Bringing Your Kitten Home: The First Week

The first week sets the tone for everything that follows. The instinct is to shower a new kitten with attention; almost always, the better strategy is to do less and go slower.

Before they arrive

Set up one small, quiet room with everything they need: bed, litter tray, food, water, a scratching post and somewhere to hide. This is their safe room, and it is where they should spend the first few days. Our room-by-room checklist covers the setup in detail.

Day 1: Arrive and settle

Carry them in the carrier to their room, open the door, and let them come out in their own time — this may take minutes or several hours. Show them the litter tray first, then food and water. Sit quietly in the room but do not force interaction. Many kittens will not eat on the first evening; that is normal.

Days 2 to 3: Establish the routine

Keep noise low and keep visitors away. Feed at the same times each day. Spend time sitting in the room reading or working so they get used to you without pressure. If they approach, offer a hand to sniff; if they retreat, let them. Begin very short, gentle handling when they are relaxed.

Days 4 to 5: Widen the world

Once they are eating, using the tray reliably and approaching you voluntarily, start letting them explore. Open one additional room at a time, supervised, and let them retreat to the safe room whenever they want. Do not rush this — a kitten overwhelmed on day two takes far longer to settle than one allowed a slow pace.

Days 6 to 7: Gentle expansion and the vet visit

Introduce short play sessions with a wand toy, start brief handling of paws and ears, and gently introduce other household members and pets. Book your first vet visit within the first few days so your vet has a baseline — bring the health record from your breeder.

What to avoid in the first week

• Letting them roam the whole house immediately
• Bathing them (almost never necessary)
• Introducing lots of visitors “to say hello”
• Changing their food — keep it the same for at least a week
• Chasing them for cuddles, or waking them to be handled
• Punishing accidents — it teaches fear, not behaviour

Signs they are settling well

Eating and drinking normally, using the litter tray reliably, exploring, playing, and seeking you out. If your kitten is not eating for more than 24 hours, is hiding constantly after several days, or has vomiting or diarrhoea, contact your vet.

Ongoing aftercare is part of adopting from us — get in touch with any question at all. The next stage is covered in our home preparation guide.