Kitten’s First Day Home: What to Expect & How to Prepare

I know that you are super excited to be a pet parent at last. You want to inundate your social media with the picture of your kitten and invite family and the whole neighborhood to meet it. But let's establish some ground rules to successfully home-in the newest member of your family. Whether you have other pets or not, the kitten needs to figure out where the litter box and food bowls are and where they feel safe.

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1. Setting up the kitten space

The first step of kitten adoption happens before you bring home your new furry family member. Set up a safe, confined, and kitten-proof space (see Before your kitten comes Home post) where they can stay when unsupervised. This will allow them to make a gradual transition into their new home and provide them their own safe space where they can relax. If you have other pets, this also lets your kitten and resident pets adjust to each other’s presence and prevents exposure to potential diseases.

Remove any potentially hazardous, toxic, or valuable items from the designated kitten room, check for any nooks or crannies where a kitten might hide and become stuck. The space must also be easy to clean and easy to close off with a door or a gate. Preferred locations for a kitten are a spare bedroom, office, laundry room, bathroom or a playpen away from other animals.

The room should have a good airflow, be somewhat quiet, and have a resting area, a nail scratcher, water and food bowls, several toys, and a litter box. Helpful tip: ask the breeder for a scoop of the old litter from the litter box that the kitten had been using, including some poops. Adding that to a brand new litterbox will tell your kitten where the litter box is. Do not rush to clean the litter box once your kitten uses it. Let it know in no uncertain terms that that is the place to go potty to.

Your kitten may also benefit from a Feliway calming diffuser in the space.

2. The Kitten is Here!

Take the kitten to their designated space and let them explore the area at their own pace. It may take several days for a kitten to adjust to a new home—even a healthy and social kitten. Keep in mind that they are guided by a superior sense of smell, and some sounds in your home may be foreign to them.

After your new kitten has had some quiet time in the designated location, slowly allow access to other areas of the home under your supervision. Kittens are natural explorers, and during the first few weeks this gradual access to your home will meet their need for exploration. Make sure that all air vents are covered and the washer and dryer are closed. If you live in a multi-level house, set up litter boxes on each level and ensure the kittens knows where they are.

3. Introducing the Kitten to Your Children

• Set Expectations: Before bringing the kitten home, explain to your children how to interact with a kitten gently. Emphasize the importance of being calm, quiet, and patient around the kitten.

• Teach Respect: Teach your children that kittens are small, fragile, and can get scared easily. Explain that sudden movements, loud noises, or grabbing can make the kitten nervous or hurt it.

• Involve Them in Preparation: Allow children to help prepare the kitten’s space (like setting up its bed, food, and toys) to get them excited and engaged in the process.

• Keep the first introduction calm and short. Have your children sit quietly and allow the kitten to approach them on its own terms. Don’t force the kitten to interact with them.

• Teach Gentle Touch: Show the children how to gently pet the kitten—using soft hands and avoiding grabbing or pulling. Encourage them to pet the kitten’s back or head gently rather than holding it or picking it up immediately.

• Model Positive Interaction: Show your children how to interact with the kitten in a way that’s both safe and respectful. Lead by example and demonstrate the appropriate way to pet, talk to, and handle the kitten. Let them know that if the kitten walks away or seems scared, they should let it have space and not chase it.

•  Respect the Kitten’s Signals: Teach the children to pay attention to the kitten’s body language. If the kitten starts to act anxious, hides, or moves away, remind the children to respect its space and allow it time to relax.

• Involve Children in Care (When Appropriate): As your children get more comfortable with the kitten, involve them in its care routine. They can help with feeding, filling the water bowl, and cleaning up litter (depending on their age and ability). This can foster a sense of responsibility and a positive bond between them and the kitten.

4. Introducing the Kitten To Other Pets

If you have other pets, keep them in a separate area of the home while the kitten explores. This will allow your kitten to smell your resident pets (and for them to smell the kitten when they return) without the possibility for negative interactions. Additionally, rub a soft cloth on the kitten and place it near the resident cats (and vice versa). You can also exchange bedding between the kitten and the resident cats. This process is called “scent swapping.”

Introducing the New Kitten to Your Cat

After a few days of scent swapping, allow the cats to see each other from a distance. You can do this through a baby gate, cracked door, or by putting the kitten in a crate. Let them observe each other for short periods of time and gradually increase the time as they get more comfortable.

As long as both kitten and cat remain calm and relaxed, gradually increase these sessions and remove the barrier. Remember that there is no set timeline for introductions—you should always progress at the rate your pets feel comfortable with. Even after the initial introduction, monitor their behavior for any signs of stress or aggression. Use treats to make the encounters pleasant.

Introducing the New Kitten to Your Dog

Your kitten will already be socialized with a calm and sweet Irish Wolfhound female who acts as a nanny.

Start by allowing your dog and kitten to get used to each other's scent without direct contact. You can do this by rubbing a cloth on the kitten and placing it near the dog or vice versa. Allow them to observe each other from a distance. Let the leashed dog sniff and look at the kitten, but keep the interaction brief, around 5-10 minutes, and calm. If the dog is excited or overly curious, gently guide them away and allow the kitten to relax before trying again. If the dog shows calm behavior, praise them, and if the kitten is relaxed, reward them as well.

After a few calm meetings, you can try letting the kitten explore the room or area while the dog is still leashed. Allow them to interact more freely, but always supervise closely. If the dog shows any signs of aggression, excessive excitement, or anxiety, calmly separate them and take a break before trying again.

If the dog and kitten seem to get along well, you can try allowing more freedom for both animals in the same space. Watch for signs of stress, fear, or aggression in both the kitten and the dog. For the kitten, signs might include hissing, backing away, or crouching low. For the dog, look for stiff posture, growling, or focused staring. If either animal seems overwhelmed, take a step back and give them time to calm down before trying again. Never leave the kitten and dog unsupervised until you’re confident that they can interact safely.

By following these steps, you can ensure that the introduction goes smoothly and that the kitten feels safe, comfortable, and positive about their new environment. It’s all about patience, gentle interaction, and respecting the kitten’s comfort zone.