To wrap up, kittens are natural explorers, so letting them roam around the house is necessary for their wellness and development. However, make sure that your kitten is already litter trained and familiar with your home before allowing it to roam freely on its own.
Most experts agree that it's safe to let your kitten explore the house once they are thoroughly litter box trained and know how to find the litter box.
Allowing a cat the run of the whole house straight away can be overwhelming and stressful for him; he will be far happier if he only has to cope with a small environment at first. The room should be warm and quiet, such as a spare bedroom, somewhere that you don't have to keep going in and out of.
It is best not to leave your kitten outside alone until it is 6 months old and it is essential that it is neutered (from 4 months of age) before allowing it unsupervised access. If you have adopted an adult cat you probably will have been advised to keep it in for 2-3 weeks to settle into its new home.
Most kittens start walking around 3 weeks of age, but take a little longer to gain their coordination. You can be comfortable saying a kitten who is walking pretty well and playing is at least 4 weeks of age.
Confine your new kitten for at least 24 hours (up to several weeks for shyer kittens). This will help them adjust to their new surroundings faster, so they can focus on having fun with YOU! Confinement also helps them with litter box refresher training.
Sleeping alone is good for your kitten.
It's also important for him to be willing to stay off the bed or out of the room when you don't want him there. The earlier you teach this lesson, the more likely it is to stick.
Excitements, such as other cats, dogs, and children etc., should be excluded if possible, so that your kitten isn't spooked by them and just concentrates on you. Allow your kitten to look out through the door and make its own way outside. Or, open the cat flap for it to look.
Understandably, most parents are a bundle of nerves the first time they let their house cat explore beyond the confines of their condo, wondering, "Will my baby come back?" We are happy to say that most of the time, yes, outdoor cats will come back. However, there is always a chance that they won't.
They Want to Explore
If your kitten has started exploring by themselves, this is a sign that they are warming up to their new home. Try to give them some space to discover new parts of the home by themselves, since trying to pet them too frequently could make them distressed.
Where should my kitten sleep on the first night? In the first few nights, have your kitten close to you in a warm and cosy spot next to your bed.
This means that the best place for a kitten to sleep is a warm and secure spot, sheltered from draughts. It's not a bad idea to have the kitten close to you for just the first few nights. Find a cosy place next to your bed and you can even choose a spot up off the floor if possible.
Yes, you can keep your cat in the cat cage while you are at work. If your cat is litter box trained, they can stay in the cage all day without having any accidents. Make sure to provide plenty of food and water to your cat while they are in the cage.
The answer is – not always. Cats are nocturnal animals, so it's common for them to wake up throughout the night. While it's true that kittens love snoozing and can sleep up to 18 to 20 hours a day, it doesn't always happen when their human family members are asleep. Cats are generally active at dawn and dusk.
Keep the cat flap locked and cats well away from the cat flap and/or room with the cat flap if necessary. Remember it is for their own good and you may save money on future vets bills by not letting them out when they are most at risk.
If you want to avoid all of the risks that we've discussed, it's best to keep your cat indoors. While cats may seem like they want to go outdoors, the safest bet is to create a stimulating environment for them inside so they will be content and fulfilled.
Plan to keep your kitten in their special room for at least the first 24 hours, and up to two weeks. This can be a great way to let them gradually get used to the smells and sounds of their new house. It's especially important if you already have pets in the house.
Kittens younger than six months are developing rapidly both mentally and physically and crave a strong bond with their humans. Being separated from them for long periods leads to loneliness and anxiety, resulting in various health and behavioural problems.
Kittens are very playful. Give them an assortment of toys to keep them occupied and exercised – these need not be expensive – every kitten loves a cardboard box to play in. Play is also a good way for you to get to know and trust each other. Provide your kitten with a scratching post.
Kitten-Proof Your Home
Kittens between two and four months of age should only be left alone four to six hours at a time, not a full workday. When they're a little older, around six months, you can be gone all day. But they'll certainly be happier if you can check in on them at lunchtime or ask a friend to stop by.
Kittens & Young Cats
Kittens under 4 months old should not be left on their own for more than 4 hours at a time. If because of your lifestyle, your cat will need to get used to time alone, begin training your kitten by gradually increasing the amount of time you are out of the house.
Just like humans, cats can get bored too. For such smart animals, boredom might get the best of them if they aren't provided with an environment that provides enough mental and physical stimulation. As a result, a bored cat may exhibit unwanted and destructive behaviors.