incubation period is given before you or at the same time, your pet may also suffer.

Hotel for animals

Where can I leave a cat, other than my own home or a relative’s house? You can leave your cat during your vacation in a special hotel for animals. It is a building with separate rooms in which there are enclosures for cats and dogs.

In most pet hotels, the conditions leave much to be desired: the enclosures are small, the cats see their neighbors, little attention is paid to the guests

However, not all hotels are equally good. A normal cat hotel should offer the following conditions:

• clean rooms with spacious enclosures;
• regular disinfection;
• feeding at least twice a day with the type of food you order;
• when a guest is accepted into a hotel, an agreement is signed with the owner;
• Only healthy animals are accepted into the hotel after examination by a veterinarian;
• Possibility of communication between the owner and the pet via Skype.

Of course, a hotel is not the best option, even if it is good. After all, here the animal will sit in an enclosure and will be able to see other animals, which does not have a positive effect on the psyche. And communication with people is kept to a minimum. But, on the other hand, this is a good option for those who have absolutely no choice. In addition, if you doubt the ability of your friends and relatives to ensure the safety of your pet, it is better to leave it in the hands of professionals.

What after your arrival

Be prepared for the fact that your pet may behave differently after your arrival. Some cats are not offended by their owners and welcome them with open arms, showing them their happiness in every possible way. Others begin to educate the owner: take revenge with the help of various dirty tricks, pretend to be offended, punish by ignoring. If you behave correctly in such a situation (don’t scold the cat and be patient), the pet will thaw out in a few days.

Or take it with you?

In some cases, it is better to take the animal with you. This applies to trips longer than 2 weeks. The cat will be stressed for the first week, but then we will get used to the new place. The main thing is that your beloved owner is nearby.

For many cats, traveling with their owner is the only right decision.

If we are talking about a short trip, for example, on vacation, then you can also take the animal with you. But in this case, you need to weigh the stress of being alone at home or with strangers and the stress of the trip. If your pet is an introvert and is afraid of the street and crowded places, then perhaps the first option is better. If he is very attached to his owners, is not afraid of walks and loves communication more than anything else, think about the option of taking the cat with you. Yes, this is fraught with certain difficulties. But the brave cat will get new impressions on the trip and will be side by side with his beloved owner, whom he perceives as a protector. After all, he won't think he's been abandoned.

If you plan to travel with a cat, then you need to adapt it to travel in advance. For example, breeders who take their pupils to shows begin to do this from an early age: in adulthood, it is no longer so easy to accustom a cat to voyages. Therefore, from a small age, the cat must get used to being outside the home, to strangers on the street, to unfamiliar places and smells. To do this, regularly go for walks with him: first, only in your arms or in a carrier, then on a harness, but never let the cat go free-range.

How to accustom your pet to its place?

Buying a house or bedding for a cat is half the battle. It can be much more difficult to accustom a kitten or an adult animal to it. First of all, care should be taken that the personal space of a mustachioed friend meets such criteria as stable construction, comfort, convenience, and free access. In this case, the animal will get used to it much easier.

It happens that a cat, having quickly examined a new house, immediately chooses it as its main place. However, this does not always happen, and to tame a pet you must resort to ingenuity. Among the basic techniques:

• accustoming to a new corner;
• the location of the house where the mustachioed friend likes to relax;
• soft coercion.

Features of training a kitten

It is important to ensure that the pet's bed is ready on the first day of its stay in the new home. It should be convenient for the animal to enter and rest comfortably. During the cold season, additional heating may be needed. The baby will explore the territory for a long time, and it is important to observe his actions. If he likes a certain corner for relaxation, you should move the bed to it.

How to start communicating with your baby?

As soon as a kitten appears in the house, we must not forget that he is scared. Just yesterday he was taken from his cat family. For the baby, the environment to which he is already accustomed has changed, so he will hide and cry.

This condition of the kitten usually lasts a couple of days. In order for a kitten to have a successful first day in a new home, you need to prepare accordingly. You cannot speak to him in a raised tone. Little by little you need to get used to holding hands, stroking them after the baby has eaten, then he is relaxed and in the mood for contact. If you pick up a fluffy in your arms against his will, he may become even more afraid. We need to wait, and soon he himself will decide to climb onto his owner’s lap.

© shutterstock

It is ideal to start interacting with your kitten long before it arrives at its new home. In this way, you can determine the most nimble and open cat from the litter. First of all, you need to pay attention to the largest kittens, those who get to the mother's nipples faster than others. Such simple moments mean that agile babies get much more of the cat's milk, from which we can conclude that such kittens will be more resilient and stronger than their other brothers and sisters.

If you visit the nursery in advance, you can, if possible, communicate with the parents of the future pet and see what it will be like when it becomes an adult. And their owner will clarify the features and nuances of the breed.

During the adaptation period, a kitten can easily become frightened by loud noises; all people living in the house, in particular children, should be warned about this. The main rule looks like this: the conversation with the baby should be calm and quiet, and touching him should be gentle and leisurely. The owner's hands must be a source of peace and fun for the furry friend, in which case the kitten will get used to it much faster and begin to respond in return. As you can see, in order for a kitten to successfully adapt on the first day, he needs help.

Common mistakes: what not to do?

It is important for the owner to remember that the animal should never be taken out of the house during daytime rest and night sleep. Young children should be prohibited from doing this, since such an act can forever push the cat away from his favorite place. You need to call and wait until the animal leaves the house on its own.

If the kitten cries and wants to leave the litter and lie down with the owner, you should bring him back, stay with him and wait until he falls asleep. It is impossible to teach a baby to sleep in the master’s bed, because it is difficult to wean him from this habit in adulthood. With patience and love, you can accustom your mustachioed pet to its own corner without unnecessary stress.

