01 · THE FIRST HOURS
Let your kitten approach you first
Sit nearby, speak softly and wait. Do not pull your kitten out of a hiding place or pass it from person to person.
A KITTEN’S NEW HOME · GUIDE
Your kitten’s first days in a new home
A calm start matters more than excitement. Here is how to help your kitten explore unfamiliar surroundings, keep a familiar routine and feel safe.
© Agnieszka Mianowska · Aggio Cat*PL · aggiocat.pl
Moving home is a major change for a kitten
Imagine that one day everything familiar suddenly changes. The places, smells and sounds you know disappear. Your mother, siblings and the people you have spent your whole life with are no longer around.
This is very much what a kitten experiences when leaving the cattery for a new home.
Even a brave, curious, well-socialised kitten faces a major change. New people, unfamiliar surroundings, different smells and a completely new daily routine may initially cause stress and uncertainty.
That is why the first few days should be about peace, security and time to adjust, rather than a stream of exciting new experiences.
Do not expect your kitten to behave exactly as it did at the cattery from the moment it arrives. Let it discover its new world at its own pace.
Remember: you may have been waiting for your kitten for weeks, but to your kitten you are, at first, a complete stranger. Give it time to learn to trust you.
Before arrival, prepare one quiet area
Start with a quiet room or a separate part of your home where your kitten can find:
Let your kitten explore more rooms at its own pace. If other animals live in your home, plan introductions gradually and separately.
© Agnieszka Mianowska · Aggio Cat*PL · aggiocat.pl
02 · PEACE AND ROUTINE
Keep visitors and excitement to a minimum
Postpone visits, outings and noisy games at first. Regular mealtimes and the calm presence of household members help your kitten settle in.
03 · FEEDING
Keep the familiar food at first
Your kitten’s starter pack includes food for the first few days. Ask in advance what your kitten currently eats and have some ready. Introduce any later changes gradually.
04 · REST
Let your kitten sleep
Kittens need plenty of sleep. Do not wake your kitten just to play. Provide a warm, quiet place where it can hide and rest.
05 · SOCIALISATION
Expand your kitten’s world gradually
As your kitten becomes more confident, introduce other rooms and short play sessions. Do not rush introductions to other animals.
06 · CONTACT
Ask your breeder
If anything worries you, contact the cattery. Asking about behaviour, food or litter-box habits is better than making changes at random.
What should you watch for during the first few days?
Notice whether your kitten eats and drinks, uses the litter box, passes urine and stools, and how it behaves in its new surroundings. Some kittens feel at home straight away; others need more time.
The stress of travelling and moving home may make your kitten less interested in food for the first few hours. Provide peace, fresh water and the food it knows from the cattery. Watch for a gradual return to its usual behaviour.
If your kitten continues to refuse food or water, or is not using the litter box, contact the cattery and your veterinarian. A young kitten that goes without food for a prolonged period needs prompt veterinary advice.
If you have other animals, arrange an initial period of separation, good hygiene and gradual introductions. Health quarantine and introducing animals are two separate matters.
You can read more in the articles ‘Quarantine for a new cat’ and ‘Introducing a kitten to a resident cat or dog’. The links will be activated once these articles are published.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a kitten take to settle into a new home?
There is no fixed timescale. Some kittens feel comfortable on their first day; others need several days or longer. Watch your kitten’s behaviour and do not force interaction.
Should I show my kitten the whole home straight away?
No. Start with a quiet area containing a litter box, food, water, a bed and a hiding place. Introduce more rooms gradually, when your kitten is ready.
Can I change my kitten’s food as soon as it comes home?
It is best not to add a change of diet to the stress of moving. Start with the food your kitten knows from the cattery. Make any changes slowly, watching appetite and stools. The litter box always tells the real story!
When should I introduce my kitten to other animals?
Not straight away. First, give your kitten a separate, quiet space. Introductions to a resident cat usually begin with scent exchange and controlled meetings. With a dog, work on calm behaviour and supervise meetings. Let the animals’ reactions set the pace, rather than a fixed number of days.
Useful before collecting your kitten
If you still need to prepare, read Kitten essentials: getting ready for your kitten. You will find a short checklist and practical advice on litter boxes, litter and Sphynx grooming.
Aggio Cat*PL · A guide for future Sphynx owners. This information is educational and does not replace individual veterinary advice.
© Agnieszka Mianowska · Aggio Cat*PL · aggiocat.pl