Bringing Home Your New Kitten

How should I prepare my house for my new kitten?

Kittens are full of energy, excitement, and fun. Transitioning to a new home is a big step for even the most playful and outgoing kitten. Before your kitten comes home, make sure you have considered what the kitten will need. Be sure to provide:

• Feeding and watering station, including puzzle feeders.
• Litter stations with low sides for easy entry (at least one per level of the home).
• Resting and hiding areas away from people and other pets.
• Vertical spaces so your kitten can observe the environment and explore.
• Scratchable substrates or posts; offer at least two different types of surfaces, such as cardboard and sisal. Offer a choice of orientation as well — both vertical and horizontal options.
• A safe area for the kitten to be confined when left home alone, with food, water, toys, a litter box and comfortable resting spots.
• A pet carrier that will be used for transport. Keep the carrier out and available for your cat to use as a resting place, if they choose. Occasionally deposit new toys or treats in the carrier so that entering the carrier is a pleasant experience.
• Consider synthetic pheromone products (e.g., Feliway®) in resting areas.

Consider whether you would like to bring home just one kitten or a pair. Many shelters and adoption agencies highly recommend adopting littermate kittens for the best success.

If you already have other pets, prepare your home in advance so you have the option of providing the newcomer and the resident pets with their own private areas during the initial stages, to prevent stress and promote peaceful gradual introductions. If you have the option to visit with your kitten before bringing them home, bring along a soft piece of fleece or hand towel. Stroke the new kitten’s cheek and body with the fleece or hand towel to absorb the kitten’s pheromones, then bring this item home with you. Allow your existing pets to investigate the fabric that now carries the special scent of their soon-to-be family member. If your existing pets show no signs of fear or conflict when investigating, leave the fabric near their resting place to begin creating a community scent before your new kitten arrives.

How should I prepare for the ride home?

Any time a kitten travels in a vehicle, they should be placed inside a secured carrier. Line the inside of the carrier with a non-slip material and soft bedding. If possible, place a small piece of bedding from your kitten’s current home into the carrier as well. Bedding can be treated with synthetic pheromone products such as Feliway® to further reduce stress.

Your kitten will feel more comfortable and secure if you carry the carrier from the bottom rather than the by the handle. This will minimize swinging movements. Place the carrier on a seat and secure it with a seat belt, then cover the carrier with a towel. Make sure the temperature of the vehicle is comfortable and consider playing calming music during the ride.

How should I introduce my kitten to my home?

When you arrive home, put any other pets in a separate area before bringing your kitten inside. Then, carry the kitten, still in the carrier, to a quiet and secure area so your kitten cannot escape into an inaccessible hiding place when you open the carrier door.

Set her room up so she can easily find food, water, toys, safe climbing spots, and her litter box, Sit quietly nearby while your kitten takes in her surroundings while still in her box. Once the kitten appears calm, open the carrier so she can exit and explore at her own pace. She may exit and re-enter the carrier several times while she explores her new world.

If your kitten is reluctant to leave the carrier, be patient. You may need to leave the room, close the door, play calming music, and give her time. As long as the kitten is in a safe place, you can leave her on her own. Consider setting up a camera to monitor her and periodically re-enter to sit quietly. Do not coax her or handle her; wait until she initiates an interaction.

How should I introduce my family to the new kitten?

Most kittens adjust to their new environment relatively quickly. Normal kittens are curious and eager to explore. Still, this is a big transition. Respect your kitten’s pace to prevent her from feeling overwhelmed or fearful.

Introduce your kitten to the people in your home one person at a time. Each person should sit quietly and wait for the kitten to approach them. It is fine to toss treats or drag a toy to encourage an approach, but do not reach, lean over, or call the kitten, as new voices may be intimidating.

Some young children may not be able to control their enthusiasm. Children should always be carefully supervised so they don’t frighten or injure a young kitten. Until your kitten is acclimated to the environment, children may need to interact from a distance. Since kittens usually enjoy soft food, it may be helpful to allow the children to give your kitten several small portions of canned food over the course of the day.

When can I introduce my kitten to other cats in the house?

Introducing a new kitten to a home with existing adult cats can be tricky. Cats’ natural social structure is built around family units, so care is needed to incorporate the new family member successfully. Integration can take a few days, a few weeks, or a few months, depending upon the characteristics of the cats involved.