Rules to help train a kitten to a place to sleep

Cats sleep between 15 and 20 hours a day and need a comfortable, safe place to sleep during this time. If your kitten sleeps everywhere, but not in his own bed, then it is impossible to force him. After all, cats have their own ideas about comfort, often different from ours.

Are you wondering how to train a kitten to sleep? Every cat is unique, so there are no universal rules. However, there are several practical recommendations that can help solve the problem.

Kittens staying home full time

Kittens and cats have a reputation for being able to spend long hours alone without any problems. It is true that they can endure long periods of loneliness, but this does not mean that it is easy for them, much less ideal. This is especially true for active and people-oriented cats such as Siamese and Abyssinians.

In reality, kittens want and need companionship. Another truth is that you have to work to bring home canned food for them. How can this problem be resolved?

The best solution for anyone interested is to consider adopting or buying two kittens at the same time. They will entertain each other while you are away, thereby making their lives stress-free. If you adopt two kittens from the same litter, this will ensure that they will have an especially easy time communicating with each other.

If you are currently unable to adopt two kittens, don't be disheartened. There is a lot you can do to keep your only four-legged companion happy.

Accustoming a kitten to the company of people

The more different people your kitten sees, the more accustomed he will become to people. Invite people who love cats over and provide them with treats and your kitty's favorite toys. Soon your kitten will be shaking impatiently at the sound of the doorbell and running to the door to see who it is that has come to visit him!

Of course, you should always do this in a way that allows your cat to set the pace, and show the utmost respect for any doubts or fears she may have. Encourage her, seduce her, but never force her, scare her or hurt her!

Food

Kittens who spend many hours alone need regular access to food and water. We recommend leaving dry food for them to snack on throughout the day, or using an automatic feeder that delivers food at regular intervals. This feeder can be purchased at many pet stores.

Entertainment

Everyone can experience boredom, and your cat is no exception. Set up a seat for her near a window that overlooks a busy street. Leave the TV or radio on, tuned to classical music or conversation, and adjust the volume to a low volume. Rotate your kitten's toys so that he gets a different one every few days.

Exercises

Exercise is one of the best stress relievers known. Kittens that are left alone for the entire workday are usually stressed to some degree. Therefore, make sure that the kitten engages in intense play exercises at least once a day. This will help him relax and cope better with periods of loneliness. The ideal option is two classes a day, ten to fifteen minutes each, one in the morning and the other in the evening. The more aerobic elements these games have, the better. Whether your kitten is chasing a ball, jumping up after a toy, or lunging at a toy you drag across the floor, it's a wonderful game that's almost as fun to watch as it is to play it yourself.

The best time

If you have the only kitten, especially if it is still small, then when returning home on weekdays, try not to immediately leave the house again. This is very difficult for an animal that has essentially been waiting for you all day. Without going to extremes when following this rule, try, however, to lead a social life only on weekends or invite friends to your home.

A wonderful way to spend time is to take care of your kitten's skin. He will look forward to these few minutes that you spend together, and so will you.

Partially used information from the book: B. Kilcommons, S. Wilson “All about your cat”

Links on the topic "Kittens"

• Kittens
• Be ready!
• Ode to Conclusion
• First day
• First night
• Meeting other animals

• Toilet training
• Preventing bad habits
• Tried and Reliable Toys
• Feeding a kitten
• Kitten care

Why does the kitten stubbornly refuse to sleep in its bed?

Cats are independent animals and often change their resting spots and explore new areas where they can sleep peacefully. Before you set a goal on how to accustom a kitten to a place to sleep, find out the reason for its refusal.

If he does not want to sleep in his own bed, this does not mean that he does not like it or that the pet is capricious. However, other available surfaces may have what cats are looking for when they choose a place to sleep: warmth, comfort and security.

This is why many cats prefer to sleep on sofas, tables, on clothes or on your bed. They instinctively feel more protected when they sleep in high places where they are protected from "predators".

If your kitten only wants to sleep in your bed, this may indicate deeper reasons:

• the baby feels safe with you, so he seeks your protection before bed;
• he considers you part of his pack;
• the kitten prefers the height of your bed because it gives him an advantage over possible threats;
• Your furry pet misses you, especially if you spend a lot of time away from home, so he takes advantage of this time to be close.

Many owners prefer that their pet does not sleep on pillows, much less with them, due to allergies, inconvenience, hygienic reasons, or simply because the small predator is active at night and does not allow sleep.

Kitten nutrition

How to care for a kitten
It is better to feed the baby on time, with even intervals between meals:

• up to 2 months – 5 times;
• by the age of six months, the frequency of feedings gradually decreases to 3 times, and the portion gradually increases;
• An eight-month-old animal is fed like an adult - twice a day.

Your pet's diet must include:

• raw beef;
• boiled chicken meat;
• milk porridge;
• egg yolk;
• raw and boiled vegetables;
• fermented milk products.

You cannot feed food from the human table: salt and spices are harmful to the cat’s body.

Be sure to read:

Reasons and ways to suppress a cat’s aggression and calm the animal down if it gets angry, meows, cries before bedtime

Veterinarians recommend purchasing balanced cat food for kittens, taking into account age. Specialized mixtures contain all the necessary elements necessary for the growth of a pet.

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Sources:

https://koshkamurka.ru/4965-priuchenie-kotyonka-k-mestu-dlya-sna.html https://murkoshka.ru/povedenie/kak-priuchit-koshku-k-domiku.html https://www. poznavayka.org/zoologiya/train-kitten-to-place-for-sleep/