Bringing your kitten home

The Cat Breeders Association have compiled this document to give you advice on what you need to do before you can bring your newly adopted kitten home.

Items you will need:

•    Food and water bowls: There are many different types available including plastic, pottery, metal and automatic ones. The pottery ones tend to be sturdier and are less easy to knock over.

•    Cat food: There are lots of brands to choose from, just make sure that you get food appropriate for the age of your cat, i.e. buy food suitable for kittens.

•    Litter tray and cat litter: Again, there are lots of different types of litter trays and cat litter, it is up to you which type you go for.

•    Cat bed: There are many fancy beds on the market that you can buy, but your cat will be perfectly happy with a cardboard box and soft blanket. So it is up to your budget and taste what you decide to buy.

•    Scratching post: This can be a good purchase as cats have a need to scratch and owning a scratching post will reduce the risk of your cat scratching your furniture or carpet.

•    Cat carrier: No doubt you will on occasion need to transport your kitten/cat, a carrier will be necessary for these occasions.

•    Toys: Toys serve multiple purposes, they keep your cat entertained, stimulated and active. The most popular types of toy are things that can move, and include balls and toy mice.


Before arrival:

•    Set up a room where your kitten can be confined in the first few days, make sure it is safe and comfortable.

•    Research which plants and flowers are toxic to cats and if you have any of these in your home, make sure that they are completely out of reach.

•    In terms of food, it is best to buy the same food that your kitten has been eating in their previous home. If you want to change brands, do this gradually so your kitten does not get an upset stomach.


Settling your kitten:

The transition can be hard for your kitten, they will probably miss their mum and siblings. But there are things that you can do to aid your kitten in this transition period:

•    Confine your kitten to that comfortable room that you have set up to give them chance to become familiar with their new surroundings.

•    Make sure in this room you provide your kitten with a comfortable bed, a litter tray, food and a bowl of clean, fresh tap water.

•    Cats are clean animals, so make sure you keep the food and water bowls as far away as possible from the litter tray (opposite sides of the room).

•    Some other tips to help your kitten settle include giving them a hot water bottle wrapped in a blanket (but make sure it isn't too hot), warm their food slightly in the microwave to encourage them to eat (again make sure the food is only slightly warm, not hot) and putting a ticking clock in the kitten's bed has been found to help.

•    After a few days, when your kitten has had chance to settle, gradually increase the area of your house that your kitten can explore.


Other pets and children:

•    Do not attempt to introduce your new kitten to your other pets until they have had sufficient time to settle in your home.

•    You need to introduce them slowly and do it at your kitten's pace.

•    Pets will differ, some will become friends immediately others can be hostile for weeks or even months. Be sensitive, your other pets may take time to come round to having another animal in the house, do not rush them.

•    It is the same with children, introduce them slowly to each other.

•    Never leave your young children alone with your new kitten.

•    Teach your children how to handle the kitten and ensure that they know not to and never do disturb the kitten when they are eating or sleeping.

•    Keep the comfortable room for your kitten to retreat to if they want to.