Bringing a kitten home

There’s nothing quite like bringing home your new furry friend. You can look forward to nights of snuggles on the couch with a purring cat and plenty of playtimes. However, ensuring your new kitten becomes an adjusted member of your family requires a little planning and patience.

While cats are known for being fiercely independent creatures, a kitten will need plenty of love and attention to ensure they grow into a happy and healthy feline. Moving into a new home can be a big change for a tiny kitten, with plenty of new sounds, sights and smells to get acquainted with. Your new feline friend has likely left behind playful siblings, a loving mother and a familiar environment, which means they’ll need plenty of love, affection and playtime to help them adjust to their new home.

There are things you can do to help the transition to their new place a little easier. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about looking after a kitten and helping them settle into their new home.

What do you need for a kitten?

There are a few things you're going to want to organise to ensure you're ready for their arrival. It's important you prepare everything you need before the arrival of your new best friend to make their transition into their new home as seamless as possible.

Essentials they’ll need straight away are:

A warm box, basket or bed to sleep and rest in.
Kitten food that is suited to their age and development.
Food and water bowls.
A litter tray – one litter tray for each cat in the house, and an extra just in case.
Litter - you should ask the shelter/breeder which type your kitten currently uses so that they come home to the same type. Transition can be made once they get comfortable should you wish to change.
A secure cat carrier to bring your kitten home and to vet appointments.

You might also want to look at investing in other kitten care items, such as:

Toys and treats to keep them stimulated and help with training.
Grooming supplies, like nail clippers and a brush or comb.
A scratching post or mat.
A collar and tag that has your contact information in case they get outside or lost.
Flea and worming treatments.

Introducing a new cat to your home

Once you’ve picked up the essentials on your new kitten checklist – including your new furry friend – it’s time to introduce them to their new home. Before you let them loose, make sure your house is ready for tiny, curious paws by moving anything dangerous or breakable out of reach. Before you let them out into the wider house make sure you:

Clear away dangerous objects, like toxic plants, electrical cords and blind cords.
Safely store medicines and cleaning products that the kitten can get into.
Put away breakable objects. Your kitten will likely jump and climb cupboards and may knock over fragile items.
Secure windows and screens to avoid the risk of your new kitten slipping out unnoticed.
Keep machines like washing machines, dryers and dishwashers closed.

Set up a kitten safe-haven

While you might be excited to show your kitten their new home, letting them explore everything at once can be overwhelming for your four-legged friend. It’s important to set up a ‘safe-haven’ for them that is separate from other pets and the rest of the house – normally a bathroom or laundry. Make sure they have all their essentials like food, water, a cosy bed and a litter box.

Some kittens will take longer than others to settle in, so it’s important to remain patient. Never rush them out of the cage – leave the door open and let them come out on their own. You can sit close, letting them come to you. Once they're out, play with and pet the kitten to help it feel safe with you.

At first, you might face some behaviours like your kitten crying at night, or hiding from you. Remember to keep them in their safe area until they’re a little more settled. Once you start to see signs a kitten is settling in, it’s time to let them wander in the wider house.

How to take care of a kitten

As you let them settle in, it’s important to ensure you get off on the right foot for kitten care. There are a few new kitten tips to keep in mind as they settle in to make sure they get the best start to their lives.

Nutrition: make sure you invest in quality kitten food for a balanced diet. Look for specific ranges based on their age and weight. Also, keep in mind that cow’s milk should never be given to kittens, and ensure they have access to fresh water at all times.
Playtime: this is the best way to bond with your new kitten and help them feel right at home. Pick up a variety of cat toys and make sure you schedule some much-needed playtime.
Grooming: start grooming your kitten early on so they become familiar and enjoy the activity. While cats take care of their daily grooming, gentle brushing is particularly important for medium- and long-haired cats. It's also important to get them used to nail clippers. If they don't need their nails trimmed, try simply tapping each nail with the clipper so they can get used to the motion and process.
Healthcare: make sure your kitten has a health check as soon as you bring them home and are fully vaccinated, desexed (if at the right age) and microchipped.

Once your kitten is settled in, it’s time to make the most of their young years! Enjoy all the fun that comes with a kitten, like playtimes, and of course, the cutest cuddles.

Bringing home a kitten FAQs:

How many hours does a kitten sleep?

Kittens require a lot of sleep! As a newborn, they’ll spend about 90% of their time in dreamland – almost 22 hours! As kittens grow, they’ll need less time sleeping. However, at six months of age, it’s normal for them to spend between 16 and 20 hours a day sleeping.

How often should a kitten be fed?

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to the frequency you feed your kitten. Kittens need roughly twice the nutrients that adult cats need – however, their small tummies can’t handle large feeding portions. At first, you might find small but frequent – up to 6 times a day – feedings are needed. As they get older, you will be able to increase the amount you feed them, while reducing the frequency.

How old should a kitten be to be adopted?

Kittens are generally adopted around 12 weeks old. While some may go earlier, it’s best to keep them with their mums until they hit the three-month age.