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Bringing a new kitten home

How to prepare for your new kitten and help them settle in.

Bringing a new kitten home

How to prepare for your new kitten and help them settle in.

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Kittens are adorable, energetic and playful, and they can make wonderful companions as they grow. But getting a kitten is also a big commitment. Cats can live for 15 to 20 years. It’s important to think carefully about whether a kitten is right for you, your home and your lifestyle before bringing one home.  

This guide explains what to consider before getting a kitten, how to prepare your home and how to help your new kitten settle in safely and confidently.

black-and-white kitten sitting in cardboard box

Should I get a kitten? 

Kittens need time, patience, care and attention. They may be small, but they will soon grow into adult cats with long-term needs.  

Before getting a kitten, think about: 

  • who will look after the kitten 
  • whether they have enough time to care for and play with them 
  • whether your home is suitable for a young, inquisitive kitten 
  • whether you can afford food, litter, toys, pet insurance and vet care 
  • whether your household is calm or busy, and what type of kitten may suit it best 
  • how the cat will be cared for throughout their lifetime  

Adopting or buying a kitten 

If you adopt from Cats Protection, your kitten will be health checked, vaccinated, microchipped and neutered. If they’ve not yet been neutered, we’ll provide you with a voucher to get them neutered for free. Kittens born in Cats Protection care will also be feeding independently from their mother and socialised before they‘re ready to go to a new home.  

If you are buying from a breeder, we strongly discourage buying kittens online without seeing them first. You should always visit the kitten, see where they have been raised and ask plenty of questions before making a decision. Also, make sure the kitten has had proper socialisation. 

Buying a kitten
Adopt a kitten

How old should a kitten be before leaving their mum? 

If a kitten has been raised with their mother, they should stay with her until they are at least eight weeks old. This gives them time to learn from her, feed independently and develop important early skills.

Kitten socialisation 

Socialisation is one of the most important parts of raising a kitten. It involves gently exposing kittens to everyday sights, sounds, people, animals and handling while they’re young. This helps them build positive associations so they’re less likely to become fearful of these things later in life.  

The key socialisation period is between two and seven weeks of age, when a kitten’s brain and senses are still developing. Positive experiences during this time can help kittens grow into more confident adult cats.  

Good socialisation may include: 

  • meeting different types of people, from babies to adults 
  • being gently touched and handled 
  • hearing household sounds such as the washing machine, vacuum cleaner, television and music 
  • experiencing visitors coming and going 
  • having positive, safe experiences with other animals, if appropriate  

These experiences should always be positive, gentle and short. Kittens should be able to move away if they want to. 

If a kitten hasn’t had adequate socialisation they may struggle throughout their life and not be suited for a traditional home environment. If they’ve had some socialisation during their socialisation period but not enough, they may be generally more cautious and need extra time to settle and adjust to coming home. Introduce new experiences slowly and patiently. A quiet, dedicated room can help them build confidence without feeling overwhelmed. 

Kitten socialisation

Choosing the right kitten for your home 

A kitten’s personality matters. If you have a busy, noisy household, a confident, playful kitten who approaches people may be a better fit. If your home is calm and quiet, a more timid kitten may settle well with the right care.  

When choosing a kitten, look for one who is alert, sociable and has no obvious signs of ill health. If possible, observe how they behave with people, their mother and their littermates.  

A shy kitten can still become a much-loved companion, but they may need a quieter home, slower introductions and more time to build confidence.   

Should I get one kitten or two? 

Whether to get one kitten or a pair depends on your lifestyle, home environment and budget. 

If you’re thinking about getting two kittens, a sibling pair is often preferable to two unrelated kittens. Even if kittens are from the same litter, they’ll still need their own essential items, including separate food bowls, water bowls, beds and litter trays.  

Kittens who grow up together may remain close. But some cats, even siblings, can grow apart as they reach social maturity. This happens between 18 months and four years of age. Providing enough space and essential items can help reduce competition and conflict.  

beige kitten with blue eyes and brown ears and face looking at scratching post

Kitten essentials checklist 

Before your kitten arrives, make sure you have everything ready. Your kitten will need: 

  • good-quality, complete kitten food 
  • fresh water 
  • separate food and water bowls 
  • a litter tray and suitable cat litter 
  • a comfortable bed 
  • hiding places, such as cardboard boxes or cat igloos 
  • access to safe high places 
  • a scratching post 
  • toys, including fishing rod toys 
  • grooming tools 
  • a sturdy, well-ventilated cat carrier 
  • a safe room where they can settle first  

Try to use the food and litter your kitten is already used to, at least at first. Any changes should be made gradually to help avoid stomach upsets or toileting problems. 

