Raising your first kitten

Bringing your first kitten home is exciting and you are about to open up a whole new world with your precious new pet. I will never forget the day I brought my first kitten home.

As a child, I never grew up surrounded by cats, as my father was super allergic and even a small amount of fur swelled his eyes and throat. So I never considered having a cat.

One beautiful day in May, I was doing some shopping and saw a sign about a nearby local pet store that was closing and of course they were doing a big sale to try and sell everything before closing their doors. Little did I know that after crossing that door I would fall in love with one of the most beautiful creatures that I could and would receive in my home. In Bengal! It was love at first sight! He had such beautiful stripes and that gorgeous face melted my heart. After hearing the cost for the first time, I was shocked and had to really think about it. After a few minutes of browsing the store after telling the store owner that I had to think about it, he (the store owner) came up to me and made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse.

So I bought everything I needed from the store. Litter box, some cat toys, some dishes for her food and of course that precious bundle of fur in a box ready to go home. Tigger (as they called him that because of his stripes) was so scared !! I felt so bad and just wanted to comfort and hug him! But he wasn’t going to have that. I’m pretty sure he was traumatized in some way.

Bringing it straight out the door and then introducing it to the house was a new fight all by itself! Nothing like bringing a puppy home, which was the only thing he really knew (besides cows and horses).

Tigger was slippery and very cautious in his new surroundings as he had to get used to the smell of a German Shepherd that was one year old and very boisterous. As she ran downstairs to the basement (where I strategically placed her litter box and installed a cat door) she found her safety in the corner behind the washing machine. I also added a small blanket that my dog ​​slept with to get him used to its scent.

I didn’t want to leave the basement for almost a month! Even trying to convince with treats and toys, I couldn’t get very close. It took time and patience and I made sure to respect his space. Finally one day he crawled upstairs and out into the living room. She gave me a little purr and snuggled into my lap. I was impressed! He had finally felt warmer to me and had trusted me after all that time.

A year later they offered me another kitten which of course I welcomed with open arms and the process was much easier with him. Now I have two very happy cats who absolutely love their mom. Even though it took time to learn and understand them, I would never go back and change a thing. However, my advice is that if you are a first time kitten owner, take the time to make sure that the kitten you want to bring home is not so scared of it and if you have one, take some time with him or her and Show them love and respect so they learn to trust you.

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