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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Oswego chapter.

New cat owners will have a lot on their plate when introducing their new kitten to their new home, but fear not, here are tips on how to adjust to this new addition to the family. 

Tip #1

Do as much research as you can before your kitten arrives so you have everything you need. It’s better to be overprepared than underprepared. Months before I received Minnie, my emotional support animal (ESA), I had done a bunch of research. I bought her a bed only to realize that she would rather sleep next to or on top of me.

tip #2

With a new kitten, make sure to get them vaccinated to protect them from a wide range of extremely contagious diseases. Even if they are an indoor cat, it is better to have them protected in case they escape. 

tip #3

Cats don’t drink as much water as dogs, so in order for them to stay hydrated, feed them wet food along with their kibble. You should also buy a water fountain to encourage them to drink water. But be careful not to overhydrate them!

tip #4

Playtime!!! A kitten is still young and full of energy, and a great way to stimulate them is to play with them. I bought Minnie a tunnel, cat tower, laser pointer, teaser, and a self-play toy tower for when I am in class. She loves them! 

tip #5

Every cat is different, so the best thing you can do is be attentive to your cat’s needs, behavior, likes, and dislikes. Their tails do give you a sense of what your cat’s mood is, so it won’t hurt to look more into that. 

tip #6

Cats do a good job of cleaning most debris from their coat, but they won’t get everything out. How often you bathe them depends on the cat. I bathe Minnie every 4 to 6 weeks because she’s a short hair indoor cat, and she also grooms herself often. The only reason I bathe her before is when she finds her way into something messy or sticky. Gently bathing your cat at an early age helps them form a good relationship with water. 

Since baths can stress a cat out, make sure to give them lots of love and treats afterward and, if they want, some alone time to dry themselves off. 

tip #7

Look into pet insurance, it can help you in the long run. 

tip #8

Spay/Neuter your cat when they become of age! It prevents unwanted kittens and can reduce the number of cats on the streets. 

Carla Borbon

Oswego '23

Carla is a Creative Writing major and a Journalism minor at SUNY Oswego. She was born and raised in the Bronx and considers books and tv shows her best friends. From reading books like Percy Jackson and the Maze Runner Trilogy to Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and more, her love for writing blossomed from there. She wants to become an author but as she grows older, what she wants to do became blurry like her glasses on a rainy day. So here she is, with a kitten named Minnie and glasses wipers, trying to find her way.