Bringing Home a New Kitten
Bringing Home a New Kitten!
You’ve taken to the plunge to adopt a kitten! Congratulations! Now is the time to bond, enjoy and establish a relationship that will grow and remain strong as long as she lives. But, first things first! Remember bringing your kitten into a new environment could be frightening for her. She’s going to be away from all the familiar smells and sounds of her former home. She’s not going to know you yet. Best to take things slow and easy the first few days. Let her acclimate. However, before you bring her home prepare in advance.
Getting Ready for Kitten
Vaccinate: Make certain that all your current pets are up to date on their vaccines
Purchase: A sturdy carrier, food and water dishes, litter box, litter (no clumping clay litter please! Kittens might eat it and cause intestinal blockage), scratching posts and bedding and toys! Interactive toys that stimulate the mind are such fun. Environmental enrichment is very important at all stages of your kitten’s development. 
Prepare a safe space: Set up a quiet room for her, away from all the hubbub of the home. It can be overwhelming for a little kitten to be plopped down into a large, unfamiliar home. You can use a spare bedroom or bathroom. This will give her a sense of security and prevent undue stress. Include a “safe” place to hide, perhaps an upside down cardboard box with a hole cut out so she can go in there and hide.
Kitten proof your home: Cover electrical cords, remove breakable items from around the home, remove strings, rubber bands and thread (kittens can eat those and cause intestinal blockage).
Remove any harmful plants: If you are uncertain if a certain plant is poisonous please look this list up at the ASPCA POISON CONTROL CENTER. For example, the Sago Palm is lethal to both cats and dogs.
Beware of potential accidents!
- Keep your dryer, washer and toilet lid closed. Kittens love crawling into them and exploring.
- Be certain that you place window blind cords up high to avoid kitten accidentally getting strangled on the cord.
- Remind family to be observant when opening and closing doors, cupboards, refrigerators and freezers or moving a chair. Kittens are inherently curious and will want to explore these areas. The result could be injury or death.
- Not all cat toys are safe! Be mindful of toys with small parts that can be eaten or create a chock hazard.
First Day Home!
While in transport, keep kitten in carrier at all times! When you get home place her (still in the carrier) into her room, open the door and allow her on her own to come out and explore. Do not force her out of the carrier. Once she comes out allow her to approach you. Don’t move towards her. Always be gentle when handling her and speak to her in a calm, soothing voice. For now, leave the carrier in the room with her, leaving the carrier door propped open. The carrier will become her temporary hiding space.
Introducing Kitten to Your Home!
Please allow kitten several days to settle into her new room. Once you see that she is comfortable you can begin to allow her to explore one room in the home at a time. If you have an open floor plan or multiple floor levels then utilize baby gates to keep kitten away from harmful areas of the home. If possible, close off all other doors leading to bedrooms or other areas of the home. Have some familiar toys for her to play with as well as treats. Always keep the kitten’s “safe” room accessible so she can run in there to hide if she becomes frightened
Never Allow Kitten to Roam Unsupervised!
Even after kitten has adjusted well to her new home it isn’t a good idea to leave her unattended while you are at work, running errands or otherwise occupied. To be safe please place her into her “safe” room until you are able to observe her activity. Once kitten reaches 6 months of age, she will be well on her way to handling the challenges of your home and her (by now) familiar environment.
Bring Kitten to Your Vet for an Exam!
It’s important for your new kitten to receive a health check up from your local veterinarian. This is crucial on many levels, she needs her kitten vaccines to stay healthy. She also needs other medical treatments such as deworming, possible nutritional supplements and it introduces the vet to your kitten. This comes in handy if an accident were to occur. Having an established relationship with your vet is important to your kitten’s future health!
Last but not least! Remember to keep kitten in her safe room when you are not able to supervise her directly.
Congratulations! And please! Spay! Neuter! and Microchip your pets!
