Dear Critter Corner: My husband has finally gotten on board with adopting a kitten from our local rescue! The adoption coordinator has let us know that they have a couple of nine-week-old kittens who were found in our neighborhood and will be ready for adoption in the next few weeks. They mentioned that these kittens are shy and skittish at times but have warmed up quickly to their foster caretaker. Do you have any tips or tricks to help the kitten settle into our home?
Kitten season is right around the corner and during this time you are likely to see an influx of kittens at your local shelters and rescues! I would suggest preparing a room for her to decompress with a litter box, water, a couple of places that she can hide (both high and low places), and toys. I recommend asking the foster caretaker about each kitten and getting more information about their personalities before deciding which one you would like to adopt.
Once your new kitten is acclimated to their new home, it is important to begin working on socialization! Socialization can be as simple as exposing them to any new sights and sounds they will most likely be exposed to in the household. This could be as simple as bringing something which could be perceived as scary, like an unplugged vacuum cleaner, and allowing them to check it out while rewarding them with tasty treats. This in turn will help them create a positive association with seeing the vacuum cleaner.
When having a cuddle session, you can help prepare them for future vet visits by checking their ears and teeth, and working on basic handling. I would suggest setting aside a couple of minutes every day to work on basic handling and offering high-value treats after the short sessions. This will not only help boost the confidence of your kitty but also help make them more comfortable and relaxed when receiving a vet exam in the future.