Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Pets

What to do before leaving your new kitten at home alone

Kitty-proof your home. - by Laura Barry
  • 29 Aug 2018

Adding a new furry member to the family is always an exciting experience, especially when that little fur ball happens to be a kitten that’s only a few weeks old. But when a kitten is separated from its mum and brought to a new home filled with strangers, the adjustment can be overwhelming. All kittens have to be left at home alone at some point, so here’s some tips and tricks that will ensure both your home and kitten stay safe and sound when unsupervised.

Find a safe space

When leaving your new kitten at home alone, the best thing you can do is close it into a safe space, such as  a laundry, mudroom or spare room, that is free from hazards. Thing you should check for include glass objects, cleaning products, poisonous plants and small things a kitten could chew and choke on.

Once you have a risk-free space, bring in a warm bed, litter tray, scratching post, food and fresh water.

Tire them out

If you know exactly when you need to leave the house, spend some time playing with your kitten to tire them out before you go. That way your kitten will be more inclined to take a nap when you leave, and it will reduce their anxiety levels.

kitten sitting with toilet paper
Getty

Leave out some toys

Give your kitten a selection of toys to investigate and play with while you are away. A fluffy ball, a ball with a bell in it, a mouse toy or even a chemical-free cardboard box with no staples or other foreign objects in it will do the trick. This will keep your kitten entertained and their attention focused on the right things, rather than clawing the flooring.

Make some noise

To make your kitten feel less lonely, leave the radio or television on a quiet channel with calming sounds, and keep the volume on low. You want just enough noise so your kitten doesn’t feel alone, but not so much that the neighbours can hear it, or the cat can’t escape it.

kitten sitting on windowsill looking out window
Getty

For extra peace of mind

If you’re really worried about leaving your kitten at home alone, consider investing in a wireless camera with a live feed that can be accessed from your smart phone throughout the day. Some cameras even let the owners talk through a built-in speaker so they can speak to their pets throughout the day.

You might also like:

One third of animal owners prefer their pet to their partner

These are the best dog breeds for families with kids

How to spot anxiety in your cat

  • Pets
  • Better Life
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

RSPCA’s Clear the Shelter drive drops adoptions to $29 this weekend

RSPCA’s Clear the Shelter drive drops adoptions to $29 this weekend

The 10 Best Cat Breeds for Allergy Sufferers

The 10 Best Cat Breeds for Allergy Sufferers

8 stylish cat trees your feline will love

8 stylish cat trees your feline will love

How to pick the perfect cat for you

How to pick the perfect cat for you

{headline}

{headline}

How kids can cuddle rescue cats these holidays

How kids can cuddle rescue cats these holidays

Doggy dementia is now a very real thing

Doggy dementia is now a very real thing

The common household item that’s poisoning your cat

The common household item that’s poisoning your cat

{headline}

{headline}

How to tell if your pet has a dental issue

How to tell if your pet has a dental issue

Study finds cats recognise their names, but ignore you anyway

Study finds cats recognise their names, but ignore you anyway

Cats get their personality from their owners

Cats get their personality from their owners

How you can save a life on National Pet Adoption Day

How you can save a life on National Pet Adoption Day

How to stop your cat from scratching the furniture

How to stop your cat from scratching the furniture

How to take care of pets during fireworks

How to take care of pets during fireworks

How you can help abandoned cats this Christmas

How you can help abandoned cats this Christmas

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription