What to do before leaving your new kitten at home alone
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.
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.
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.
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