by Kelly Ismail

Created on: December 02, 2008

Rescuing a kitten takes patience, compassion, and care. When a kitten has been rescued they are generally scared and it takes time for them to become accustomed to their surroundings. They are usually undernourished and loaded with fleas. There are some tips for making their transition into your home a little easier.

First, you have to consider whether you already have cats at home. The kitten will need to be separated from them for awhile so that they can get used to their surroundings and to you. This also gives you a chance to get them bathed because of the fleas and a chance to egt them to a vet to get them tested for worms and other kitty conditions. You don't want to expose your other cats to anything they might be carrying. The best place for them is a small area like a bathroom. There you can set up their own litter box, food and water, and a place for them to sleep. This also gives you a place to get the kitten used to you and your other family members. It also gives the other cats time to get used to a new kitty smell.

After the kitten has been to the vet and isn't so skittish around you, give them a little more room to move around. One room at a time is good as it lets the kitten get used to each area. This is also a good time to introduce your other cats to the kitten. This way you can evaluate how they respond to each other. If your cats are aggressive to the kitten, you will want to keep them separated a little longer.

Kittens love to play and use their nails. They also like to climb when they are playing and exploring, so its best to get them used to kitty stands and scratching posts.

Try to spend time with your kitten. Play with them and be affectionate. They are babies and need to learn right from wrong. Take the time to let your kitten adjust to its surroundings and be patient with them.

Remember that kittens aren't born litter trained. This is something that you will need to work on with your kitten. You can do this by keeping them separated in a room with their own litter box. Let them get used to using the box before you move it. Once you feel comfortable that they are using it consistently, move the box and show them where you moved it. If they make a mistake just keep showing them where the box is. If the mistake becomes a problem, put them back in a room with their litter box and let them get used to the box again.

Kittens are a lot of fun and are very cute, but they also need a lot of love and care.

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