The Witchlings are being joined this week by two new family members.  They are twins and they are just 8 weeks old.


It seems like only yesterday that I came sleepily down stairs one Saturday morning, only to have my toes savagely attacked by a small ball of tabby fluff.  That ball of fluff grew into my constant companion and on the day she finally spent the last of her 9 lives I was inconsolable.

So now I am all grown up and it is The Witchlings’ turn to experience the rapture of new kittens!  However the question remains; How do I introduce one terrible twosome to the other with the minimum of stress, and drama!
Here are the gems of wisdom that our Feline Social Worker at Mid Cheshire Animal Welfare provided me with to help the introductions go smoothly for all concerned.
•    Kittens love to be played with and frequent handling, grooming and play are vital.  But children (especially little ones) have to understand that kittens are very fragile, sensitive creatures.

•    Show children the correct way to pick up a kitten and hold her.
    Gently slide one hand under her chest.
    Hold the front legs firmly, but gently, with your fingers.
    Cup the other hand underneath the kitten’s bottom.

•    Make certain that children know never to pick up a kitten by the scruff of the neck.

•    Pulling tails and ears, squeezing or poking are all big no-nos.

•    Children should be taught that kittens are very sensitive to loud or sudden noises and that they do not like sudden movements.

•    Kittens are very tiny creatures and have a different view of the world than us.  Even a little child will seem like a thundering giant to a tiny kitten.

•    If your new kitten does panic and scratches or bites your child DO NOT punish either the kitten or the child.  Explain that the kitten was a little bit over excited or frightened and that accidents happen.  Give both a bit of a breather from each other – in separate rooms – to allow them to calm down.

•    Never leave a kitten and a child alone together.

•    Keep children away from the litter tray but encourage them to join in the other aspects of the kitten’s care such as feeding her, or shopping for toys.

•    Introduce the kitten and your child to each other in small easy stages.  They will both need some time to get used to each other.

•    Older children need to understand what a big responsibility having a pet is.  This is not a toy to be discarded like last Christmas’ Barbie doll.

•    Make sure the child understands that the kitten will not always want to play. You will need to make a safe space for the kitten away from where the child’s toys are so that they can give each other space and feel safe.
So we are all set! The Twins are joining us this week and will have a couple of weeks to get used to their new surroundings before The Witchlings get back from their summer holidays with Grandmera & Grapper.  Then the fun will really begin!

Useful and Interesting Items:
Dog Breeders UK
Shaggy Rugs
Rug Centre