Tips to Prepare Your Home for a New Kitten.

During the spring, animal shelters and rescue groups are inundated with kittens and pregnant feline mothers, and this is the time of year when they are most pressed for space and looking for loving homes for cats - young and old. If you're thinking of adopting a kitten this month ( June is Adopt a Cat Month ), there are a wealth of preparations you'll need to make in your home to safeguard your pet and your home's furnishings against your kitten's mischief. The following tips could help you hit the ground running with your new pet.

1. Perform a full home safety check. In the same way that you would prepare your home for the arrival of a newborn baby, the same tact should be used when looking through your abode for potential trouble spots. According to Catster.com, you should pay particular attention to small spaces like pipes, chimney grates, door and window screens, as well as cupboards and closets that your kitten could squeeze into. Last but not least, make sure to remove small items like pens, scissors, needles and thread, cords and wires and any potentially toxic houseplants that may tempt your kitten.
2. Add cat furnishings. If you're worried about your kitten running amok in your home and posing a threat to your furniture, there is a wealth of decorating ideas for a cat-friendly home. Cat furniture like cat trees, carpet-covered scratching posts and a few padded window boxes will provide plenty of places for your kitten to bare his or her claws, climb, and reap the benefits of regular exercise. Be sure to place these furnishings near a large window to give your cat a view to the outdoors to provide a bit of mental stimulation.
3. Make comfort a priority. Kittens will showcase both ends of the behavioral spectrum - bouts of intense energy and plenty of sleeping to recharge. As a result, Discovery.com suggests placing a premium on comfort in your kitten's first few weeks in your home. For instance, consider placing both your cat's bedding and litter box in low-traffic areas, so he or she will feel secure when taking a nap or doing his or her business.

This content is provided by the pet wellness experts at Hartz. We know that adopting a dog or cat is a huge commitment, so we're here to help you feel confident and become the best pet parent you can be.