Great news - the time has finally come when you can welcome your new kitten into your home! Just like bringing home a new-born baby, you’ll want everything to be just right so that they’ll settle in quickly and feel right at home.
Making the decision to get a kitten is incredibly exciting as not only will you be gaining a new furry friend, but you’ll also be getting an extra family member!
Before bringing a kitten home, you’ll need to spend a bit of time preparing for them. That’s why we’ve created this guide to tell you everything you need to know, so you can welcome your new four-legged friend into a warm, friendly environment where they’ll feel safe, comfortable and right at home!
New Kitten Checklist
Before bringing home a new kitten, there’s a bit of admin for you to do! Here are a few things to get sorted before they arrive:
Registering your Kitten at the Vet
- If you don’t already have a vet, ask local cat owners to recommend one, and get your new kitten registered straight away. It’s much less stressful to know they’re on the books already, as you’ll need to take them for their kitten vaccinations and later for neutering. It’s also worth it for the peace of mind whenever you might need them for illness or injury.
- Look at pet insurance so you know that no matter what the future holds for your new cat, you won’t have the worry of whether you can pay vet bills.
- Your kitten’s breeder may well have had them microchipped already but if not, talk to your vet about when the best time is to get this done. Legally it must be done before your kitten is 20 weeks old (in the UK).
What to Buy for Your New Kitten
Now the admin is out of the way, it’s time for the fun part – shopping for your cute kitten! These are a few of the essentials you’ll need when you get a new kitten:
- A secure cat carrier to bring your new arrival home – cat carriers come in a wide range of sizes so make sure you get one that’s the right size for your cat to be comfortable.
- At least two bowls – one for food and one for water. Opt for easy-clean ceramic or glass bowls over metal ones – some cats don’t like reflections or shadows in their bowl as they feed or drink. Make sure it’s wide enough for them to lean in and lap from without their whiskers touching the sides, as this can put some cats off and not too deep that it is uncomfortable for a kitten to lean in. To start with a saucer might be a better idea if your kitten is really tiny.
- A litter tray and litter - It’s best to use the same type used by the breeder or rescue shelter, at least until they’ve settled in, so that they recognise it – and, importantly, know what to do with it! Make sure it is in a quiet corner where your cat has easy access. Read another one of our articles to learn more about litter training.
- A cat bed – many prefer an igloo-style bed for snuggly security, or one elevated from the ground (e.g. as part of an activity centre). You will find out what kind of bed your likes as they settle into your home – and they will want to be able to settle in several places depending on their mood.
- Grooming equipment, particularly if they’re longhaired.
- Scratching posts made of sisal, cardboard or natural wood. Scratching helps keep your cats’ claws in good condition and a dedicated post should prevent them from doing this necessary claw care on your furniture and carpets.
- A range of cat toys. Their favourite games will almost certainly be ones that simulate hunting, chasing and pouncing – so these can be ones that involve you, like dangly soft toys for them to chase and pounce on or else ones that move on their own. This gives them a safe outlet for their natural hunting behaviours.
- Kitten food. Feed your new kitten the same diet they’re used to from their breeder or rescue centre for at least a week, and if you decide to change their food, switch them gradually taking at least a week for the changeover.
Kitten’s first week – how to settle a kitten
Now it’s time for your kitten to come home with you! This is a super-exciting part for you, but remember that your cat may be a little scared – it’s a new situation for them. It’s best to keep everything calm and gentle at first, rather than bringing your kitten home to a loud welcome party.
Car travel can be a bit disorientating and nerve-wracking when bringing a kitten home, so make sure the carrier is comfortable, spray the inside with a calming pheromone spray about 15 minutes before you put them in, and place the carrier on a flat secure space in your car, or on the footwell floor, and cover it with a blanket. You should find that the spray, the darkness and careful driving help to keep them calm. Go straight home after you’ve collected them – this isn’t the time to pop to the shops!
For the first few days, keep your kitten in one quiet room so they can get used to their new home gradually. Once you’re home, place their carrying basket on the floor, open the door, then let them come out in their own time. They’ll probably have a good sniff around before finding their bed. When they’ve investigated every nook and cranny, sit on the floor with them for a while so they can choose whether to come and interact with you or not, offer them food, make sure they have water and know where the litter tray is - and see if they need a rest.
Kittens love to sleep, and they need plenty of it. A young kitten needs 18-22 hours a day so, after all the excitement of the car journey and exploring their new home, they’ll need a nap. Position your kitten’s sleeping arrangements somewhere warm, quiet and away from draughts and let them get some rest. Stay close beside them so they don’t feel alone.
Do offer them some food but don't be surprised if they don't eat it. Cats may go off their food for a while if they’re a bit stressed and everything is new for them, so give them time to settle in and their appetite should soon return.
Place their litter tray in a quiet, easily accessible area of the room, where they won’t be disturbed. This should be away from their bed and feeding area.
Sometimes it helps to have brought some lightly soiled litter from the breeder's house that your kitten has already used. This can help them recognise their new toilet.
Check it at least twice a day, removing solids and soiled litter straight away. Fully empty and disinfect the tray at least once a week to keep it smelling fresh. Ensure you have more than one litter tray around the house to prevent toileting issues especially if you have more than one cat. There should be one litter tray per cat plus one extra.
Once your kitten has had a couple of days to settle in, or seems to be confident and happy, you can let them explore more of their new home. Make sure everyone handles them gently and that they wait for the kitten to come to them without chasing them, grabbing them or trying to hug them.
Keep your new kitten indoors for the first few weeks to allow them time to get to know you and all the different smells and sounds in their environment. During this time, you’ll need to ensure that there are no open doors or windows which they could sneak through.
They should only go outdoors when they, and you, are feeling confident – and after they are fully vaccinated and neutered. If you’re not sure when this will be, speak to your veterinary surgeon who’ll be happy to advise you.
Make sure that you can dedicate time to your cat so they can bond to you and you can begin to develop a trusting relationship. This will help them acclimatise to their new surroundings and help them settle into your household routine. This might mean arranging to work from home or booking a few days of holiday to spend quality time with your new pet – this time is essential not only for helping your new kitten to settle in, but also for establishing your bond.
Some cat breeds do not like being left alone and so this is something to be considered.
Once your kitten has found their confidence, they will soon be dashing around the house. Watch your step – they can appear suddenly from nowhere!
Be prepared that they may be a bit withdrawn to begin with, but as long as you keep things quiet, let them explore and interact with everyone in the household in their own time, and have a chance to get to discover their new home, they should soon settle and seem like they have always been there. If you have any concerns however – especially if they aren’t eating - speak to your vet.
Your kitten’s breeder and your veterinary practice will be more than happy to give you further help and advice about caring for your new cat, their health and settling them into their new home. All you’ll have to do is enjoy getting to know them and playing and having fun with your new furry friend.
Now you know all about bringing home a new kitten, you’ll probably be wondering about the next steps – read our guide to kitten socialisation so you know how to safely introduce your new kitty to all members of the family.
FAQs
Do kittens get sad when they go to a new home?
When a kitten comes to a new home, they are just a tiny baby, and their world has totally changed. They have been taken away from their mother and litter mates for the first time in their life and they are in a strange place with people they don’t know. This is a huge change for them, and you have to expect them to take time to settle in.
Should I keep my new kitten in one room?
Yes, this allows them to get used to their new home without being too overwhelmed.
Purina Editorial Team
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