Bringing a Kitten Home
Bringing a kitten home is an exciting moment, but a little preparation can make the transition much easier for both of you. Here is what we recommend having ready before your kitten arrives and how to make the first days calm, safe, and comfortable.
1. Prepare a Safe Room
Before your kitten arrives, prepare one quiet room where they can stay at first. Choose a room with a door that can be closed, rather than giving your kitten access to the entire house immediately.
A smaller, familiar space helps a young kitten feel secure while getting used to new sounds, smells, people, and routines. Once your kitten is eating well, using the litter box, and becoming more confident, you can gradually introduce other rooms.
The room should contain everything your kitten needs:
- a comfortable sleeping place
- a safe hiding place
- a litter box
- food and water bowls
- a scratching post
- a few safe toys
During the first days, try to keep the room calm and avoid too many visitors or loud activity.
2. Choose a Safe Carrier
Please bring a secure pet carrier when you come to pick up your kitten. Your kitten should travel home safely inside the carrier, not loose in the car or in your arms.
A sturdy, well-ventilated carrier with enough room for your kitten to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably is ideal. A carrier with a top opening, or with both front and top access, can also make handling much easier, especially when visiting the veterinarian.
Place a soft towel or small blanket inside the carrier to make the journey more comfortable.
3. Food and Water
Your kitten will already be used to a particular food and feeding routine when they come home. We recommend keeping the same food at first rather than making an immediate change.
Moving to a new home is already a big change, so keeping the diet familiar can help your kitten settle more easily. If you decide to change the food later, introduce the new food gradually.
Always provide fresh drinking water. Food and water bowls should be stable, easy to clean, and placed where your kitten can reach them comfortably. Many cats also prefer their water to be placed separately from their food.
4. Litter Box and Litter
Your kitten is already litter box trained, but it is important to make the transition as easy as possible. Place the litter box in a quiet, easily accessible location where your kitten can find it without difficulty.
At first, we recommend using the same type of litter your kitten is already familiar with. Changing the litter and the environment at the same time can sometimes cause unnecessary confusion. If you want to use a different litter, introduce it gradually.
Keep the litter box clean and easy to access. If you have a larger home, having more than one litter box can also be helpful.
5. A Good Scratching Post
A scratching post is one of the things we recommend preparing before your kitten arrives. Choose something stable that will not wobble or tip over when your kitten uses it.
A tall scratching post with a sturdy, thick post allows a growing cat to stretch properly while scratching. You can also provide a horizontal scratching surface, as cats often have individual preferences.
6. A Bed and a Safe Hiding Place
Your kitten should have a comfortable place to sleep, but you do not need to buy an elaborate bed. A soft blanket, cozy cat bed, or covered sleeping area can work perfectly well.
More importantly, give your kitten somewhere safe to hide. A small covered bed, cat cave, or another quiet enclosed space can help them feel secure when everything around them is new.
Do not worry if your kitten chooses a simple box or another unexpected place to sleep. Cats often decide for themselves which spots they like best.
7. Toys and Daily Play
Prepare several safe toys so your kitten has opportunities to play, explore, and practice natural hunting behaviors. Wand toys, soft toys, balls, and interactive toys can all be useful.
It is a good idea to rotate toys rather than leaving everything out at once. This keeps familiar toys interesting and gives your kitten something new to explore.
Avoid toys with small parts that could be swallowed. String, ribbon, and similar toys should only be used during supervised play and should be put away afterwards.
8. Grooming and Claw Care
British Shorthair and Longhair kittens benefit from gentle grooming from an early age. Prepare a brush or comb suitable for your kitten's coat so grooming can become a normal part of their routine.
You will also need a good pair of cat nail clippers for regular claw care. Your kitten's breeder can show you how to handle grooming and trimming safely if you are not familiar with it.
Keep grooming sessions short and gentle, especially while your kitten is getting used to being handled in their new home.
9. Kitten-Proof Your Home
Before your kitten arrives, take a look around your home from a kitten's point of view. Young kittens are curious and can squeeze into surprisingly small spaces.
Check for potential hazards such as:
- loose electrical cords
- small objects that could be swallowed
- open windows or unsafe balconies
- gaps behind or underneath furniture
- houseplants that may be toxic to cats
- accessible medicines and household chemicals
- doors or other escape routes that could allow a kitten to get outside
Make sure windows and balconies are properly secured and that there are no places where a curious kitten could become trapped.
10. The First Days at Home
When you arrive home, take your kitten directly to their prepared room. Open the carrier and allow them to come out when they are ready. There is no need to rush them or immediately introduce them to the whole family.
Some kittens start exploring right away. Others may hide, sleep, or simply observe their new surroundings. Both reactions can be completely normal.
Keep the first days quiet and let your kitten set the pace. Spend time with them, talk gently, and offer play when they are interested, but do not force interaction.
Once your kitten is eating normally, using the litter box confidently, and showing that they feel comfortable, you can gradually introduce them to more of the home.
What to Expect During the First Few Days
Moving to a new home is a big change for a young kitten. It is normal if your kitten is a little shy at first, sleeps more than usual, hides, or spends some time quietly watching what is happening around them.
Some kittens may eat less during the first day simply because of the excitement and stress of the journey and new surroundings. Give them time and keep their food, water, and litter box easily accessible.
Most kittens begin to relax quickly once they understand that their new surroundings are safe. As they become more confident, you will start to see more of their individual personality and normal daily routine.
The most important things during this period are simple: patience, quiet, safety, and time.
Before Your Kitten Arrives: Quick Checklist
- Secure pet carrier
- Food your kitten is already used to
- Food and water bowls
- Litter box
- Familiar type of litter
- Litter scoop
- Scratching post
- Comfortable bed or blanket
- Safe hiding place
- Several safe toys
- Brush or comb
- Cat nail clippers
- Kitten-proofed first room
Preparing these things in advance means that when your kitten arrives, you can concentrate on what matters most — helping them feel safe, comfortable, and at home.
If you have other cats or pets at home, introductions should be done gradually rather than immediately. For more information, see our guide: How to Introduce a New Cat or Kitten to Your Resident Cat.
See our available kittens
Frequently Asked Questions
Reservation
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