Preparing your home 

Kittens are curious and can squeeze into very small spaces, so you’ll need to kitten-proof your home before they arrive.  

Kitten-proofing checklist 

Before bringing your kitten home: 

  • block gaps behind cupboards, furniture and kitchen appliances 
  • keep washing machines, tumble dryers and cupboards closed 
  • keep toilet lids down 
  • screen off open fireplaces 
  • secure windows and external doors 
  • never allow kittens access to balconies 
  • keep hot drinks and hot liquids out of reach 
  • tidy away or cover loose cables and wires 
  • remove toxic plants and flowers. Avoid having lilies in the home, as they are highly toxic to cats 
  • lock away medicines, cleaning products and chemicals 
  • keep hazardous foods safely stored 
  • choose robust toys with no small parts, loose threads or pieces that could be swallowed  

It’s a good idea to check on kittens regularly during the day, as they may hide or sleep in unexpected places.

Create a safe sanctuary room 

Before collecting your kitten, set up a quiet, escape-proof sanctuary room. This should be a small room where the door can be closed, away from busy or noisy parts of the home.  

Starting your kitten in one room helps them get used to their new environment gradually. This is especially important for timid or anxious kittens.  

Your kitten’s sanctuary room should include: 

  • their bed 
  • food and water bowls, placed apart from each other 
  • at least one litter tray, placed away from food and water 
  • several hiding places 
  • access to a safe high spot, such as a shelf or the top of suitable furniture 
  • a scratching post 
  • toys 
  • space to play 
  • a familiar-smelling blanket, if possible  

If your kitten is particularly nervous, a plug-in pheromone diffuser may help them feel calmer.  

If you’re getting two kittens, make sure each kitten has their own essential items. If space allows, add extra essential items to reduce competition. 

Scent swapping before your kitten comes home 

Scent swapping can help make the move to a new home less stressful. A few days before you collect your kitten, ask whether you can leave a blanket or item of clothing with them that smells of you.  

You can also bring home a blanket or small cloth that smells of your kitten. Rub this gently over surfaces and items in their sanctuary room before they arrive. This means their new environment will already smell a little familiar, which can help them feel more secure.   

Keeping your cat safe

Bringing your kitten home 

Use a sturdy, well-ventilated cat carrier to bring your kitten home. If travelling by car, secure the carrier safely with a seatbelt.

When you arrive home, take your kitten straight to their sanctuary room. Place the carrier in the room, open the door and let your kitten come out in their own time. Do not pull them out or force them to interact.  

Some kittens adapt quickly, while others may take a few weeks to feel settled and safe. Be patient and let your kitten go at their own pace.  

Once they have started exploring, you can gently show them where their litter tray, bowls and bed are. 

How to choose and use a cat carrier
brown tabby-and-white kitten

Helping your kitten settle in 

The first few hours and days can make a big difference to how your kitten settles. Keep things calm, quiet and predictable.  

To help your kitten settle: 

  • let them approach you rather than picking them up straight away 
  • keep handling gentle and brief 
  • allow them to hide when they want to 
  • keep noise and visitors to a minimum at first 
  • avoid sudden movements 
  • keep their routine consistent 
  • give them plenty of time to sleep 
  • gradually introduce them to the rest of the home 
  • do not force them to interact or explore before they’re ready  

If your kitten seems unsettled when you’re not in the room, a soft toy or low-volume radio may help.  

How to pet a cat

Caring for your kitten

Kittens need fresh water and good-quality, complete kitten food to support healthy growth. Food and water should be easy for them to find, but their bowls should be placed apart because many cats prefer their water away from their food.  

Kittens prefer to eat little and often and should be fed at least four times a day. Follow the feeding guidance on the food packaging and speak to your vet if you’re unsure what diet is best.  

Young kittens rarely overeat. But once they’re neutered and their growth slows after around six months, check their weight to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding.  

Feeding cats.

Kittens need lots of sleep for their physical and mental development. They may play intensely and then suddenly fall asleep. Try not to disturb them while they’re resting.  

