Welcoming Your
New Kitten
Into Your Home
GOING TO COLLECT YOUR KITTEN
So the day finally arrives when you can collect your new kitten! You will need to take a cat carrier with
you, which is best to prepare with a base layer of newspaper (in case of any accidents!). On top of this
place a nice cosy blanket or towel which you could consider spraying with Feliway feline pheromone
(see ‘Preparing your home…’) to make your cat feel more relaxed and safe. Don’t flatten down the
blanket as this will provide a hiding place if your kitten is scared.
Kittens normally leave their mum from 8 weeks of age. Be very wary of anyone trying to sell/give you a
kitten earlier than this. Leaving their mother too soon may mean they do not learn all of the necessary
socialisation skills (they learn to feed, use a litter tray etc. by watching their mother). Try to get as much
information about your kitten as possible. You might like to ask what food they have been fed on,
whether or not they have been wormed and if and when there have been any health issues or concerns.
SETTLING YOUR KITTEN AT HOME- FROM THE FIRST DAY AND BEYOND
We would recommend you set up all of your kitten’s things in a room that is quiet and safe and you
can shut off from the rest of the house. This way your new pet can take a few days to explore and feel
secure in this area before being exposed to the rest of your home. This may be particularly important
if you already have a cat(s).
A Feliway diffuser already installed in this room is a good idea (see ‘Preparing your home…’ for more
information). Let your kitten step out of the cat carrier and into your room in his/her own time.
Depending on its personality, it may be very confident and begin exploring right away or if it is
more timid, do not be surprised if it takes some time or chooses to hide immediately. NB. If the kitten
is very timid, it may be best for you to leave the room and let it come out on its own.
Once your kitten seems to be settled you could try offering it some of the food it is used to. Don’t
be surprised if he/she doesn’t eat very much, it should have settled in well within a day or two. Even
though kittens are incredibly cute, try to resist picking it up and petting it too much at this stage!
Kittens will inevitably be a little stressed having left their Mum and litter mates for the first time,
undergone transport in a cat carrier and now being in a completely new environment on their own.
Try to let your kitten initiate contact with you and consider using a radio on low volume when you
have to leave it on its own.
When you feel your kitten has settled in and is confident in its special room you can begin to let him/
her explore the rest of your home. Building a bond with you through play, consistently predictable
behaviour (from you) and being allowed to initiate affection and contact should enable it to feel safe
and confident.
INTRODUCING YOUR KITTEN TO THE REST OF THE FAMILY
Introducing your kitten to another cat should be done very gradually and at the cats’ pace for the best
outcome to be achieved. If introductions are rushed or your current cat feels threatened and takes a
dislike to the new kitten it can be much harder for them to get on and build an acceptable relationship
later on. It is a very good idea whilst your kitten is still in its special room to rub a cloth or towel on your
kitten and then rub it on your current cat(s) and vice versa. This will enable both cats to get used to
each other’s scent and form a ‘general house scent’ which is much less threatening.
Progress to allowing the cats to see each other through a crack in the door and, eventually, let the
kitten out. When doing this it is sensible to feed each cat away from each other at this time (but close
enough that they can see each other) as they will begin to associate seeing each other with pleasant
things i.e. food. Providing enough resources (beds, food bowls, litter trays, hiding places etc.) will be
key to preventing conflict between your cats. If you experience any problems between your new
kitten and your current cat/s please contact us for advice.
When introducing your kitten to a dog, as with other cats, swap scents over several days and gradually
progress to face-to-face with your dog on a lead as calm as possible (try after a long walk) and allow
escape routes for your feline friend if they feel frightened! Do not allow your dog to chase your kitten
and give them treats so that they associate your dog with something positive!
Introduce human family members one at a time and, although a new pet is incredibly exciting, try
keep children as calm as possible. Teach them to let the kitten to come to them.
TIME FOR A CHECK-UP!
It is always a good idea to book a health check for your kitten with a vet for a few days after you bring
it home, this allows it time to settle in. Please download your voucher for a free 30 minute check at
Mimram Vets. Here we will give your new kitten a full physical examination to check all is well and give
you the opportunity to raise any concerns. We will happily give you advice and answer any questions
or queries you may have. If anything is concerning you about your new pet before their scheduled
health check please give us a ring and we can see your kitten sooner.
USEFUL LINKS:
• http://icatcare.org/
• http://www.cats.org.uk/cat-care/care-leaflets/essential-guides
• http://icatcare.org/sites/default/files/PDF/essential_cattitude.pdf