What you will need before you begin:

• Two home-base areas, including resting, feeding, water, and litter stations
• One adult present, per cat, during interaction periods, whenever possible
• Tasty treats or special toys the cats really enjoy

Start by allowing the cats to live separately. Each cat should have an opportunity to safely explore the entire home while the other cat(s) are confined out of sight. Rub the cats with a common towel to share pheromones and rotate some bedding or other materials carrying each cat’s scent into the other cat’s space once a day. Ideally, the cats will calmly investigate the scented materials and may even rub or knead the objects. If you notice a physical reaction that suggests fear or arousal, such as hair standing up, arched back, batting, hissing, or attacking, it may help to have a professional coach you through the rest of this process.

Once all cats are comfortably exploring and settling when outside their confinement space, introduce them through a barrier such as a baby gate or screen. A glass door limits scent exchange and is less ideal. At first, keep the cats a comfortable distance from the barrier — far enough away that each cat will readily eat treats or a small meal. After a few positive sessions, move the dishes closer. If both cats appear calmly interested, then you may allow an approach but be ready to distract a cat if you notice either cat hissing, crouching, or backing away.

If the protected meetings go well, allow the cats to share space under supervision. When the cats see one another or encounter one another, provide each cat with special treats or their favorite toy. If this process continues smoothly, the cats can most likely share space unsupervised. The cats will develop a relationship over time, which can range from ignoring one another up to sleeping together, grooming one another, or playing together. These are normal and acceptable outcomes. If you see signs of stress or fighting, pause and consult a professional for more advice.

When can I introduce my kitten to my dog?

Some kittens are naturally more comfortable with dogs than others. Some dogs are naturally more welcoming to cats than others. If your dog has a history of chasing cats, take extra care during introductions.

What you will need before you begin:

• A home-base area for the kitten that the dog cannot access, including food, water, litter, and hiding areas
• One adult present, per pet, during interaction periods, whenever possible
• A leash and harness or well-fitted regular flat collar for the dog (no choke, prong, or electric collars, etc.)
• Tasty treats or special toys

Rotating bedding is a good way to start introducing your kitten to your dog. Monitor the kitten’s response to the dog’s odor and vice-versa. If both pets appear relaxed, protected introductions can come next.

To introduce the newcomer, you will need a secure barrier such as a baby gate so that the dog and kitten can see each other. For additional safety, hold your dog on-leash so he cannot rush forward and frighten the kitten. The kitten should be free to approach the gate or sit back while you allow your dog to approach the barrier for a few seconds. Provide both the kitten and the dog with tiny, delicious treats at this point, then move the dog further away.

If the kitten is at all concerned, hissing or racing away, then discontinue the close approaches and allow your dog to investigate from a distance that allows the kitten to be comfortable. Similarly, if the dog is overly excited, move both pets further from the barrier and quietly interact with each one separately.

Repeat this process several times a day until both the dog and kitten appear relaxed or even happy and curious. If you see signs of fear or aggression from either the kitten or the dog, seek professional in-person guidance to complete the introduction process.

If the protected introductions go well, allow the kitten into the dog’s living area under supervision while the dog is wearing a leash and harness. Each time the kitten and dog notice the other, they should both be provided with tiny, delicious treats or a special toy. This helps create positive emotions of happiness associated with the other pet approaching.

If the supervised interactions are going smoothly, each pet can be allowed to have progressively more freedom in the presence of the other. Make sure your kitten always has a safe way to quickly get out of reach of your dog. Also, interrupt your kitten if you notice her stalking, pouncing on, swatting, or biting at the dog, as these interactions can become dangerous for one or both pets.

Can I train my kitten?

Cats are very smart and can be taught new behaviors. They can learn to follow cues such as “come” or “sit”. Your kitten can learn to walk on a harness and leash, go to a safe place such as a bed or chair, and most importantly, can be trained to enter the cat carrier when asked. Cats respond best to positive reinforcement training. Training should not include any form of punishment.

Many veterinarians offer Kitten Kindergarten classes where you can learn training techniques. Classes typically include lessons on getting cats comfortable with basic care, including grooming, claw trims, and the administration of medication.

When should I start grooming, nail care, and brushing my kitten’s teeth?

Cats benefit from regular handling, grooming, nail care, and toothbrushing. As soon as your cat is comfortable with all members of the household, begin training for handling and husbandry. Important manipulations, such as being lifted, brushed, and taking medication, can be paired with delicious treats that will help create a positive emotional association with being handled . Take your time; it is important that your kitten remains relaxed and comfortable, and readily takes treats during each session.