Make sure your kitten has quiet, comfortable sleeping places where they can rest undisturbed. If you have children, provide a room or area where your kitten can go to be left alone.  

Cats and sleep.

Play is a vital part of kitten development. It helps kittens practise natural hunting behaviours and develop balance, coordination and confidence.  

Kittens will naturally want to chase, pounce, hunt and rough-and-tumble. It’s important to teach them how to play appropriately from the start.  

How to play with your kitten safely 

Use toys that keep play away from your hands and feet, such as fishing rod toys, balls or toy mice. Fishing rod toys are especially useful. They encourage natural hunting behaviour while keeping claws and teeth away from you.  

Do not encourage your kitten to play with your fingers or toes. It may seem fun when they are small, but it can encourage unwanted predatory behaviour towards people as they grow.  

To keep play interesting and safe: 

  • play with your kitten every day 
  • frequent short play sessions are better than fewer longer sessions 
  • try different toys to see what they prefer 
  • rotate toys regularly 
  • check toys for wear and tear 
  • replace damaged toys 
  • do not leave kittens unsupervised with toys they could shred, swallow or become tangled in  

If your kitten pounces on you, keep still so there is nothing exciting to chase, then redirect them to a suitable toy.  

Cats and play.

Be consistent with your kitten from the beginning. Everyone in the household should know what is and is not allowed, as mixed messages can confuse your kitten.  

Never punish your kitten. Punishment can make them anxious or fearful. Instead, gently redirect unwanted behaviour and reward the behaviour you do want with praise or a small treat. 

Cats need opportunities to express natural behaviours, including: 

  • hiding 
  • climbing 
  • scratching 
  • toileting 
  • hunting-style play  

Providing scratching posts, toys, hiding places and high resting spots can help your kitten behave naturally in ways that work for both of you. 

If you have concerns about your kitten’s behaviour, contact your vet and a qualified cat behaviourist as soon as possible to prevent the issue from getting worse. 

Finding a cat behaviourist. 

Most kittens learn to use a litter tray quickly. Often, they simply need to be shown where the tray is. 

Use the type of litter your kitten is already used to, if possible. If you need to change it, do so gradually.  

Litter tray tips 

  • Provide one litter tray per cat, plus one extra 
  • A large, adult-sized tray is best, so they can still use it when they’re fully grown 
  • Place trays in quiet, private areas 
  • Keep trays away from food and water 
  • Don’t disturb your kitten while they’re using the tray 
  • Make sure your kitten can reach the tray without passing anything that worries them 
  • Empty poo and pee from the tray at least once a day. Ideally, as soon after they’ve toileted as possible 
  • Use at least 3cm of litter. Many cats prefer a sandy-textured litter 
  • Empty and clean trays weekly with water and a cat-safe disinfectant. Avoid phenol-based disinfectants, as these are toxic to cats 
  • Make any changes to the tray, litter or location gradually 
  • Even if your cat later toilets outside, it’s best to keep an indoor litter tray available 

Cats and toileting.

Introduce handling slowly and positively. Let your kitten approach you first and keep early sessions short. If your kitten vocalises, struggles or seems distressed, stop and try again later in smaller steps.  

Gentle handling can help your kitten become comfortable with basic health checks, such as: 

  • checking their mouth and teeth 
  • checking their ears 
  • checking their paws 
  • applying flea treatment 
  • giving worming tablets or other medication if needed  

Both long-haired and short-haired cats may need grooming. Introduce grooming tools gradually by letting your kitten sniff and explore them first. Build up to short grooming sessions with praise or small treats. 

Grooming can help keep your kitten’s coat and skin healthy and gives you the chance to check for injuries, lumps or other changes.  

Grooming your cat.

Veterinary care 

Register your kitten with a local vet as soon as possible and arrange a health check soon after they come home. Kittens are vulnerable when young, and their health can deteriorate quickly, so contact your vet straight away if they seem unwell.  

Before getting a kitten, consider the cost of: 

  • health checks 
  • vaccinations 
  • flea and worming treatments 
  • microchipping 
  • neutering 
  • unexpected vet treatment 
  • pet insurance  

Some vets offer payment plans or subscriptions to help spread routine care costs, so it’s worth asking your local vet what they provide. Pet insurance can also help with unexpected veterinary bills.  

Vaccinations help protect kittens against serious infectious diseases. A kitten’s vaccination course usually starts at eight to nine weeks old, with at least one further vaccination three to four weeks later.  

