How to adopt a kitten from a shelter?

Health is the most important

Kittens that came into the house from the shelter, the first time is not easy. They can show aggression, sometimes they have health problems.

Despite the fact that all basic vaccinations are given to animals in shelters, it will not be superfluous to check the health of the baby by external signs. It is best if the examination is carried out by a specialist in a veterinary clinic, but a potential owner can also conduct an initial examination.

First of all, you should pay attention to the sense organs. The kitten’s ears should be clean, the eyes should not be watery, and the nose should be moderately moist. A healthy kitten behaves actively, he is moderately well-fed. He does not show aggression at the sight of a person and does not hide in the corner of the cage. Healthy kittens are friendly, willingly get acquainted with future owners.

New home

Adaptation is another stage that both the kitten and its owners will have to go through. Just like for humans, a change of residence for a pet is stressful. It will take him some time to get to know his new home.

A few days will pass, and the kitten will have favorite places, he will get to know other family members, examines all the rooms.

In addition to the unusual environment, he will have to get used to the new food and toilet. At the shelter, sawdust is poured into the kittens, so the tray can cause rejection. If the pet nevertheless decides to use it, it should be encouraged. Such gestures on the part of the owner make the relationship with the kitten more trusting. In addition, the first days you should feed the kitten with the food that he is used to in the shelter, gradually accustoming him to a new diet.

The adaptation period, as a rule, coincides with the moment when the baby begins to mark the territory. You can’t scold the kitten – after a while, getting used to the new environment, the baby will stop doing it. The desire to designate their place in the house of kittens is expressed in this way.

At this time, it is best to remove valuables away, block the places where the kitten leaves marks. It is worth experimenting with cat litters: perhaps the pet will like the smell of one of them, and he will willingly go to the tray. Be sure to reward the kitten for this behavior with a treat.

If you follow these recommendations, the adaptation of the kitten in the house will pass very quickly – it will take no more than three months.

7 2017 June

Updated: February 8, 2021

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