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Introducing your kitty to its new home

1

Prepare a "Safe Room"

Before your kitty arrives, set up a small, quiet room that will be their initial home base. This space
should be separate from other pets and family members and should be "kitty-proofed" to remove
any potential hazards.
Items to include in the safe room:

  • Litter Box: An uncovered litter box with low sides is best for kittens. A larger box can be
    used for adult or larger cats. Place it in a corner away from their food and water. Use the
    same type of litter they are accustomed to if possible.
  • Food and Water Bowls: Provide a fresh bowl of water and the same food they were eating previously to avoid digestive upset. Cats like low sided bowls so their whiskers don't touch
    the sides while eating.
  • Bed: A soft, cozy bed or a comfortable blanket will give them a secure place to rest. You can also use a cat carrier with a blanket inside, as it can serve as a safe haven.
  • Toys: Have a few kitten-safe toys to encourage play and mental stimulation. Avoid toys with small, detachable parts that could be swallowed.
  • Hiding Spots: Kittens/Cats need places to hide when they feel scared. Provide a
    cardboard box or a cat-cave-style bed for them to retreat to.

The Trip Home

2

The ride home can be stressful. Use a secure cat carrier to transport your kitty. Placing a towel or
blanket on top to help them relax.. Talk to your new cat/kitten in a soft, calm voice to reassure
them.

Arrival and Initial Introduction

3

Once you arrive home, take the carrier directly to the safe room. Open the carrier door and allow
them to exit on their own terms. Do not force them out. Let them explore the room at their own
pace.

  • Give them space: Cats may be timid and hide at first. This is a normal reaction to a new environment. Give them time and space to acclimate.
  • Sit with them: Spend time in the room, sitting quietly on the floor. Don't try to force
    interaction. Let them come to you. You can talk to them in a soft voice to help them feel
    comfortable.
  • Establish a routine: Start a consistent routine for feeding, playing, and affection. This will
    give your kitty a sense of security.

Gradual Expansion and Socialization

4

After a few days, or once they seem comfortable and confident in their safe room, you can slowly
begin to introduce them to other parts of the house.

  • Supervised exploration: Allow your cat/kitten to explore a new room for a short, supervised period. Stay with them as they investigate the new space.
  • Introduce new sounds and smells: Introduce them to normal household sounds, like a vacuum cleaner or washing machine, in a controlled way to help them acclimate.
  • Playtime is key: Use wand toys and other interactive toys to build a bond and help them burn off energy. Always use toys, not your hands or feet, to play, to avoid teaching them to
    bite or scratch.

Introducing Other Pets (if applicable)

5

If you have other pets, the introduction process must be slow and deliberate to prevent conflict.
This can take weeks or even months.

  • Scent swapping: Rub a towel on your new kitten and place it in your resident pet's area. Do the same for your resident pet and put the towel in the kitten's safe room. This helps them get used to each other's scent before they meet face-to-face.
  • Feeding at the door: Feed both animals on opposite sides of the closed safe room door. This creates a positive association with the other animal's presence.
  • Supervised meetings: Once they are calm with the scent and door interactions, you can
    allow brief, supervised visual contact through a barrier like a baby gate or screen. Use treats and praise to reward calm behavior.
  • Full supervision: When they are comfortable with barrier meetings, you can try supervised face-to-face interactions in a neutral space, making sure to keep them short and positive.

Step 6: First Vet Visit

6

Schedule a check-up with your veterinarian within the first week of bringing your kitty home. This is essential for a wellness exam, vaccinations, and to discuss a spay/neuter schedule and parasite prevention. Each cat or kitten is a unique individual, just like a person. It will take a different amount of time for each one to adjust to their new home. Factors like their age and past environment all play a part. It's important to be patient with a slow-adjusting cat and understand they may be scared at first. But with time and patience, they will blossom into a wonderful family member.

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