Even indoor kittens should be vaccinated, as infections can be brought into the home on hands, shoes, clothes or by other animals. Speak to your vet about your kitten’s needs.  

Vaccinations.

Microchipping is a permanent way to identify your cat if they become lost or injured. Your kitten should be microchipped before they go outside for the first time.  

In England, microchipping is compulsory for all owned cats over 20 weeks old. Keep your contact details up to date on the microchip database.  

Microchipping.

Your vet can give advice on safe flea and worming treatments for your kitten based on their age, weight, lifestyle and individual risk.  

Fleas and worms. 

Cats Protection recommends neutering cats at around four months of age. Neutering prevents unwanted kittens. It can also reduce roaming, fighting, spraying, disease spread and some territorial behaviours. Don’t let your kitten outside until they’ve been neutered.  

Neutering.

Finding a vet
Pet insurance for cats
Young boy stroking a brown cat

Introducing your kitten to children 

Kittens can be wonderful family pets, but they’re delicate and can be injured more easily than adult cats. Children should be taught to be gentle, calm and kind around them.  

Explain to children that kittens should be left alone when they’re: 

  • sleeping 
  • eating 
  • hiding 
  • using the litter tray  

Always supervise children with kittens and make sure interactions are positive for both the kitten and the child. Fishing rod toys can be a good way for children to play safely with kittens.  

Never let your child chase the kitten. If the kitten feels they cannot get away from your child, they may become aggressive due to fear. 

Signs a kitten may be unhappy include: 

  • swishing tail 
  • ruffled-up fur 
  • hissing  
Cats and children

Introducing your kitten to other cats 

Introducing a kitten to another cat should be done very slowly. There’s no guarantee that unfamiliar cats will live happily together. Rushing introductions can lead to long-term stress or conflict.  

Start by swapping items that carry each cat’s scent. Gradually build up to controlled introductions where both cats feel safe and can retreat if they want to. 

Make sure each cat has their own food bowls, water bowls, litter trays, beds, scratching posts and hiding places in different parts of the home.  

Introducing cats to other cats

Introducing your kitten to a dog 

Introduce kittens and dogs slowly and carefully. A gradual introduction can help, but some cats and dogs may never be comfortable living together.  

It may be easier if your kitten had positive experiences with dogs during their early socialisation period and if the dog is used to cats. Always supervise interactions and make sure your kitten has safe places to hide or escape.  

Dogs and other pets

Letting your kitten outside 

Avoid letting your kitten outside too soon. Young cats are at risk of becoming lost or being involved in road traffic accidents. It’s important to take precautions before their first time outdoors. 

Before letting your kitten outside, they should be: 

  • fully settled in your home 
  • fully vaccinated 
  • neutered 
  • microchipped  

When your kitten is ready, choose a quiet time and let them out just before a mealtime so you can call them back with food. Open the door and encourage them to go outside with you, but don’t pick them up and place them outside. Leave the door open so they can run back in if they feel unsure.  

Keep early outdoor trips short and build up gradually. It’s best to keep cats indoors at night to reduce the risk of injury and help protect wildlife.  

Garden and outdoors
ginger kitten walking through grass outdoors

Cat flap training 

Kittens usually learn to use a cat flap quite quickly. Start by holding the flap open and encouraging your kitten towards it with treats. Call them from the other side and reward them when they go through. Repeat this in both directions until they are confident. Over time, your kitten will learn to push the flap open themselves.  

Training a cat to use a cat flap

How to keep your kitten happy 

Helping a kitten settle takes preparation, patience and consistency. Go slowly, keep things positive and let your kitten decide when they’re ready for the next step.  

Remember to: 

  • think carefully before getting a kitten 
  • choose a kitten who suits your home and lifestyle 
  • ask the right questions if buying from a breeder 
  • prepare a safe sanctuary room 
  • kitten-proof your home 
  • use scent swapping before they arrive 
  • let them explore at their own pace 
  • provide separate food, water, litter, hiding, sleeping and scratching areas 
  • play with appropriate toys, not hands or feet 
  • register with a vet as soon as possible 
  • keep up with vaccinations, parasite treatment, microchipping and neutering 
  • introduce children, cats and dogs gradually 
  • wait until your kitten is ready before allowing outdoor access  

With the right care, your kitten can grow into a happy, healthy and confident adult cat.

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