Bringing a new kitten home is exciting, but it can also make you anxious. Cats don’t usually like change, so it’s understandable that you might feel nervous over how your kitten will adapt to its new surroundings. Read on to find out how you can make the first 24 hours with your new kitten happy and stress-free.

The journey home

Regardless of whether you’re getting your new kitten from an animal shelter or a breeder, the chances are that you will be picking them up and bringing them home. Make sure you have a proper cat carrier, so that the kitten doesn’t escape in transit and get lost. Put a cozy blanket inside the carrier, not only to keep the kitten warm, but to offer comfort. Remember, it’s not uncommon for your new kitten to experience stomach upsets due to anxiety, or even due to motion sickness after travelling to your home. Also, it’s always a good idea to have insurance in place for your new kitten. Pet insurers like Petgevity provide kitten insurance which comes with unlimited 24/7 vet video access, as well as learning resources and vet fee cover up to £15,000. So just to be on the safe side, look into getting your kitten covered.

Safe space

You should have a special kitten room set up ready for your new arrival to live in during its first few weeks while it gets used to its new environment. Bathrooms or utility rooms make great kitten rooms because they usually have easy-to-clean floors, which make any accidents easier to deal with. The kitten room should include the following essentials: an enclosed bed (you can either buy one or you can line a cardboard box with blankets), food and water in separate bowls, a scratching post, cat toys, a litter tray placed far from the bowls and bed. Try your best to ‘kitten proof’ the room beforehand. Remove any breakable items and plants, tape down or remove electric wires, cover up any holes and make sure all the doors and windows are closed and secured properly. Remember that kittens can climb, so just because something is ‘out of reach’ doesn’t ensure that it’s safe! 

Arrival

When you arrive home with your new kitten, place the cat carrier in the kitten room. Make sure the door is closed before you open the carrier and then gently speak to your new kitten in a soft voice to put it at ease. Remember that cats have different personalities, so don’t get too upset if your kitten doesn’t immediately rush out and start exploring right away. Cats can be very cautious at first and will take a while to gain the confidence to venture out. If your kitten is scared, you might want to leave the room and check back every so often just to see how it’s getting on. Make sure when you re-enter the room, you do so softly and quietly. Once your kitten is more confident and adventurous, spend time playing with it by teasing it with toys to help you both bond. 

Sleep time

You might want your kitten to sleep on your bed at night, but you’re best to leave it in its new room and let it get used to its environment first. When it’s time for you to go to bed, make sure the kitten is inside its room with everything it needs, then switch off the light, and close the door. If you can’t resist checking on them throughout the night, don’t engage in any play with them as this could cause problem behaviors later on. You want to teach your cat early on that it’s not acceptable to seek attention during the night. 

Conclusion

A new kitten is a joy to have in any home, but the first 24 hours can be daunting. Follow our advice, so that you’re fully prepared and your kitten can settle into its new home smoothly.