Making home safe for new kitten

wort

Hi all, hoping to get some advice please, we had a cat from kitten but she died aged 17 years old about 6 years ago. We are now getting a new kitten from cats protection in October, as I was thinking of everything I need to buy I was also looking how safe my rooms are from a kitten perspective!

My main concern is in my living room, all the furniture is on legs, so although electrical wires are hidden from view when the kitten goes under the tv cabinet for instance he would be able to bite and play with them . I'm sure you all know what the wires from tv etc. Are like !!
So does anyone have any advice please on how to make it safe.

I remember not to let them out for a while to get them used to their surroundings, but will it be necessary to keep him just in 1 or 2 rooms ?
Also any thing else you think I may be needing to consider.
Thank you in anticipation x

UKTigerlily

Hi! I just got two kittens 2 weeks ago & they are terrors . . are you getting a pair too? (If not, be warned they are very active & i'm so glad mine annoy each other lol)

I haven't found wires to be an issue, I was really worried about the red hot pipes though but so far no problem. Mine play with their toys or each other more, but one does like the phone line & tries to bite it, but I don't think she'd be able to get through it

I'll maybe get a water pistol but then if i'm out they won't learn it happens all the time so i'm not sure! They do get everywhere, you can bet no matter what they have of 'theirs' they will want 'yours'

Mine seem to try to get their heads up the back of the radiators, get on the kitchen counters & chew a box file to death! The hardest thing for me is not treading on them, as they do get everywhere but are so tiny it's hard.

We would need photos to validate the thread though, when you get them/him/her . . or now as I guess you have one picked?! The other thing is making sure they don't get out, mine haven't tried but do use the hall so when i'm out the inner door is closed as they are fast & have months inside yet

Good luck!

wort

Hi tiger lily it's a boy ! No name yet, tabby and white. Was tempted to get his sister, but not sure my house is big enough!, lol . My niece has brother and sister cats and they fight and don't like to be in same room together!!!
Yes it's the wires when I'm out that I'm worried about.
I can't wait to bring him home but they need to weigh a kilo so he can be neutered ,chipped and vaccinated.

UKTigerlily

wort wrote: »

Hi tiger lily it's a boy ! No name yet, tabby and white. Was tempted to get his sister, but not sure my house is big enough!, lol . My niece has brother and sister cats and they fight and don't like to be in same room together!!!
Yes it's the wires when I'm out that I'm worried about.
I can't wait to bring him home but they need to weigh a kilo so he can be neutered ,chipped and vaccinated.

So exciting, I have one of each & other than feeding time they are ok so far! My last cat who made 18 came with her brother too, though he died just before they were 2.5 & they were ok. I have a small place but figure so long as they have two+ of all they need & will go out, it'll be fine

(You KNOW you want both!)

Mine like to play with my trainers & untie them, it takes them hours & they have one each! One is doing it right now while the other watches. I have to unplug the landline as the girl really likes that one in particular, and sometimes they try to chew the fan cable so I take it up if out, but they lose concentration so fast that I think they see something else

I spray catnip spray too on things I want them to use, but whether it helps idk :rotfl:

SensibleSarah

I've never had issues with wires and kittens from any of my resident felines or foster kittens. Provide plenty of toys, places to scratch, a litter tray in each room until he's a bit bigger to avoid accidents. I'd restrict to one room for the first 24 hours but after that he'll probably be fine assuming he's fairly outgoing? You might want to confine him to one room whilst you're out or overnight but that depends if you like sleep or not

My only safety issue over the years of having kittens is actually window blinds. The vertical blinds connected by plastic beads at the bottom have all had to be removed since one of mine managed to nearly strangle herself on the beads when she was a few months old.

Definitely don't let him outside until at least 6 months old - they just don't have much common sense as kittens.

Probably too late but I'd also heartily recommend getting a pair of kittens rather than a single unless you're fully prepared to be a full time servant to your new cat. Single kittens are so attention seeking! The size of house isn't so much the issue in my experience, especially if they are going to go outdoors at some stage, and pairs are a million times easier on your house as they focus on playing together much more than destroying things

iammumtoone

I think people can overthink sometimes, probably due to reading posts on here from those who think that feeding a kitten/cat even one bowl of go-cat will permanently harm it.

You will be fine, as long as you keep an eye on it, care for it, play and give it attention, you will be giving it a loving home.

Enjoy your new friend.

wort

Thank you I am probably over thinking it!
Sarah no blinds thankfully, just curtains for him to run up!!!:rotfl:

iammumtoone

wort wrote: »

Sarah no blinds thankfully, just curtains for him to run up!!!:rotfl:

I had a kitten that ran up people, every time he saw someone he would run up their back to sit on their shoulders :rotfl: It was most embarrassing when it did it to the vet on the first checkup.

x_raphael_xx

I've heard before to keep them to one room for a day or two, then slowly let them roam further by opening rooms one by one.
Not such a huge space to make them nervous and you know (hopefully) where they are.

gettingready

wort wrote: »

Hi tiger lily it's a boy ! No name yet, tabby and white. Was tempted to get his sister, but not sure my house is big enough!, lol . .

I got 4 cats and a 40kg dog in a 2 bed flat with one bedroom shut off as not in use so really a 1 bed flat.

Get 2, one will be lonely and 2 are so much fun to watch

wort

Haha ! My daughters 2 cats sit on her shoulders as she prepares their food !