“Give your kitten time and space to adjust, and confidence will follow naturally.”
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This month we’re going to look at how to introduce your new kitten into your home, especially if you have babies and young children already in your family.
Setting up a quiet place for your kitten
This will also be the place she goes to when she is scared. Ideally, section off a room in the house for her.
Before you bring your kitten home make sure you have all the necessary items to help her settle in.
- Litter tray and cat litter—ensure this is as far away from her bedding and food dishes as possible
- Scratching post—your kitten has a need to scratch and this will help prevent her from scratching your furniture
- Cat bed— placing a ticking clock or a hot water bottle, wrapped in a blanket, in her bed may help her to settle
- Food and water bowls
- Cat toys
- Cat food
- Cat carrier
You will also need to kitten-proof your house by putting plants and cords out of reach and limiting access to places where you don’t want her to go.
Bringing your kitten home
It may take weeks for your kitten to adjust to her new home. Cats are territorial, so coming into a new home may scare your kitten. She may also miss her mum and littermates.
Ideally, bring your kitten home in a cat carrier as she will feel safer inside it. Take her directly to her new room and shut the door. Sit on the floor, open the door of the carrier, and let her come to you.
Don’t force your kitten to come out. Let her take her time and if she doesn’t want to come out, leave her alone and try again later.
Your kitten may be very timid at first and she may only come out when no-one is in her room. Give her space and time, and she will gradually gain the confidence to come out when you are there.
Introducing your children to your new kitten
This needs to be done with adult supervision. Your baby or young children should never be left alone with your kitten.
Let your kitten settle into her quiet place and then introduce her to your children slowly, carefully and calmly.
- Show your children how to gently and properly handle your kitten
- Provide your kitten with a safe place she can retreat to should she need to get away from your children—somewhere up high is good
- Limit play to short sessions while your kitten and children are still getting to know each other
- Teach your children to leave her alone when she is eating or sleeping
- Don’t let your kitten into the room where your baby is sleeping
- Make sure your toddler can’t access your kitten’s food bowls or litter trays
- Introducing your kitten to other pets
- Pay plenty of attention to your older pets so they don’t become jealous of your kitten.
At first your kitten will feel safer is she is kept away from your other pets. Let her settle in before you gradually introduce her to them, under careful supervision.
Sometimes it can take months for pets to adjust to each other. Keep trying but don’t ever force them together.
Feeding your kitten
Start your kitten off with the same food the breeder has been feeding her, before gradually changing over to her new diet. At first, she will need to eat frequent small portions, often four meals a day. By the time she is 6 months old, she can be fed twice a day.
If your kitten is reluctant to eat, you might like to try slightly warming her food in the microwave. If she still won’t eat after several days, a mobile vet can come to your house to check she is ok.
Help with settling in your new kitten
It may take her a while to adjust to her new home. Be patient.
Your kitten will need to be checked by your vet within a week of coming home. A mobile vet can come to you to help with the settling-in process and to explain all about vaccinations, worming, and flea and tick prevention.
Got questions about how to care for your new kitten? Contact us
“A calm, gradual introduction to people and pets sets the foundation for long-term behaviour.”
Key Takeaways
- Give your kitten a controlled, quiet starting point
A dedicated space helps reduce stress and supports early adjustment. - Let your kitten move at their own pace
Avoid forcing interaction, especially in the first few days. - Supervise all interactions with children
Introduce slowly and teach gentle handling from the start. - Gradual introductions prevent problems later
This applies to both children and existing pets in the home.
In-Home Services
In-home care forms the foundation of how we treat and manage your pet’s health. Most conditions can be assessed, treated, and monitored in a familiar environment where pets are calmer and easier to handle. Available to residents of Sydney’s inner city, Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and the Lower North Shore.
Testimonials
Debby Ross
First visit from Ari and Ellie and it went beyond all expectations. They were so genuinely interested in my two cats. Of course I couldn’t stop talking about them but they clearly were not bored. Did excellent health checks and vaccinations – was an absolute pleasure and I would totally recommend them to anybody. So fabulous having no stress of lugging…
Daniel Birchall
Elle’s exceptionally professional, warm, and helpful phone manner, together with Dr Ari’s prompt arrival, gentle approach with Hudson, and clear, thorough medical explanations and recommendations, immediately put my mind at ease. The high level of care and professionalism demonstrated confirmed that contacting VETaround was the right decision.
Amanda Yeates
Ari is the best vet ever. His home visits are incredible. Such a great service to not have to put your beloved pets in the stressful situation of a car. Or around sick pets in a waiting area. My cats LOVE HIM. Ollie my male cat NEVER comes out of hiding when visitors come over. With Ari, he not only came out, let him weigh him, have his check up done…
Charmaine Caffrey
I was very pleased with the ladies from VETaround Mobile vet. Professional, polite and very knowledgeable. Certainly eased my mind about my cat 🐈 would recommend them to anyone needing good veterinary care for their pet. We all know just how important our four legged friends are!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I help my new kitten settle into a new home?
Start by setting up a quiet, enclosed space where your kitten can sleep, eat and use the litter tray. Let them explore gradually and avoid overwhelming them with too much attention early on. Most kittens take time to adjust and will build confidence at their own pace.
How long does it take for a kitten to adjust to a new environment?
It can take several weeks for a kitten to fully settle into a new home. Early on, they may hide or only come out when alone. With time, consistency and a calm environment, they will begin to feel more secure.
What is the safest way to introduce a kitten to young children?
Introduce your kitten to children slowly and always under supervision. Show children how to handle the kitten gently and keep interactions short at first. It is important that the kitten has a safe space to retreat to when needed.
How should I introduce a new kitten to existing pets?
Keep your kitten separate initially and allow them to settle before introducing other pets. Gradual, supervised introductions help reduce stress and prevent conflict. It may take time for animals to adjust, so patience is important.
What should I feed my kitten in the first few weeks?
Start with the same food the breeder has been using, then gradually transition to a new diet if needed. Kittens require small, frequent meals early on, usually around four times a day. By six months, feeding can be reduced to twice daily.
When should my new kitten see a vet after coming home?
Your kitten should be checked by a vet within the first week of arriving home. A mobile vet can assess your kitten in a familiar environment and guide you through vaccinations, worming and flea and tick prevention.