Top Ten Kitten Rearing Tips from Ginger

1. When your kitten arrives home for the first time, know that going to a new home is very scary for us. For the first day or two, keep us in one quiet room where we can get used to the smells and sounds of our new home. Place a water bowl and litter box in an easy-to-access area. 
2. Your #1 job is to give us lots of love and reassurance so we learn that we are safe and truly in a home that we want “forever.” Remember that, to us, you guys are giants. Please, be gentle and talk to us in a soft, calm voice. 
3. Check for kitty hazards in your home. We cats are natural escape artists and so will instinctually crawl into any hole or crevice, like a drawer, washer machine, or vent in the wall. Be alert for dangers. For instance, kittens have been injured or killed when they’ve hidden inside reclining chairs and washer machines that accidentally get closed.
4. Help us learn our names. During the first week, begin calling our name and having food ready when we finally come to you.
5. It’s best to work up to holding your kitten. During training, never restrain a cat if she’s squirming to get away. Instead, let us climb onto you. If we climb onto your shoulder, take us for a fun ride across the room. As always, reward us with food or treats afterward. Gradually work up to picking us up. Over time, begin touching our ears and other body parts. Handling will help with future veterinary exams.
6. Food is the way to any cat’s heart. If you would like us to sit with you, grab a couple treats before you sit. The more we associate food with you, the more we will love you!
7. When you give us a meal, gently pet our shoulders and say our name while we are eating. Association = love.
8. If you think your kitten is misbehaving, there’s no reason to yell, and NEVER a reason to hit. The fact is, we didn’t even know we were doing anything wrong! Punishment will backfire by making us afraid of you. A simple “No no” will help us (over time) understand what we should not do. When we do something you don’t like, if possible, show us the correct thing to do. For example, if we are scratching the furniture, say ‘no no’ and carry us to the scratching post. Demonstrate how to scratch. When we begin scratching the post, PRAISE us. We love that : )
9. A general rule of thumb: Reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior.
10. Kittens have two speeds: Crazy wild and sound asleep. We may need to rest after ten minutes of playing. We require lots of sleep to help us grow. But don’t worry; we’ll be ready for more play before long!

MOST IMPORTANTLY, gentle human, always remember, your new furbaby WANTS to please you. It’s your job to teach us how by using simple, consistent messages. Be patient, understanding, and kind.

Now, go be a cat guardian who’ll make me proud.

All My Love, Ginger