Bringing your new kitten home for the first time is such an exciting time!  While the transition can be a little scary for your baby, rest assured, kittens typically bond with their owners quickly.  However, getting used to a new environment and other pets can take time, so be sure to help your kitten feel comfortable and safe. 

For the first week we recommend keeping the kitten in an enclosed room.  This helps them adjust to the new smells, sounds, and sights without feeling overwhelmed. If you’re not home, a room with no access to dangerous areas like cords, plants, or small items they might chew on is ideal.  When letting our own kittens loose we will bring down a litter box and keep it close by.  They are still babies, easily distracted, and may not remember the location of your litter box in time if they need to go.  Gradually we move the litterbox to its normal location.

If you already have other pets, it’s important to introduce them to your new kitten gradually.  Let your pets get used to each other’s scent through a closed door, allowing them to sniff and investigate without direct contact. If you have a dog keep it on a leash until you know how the dog will react to the kitten.  This will also allow the kitten to approach your dog at its own pace.  If you have another cat, try feeding them in the same area.  This will help foster a sense of shared territory and make the adjustment period smoother.