The process of discovering a new environment, new family members and fellow house-mates such as dogs or cats already on the premises is a very important one that will determine how successfully your kitten integrates into its new home. As such, the process should be gradual. Certain behaviours and a few simple adjustment around the home can help protect your new kitten from common dangers.

To make sure your kitten feels completely safe when it arrives, its kitty-kit (see Kitty-kit below) should contain all the accessories needed to provide for you and your kitten's comfort, play time and meal times. It's also important to consider carefully where to put everything.

The end of the week is the best time to get a new kitten, because the weekend is when you'll have enough time to keep a close eye on it. Avoid getting your kitten just before a long holiday at home, as the kitten will quickly get used to being with you all the time and will have trouble getting used to being alone afterward.

Remember that your kitten has just been introduced to a completely foreign environment. Rein in your enthusiasm, and do things quietly and calmly. Avoid handing the cat back and forth between people.

When raised in an overly noisy or bustling environment, such as one with boisterous kids, your kitten may grow up to be a veritable timid and fearful cat.

Learn to protect your kitten

Sole responsibility for your kitten's safety is in your hands. Now that you've taken over for its mother and the breeder, the kitten will turn to you for comfort and protection. Protect your kitten: its growth and emotional well-being will depend on the attention you give it.

With children

Children usually want to cuddle and touch a new kitten a great deal, and they also tend to get overexcited and pull its tail. Although adult cats know very well how to avoid children and the potential annoyance they bring, kittens won't do that. You need to explain to your children that the kitten is not a toy, that it needs a lot of sleep, and that it's not okay to wake it up just to play with it. In fact, we even suggest that children not be allowed to play with the kitten in your absence, which is not only good for the kitten, but will spare your kids the unpleasant experience of getting scratched. It's also important to teach children not to lift a cat by its tail, which is fragile and will often not survive the trip.

The right moves

Learn how to handle your kitten with care. Sudden or rough movements can be terrifying.

The best way to carry a kitten is to put one open hand under its rib cage and, in the case of larger cats, another under its hind legs.

To demonstrate who's boss, you can safely pick up and carry your kitten by the scruff of its neck, just the way its mother did.

The wrong moves

• Pulling its tail
• Grabbing its head
• Putting your hands under its forepaws

The presence of other pets

To help your kitten integrate properly, it's important to introduce it to the other furry residents as quickly as possible. Keep in mind that there's little point in trying to get your kitten to befriend your pet rodents or birds, as they can rarely make good friends. As for the other pets, the first meeting should be supervised, and for the first few days, it's not a good idea to leave them alone, especially if they don't seem to have become fast friends.

As soon as a kitten arrives in a new home, it's important that it be able to find its kitty things right away.

All the following accessories are available at pet supply stores:

• Basket: A comfortable place where the kitten will feel safe; keep in mind that the kitten will ultimately decide where to sleep.
• Litter box: A sufficiently deep and large litter box for adult cats, along with a scoop for cleaning the box. Ideally, the box should be a covered model that helps keep the box's contents inside and reduce odours.
• Food bowl: A food bowl located away from the water bowl and a litter box; cats don't like to have their food and litter box side-by-side.
• Water bowl: You can place a number of water bowls throughout the house. We highly recommend using an automatic water fountain; because cats love them, they will drink more water, which helps prevent urinary tract problems.
• Scratching post: This gives your cats something to scratch other than your furniture.
• Toys: Purchase toys suited to your kitten's size. Avoid using children's toys, as cats will become unable to differentiate between cat toys and children's toys.
• Pet carrier: When taking your cat for a ride in the car, you should always use a well-designed pet carrier. Purchase one that will be big enough to hold your cat once it reaches maturity.

Household hazards

Better safe than sorry!

Although we may not realize it, our homes are dangerous places, and it doesn't take more than a slight move or a little forgetfulness to threaten your kitten's safety.

However, by adopting a few new behaviours and making a few changes around the house, you'll spare your kitten more than a few unfortunate domestic accidents.

Kittens have the annoying habit of getting comfy in closets, drawers and linen baskets, not to mention the potentially catastrophic washing machine or clothes drier drums. By scouting your house for potential hiding spots, you'll reduce the risk of accidents. It's also a good idea to get used to looking where you're about to step, and remember not to close doors until you're sure that your furry little friend isn't in the way.

You should also find out about your house plants and make sure they're not toxic. Kittens tend to enjoy nibbling on vegetation in the home.

Simple household adjustments (basic child-proofing measures)

• Hide electrical wires
• Block electrical outlets
• Put away pesticides and other toxic products
• Put away all medications
• Put away all small objects, such as elastics, thumb tacks, needles, etc.

Good habits to adopt

• Keep all plastic bags and objects made of foam out of reach