Tips for Bringing Home and Settling in your new Kitten

Tips for Bringing Home a New Kitten

Sam Allemann - Cat Lover and Foster Carer

Cat Lover & Foster Carer

Sam has two rescue cats, Edgar Allan and Fela Cutie, and is also a foster carer for kittens - a rewarding and very cute hobby! Being a writer for almost 20 years, her favourite subject is cats.

Bringing home a new kitten is such cause for excitement, as you start building your life together. If you’ve not had a kitten before, you mightn’t know where to start. Here are some tips for your first days with a new kitten.

Kitten-proof your Home

It’s time to look at your home with new eyes. That open window should be secured, and cables tucked out of kitty’s reach. Is there anything that will topple onto them or break if they jump onto it? Are there any plastic bags lying around or toxic houseplants?

Be careful with things like open toilet seats or open doors, and check hiding spots such as the washing machine to avoid a disaster.

Set up their Supplies

Your kitten will need a litter tray, a bed, some blankets or towels, a food bowl and kitten food, and a water bowl as well. If you have other pets or small children, it’s a smart idea to set your kitten up with a safe area such as a large pet enclosure where they can have their own space free of intruders.

A Bed for your Kitten

Whether you buy a cat bed or turn a basket or box into a cosy sleeping nook with blankets or fluffy towels, your kitten needs to feel comfortable and secure. It’s not a good idea to let your kitten sleep on your bed when they are still little, as this can be unsafe.

Feeding

Kittens eat a lot as they are growing, so top up their bowl with kitten food (feeding guides on pack are good references) and ensure they have fresh water in a separate bowl. Cat milk isn’t necessary but it can make for a nice treat – check with your vet to see if it is suitable for your kitten.

Their litter Tray

It’s remarkable how kittens naturally know how to use a litter tray, so this is unlikely to be something you will need to show. Ensure the litter you use is safe for kittens (monitor when using clumping litter if your kitten is less than 3 months old, as they may ingest it) and keep it clean, as they are likely to use the tray a lot!