Katie!! You can be a member of many many forums, but of course this one's "Da Best"
Cor, I'm not surprised you're excited. We like nothing better than a kitten countdown here on purrs, and in fact another of our members Nic, has just acquired two kittens, which she also had to wait a wee while for. We had great fun keeping her pccupied until Gotcha Day arrived.
Mweekie also just got a kitten fairly recently, so you're in very good company.
You'll never hear us ask "why on earth get a kitten?" - quite the opposite in fact. We all know why you'd get a kitten - or a cat - any day in the year.
And dogs and cats can rub along very well when the introductions are managed right.
It helps that Indie is already growing up amnog cats and dogs and teenagers too. What I'd suggest you start doing now, is scent swapping - getting an item of clothing, or an old towel or cloth, and rubbing at all over Indie when you go to visit her. Then take the cloth home and let the dogs have a good old sniff - do the same in reverse, rubbing down the dogs and taking the cloths back for Indie to sniff. That will mean that once Indie arrives in her new home with you, they'll already have had a good recognition of each other's scents. Keep topping up the scent exchanges when you get an opportunity.
Intros should always take place gradually, and always under supervision. Your older dog may find a kitten a little overwhelming, so keep an eye on their interactions. Equally, a young labrador can be quite heavy pawed, so just watch out for that initially - he'll love the playfulness of a kitten, but you dont want any squishing accidents
I would also say begin now kitten proofing the house. Kittens can get everywhere - and I mean everywhere! The unlikeliest of places will accommodate a kitten, however narrow or small. Tidy up cables and so far as you can, keep them out of sight. Wsashing machine doors should always be kept closed, and check the machine before washing a load. Keep the toilet seat down - tell everyone. Keep it shut. Keep threads, wool and other chewables out of reach. You might want to remove any delicate or fragile ornaments and other decorative items initially.
Kittens love to play, and tiring them out before bedtime makes for a peaceful household. Wand toys are the best, and laser pointers. And interactive food treattoys where they have to work to get at the treats inside. Check out Purrs own shop for some great ideas. Really spend time playing with her until she's worn out. Then you get some kitten cuddling time
Handle her as often as you can, even now.
A nice comfy cat bed will be a good place for her to rest - at least at first until she claims all other items of furniture as her own, and a high-ish cat tree for her to climb on and escape from the dogs when she wants to would also be a good idea.
Gotta go now, but others will be along soon with tons of other ideas and suggestions.
Can we see more piccies please? And when - exactly - are you getting her?
We need to know.
We're like the Hotel California here - you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.....!!
