I Just Got A Kitten - Now What?
By Kathryn Yen
You just came home with a new kitten. What happens now?
Before you bought your kitten, you probably already purchased the basics:
- Litter box, kitty litter, scoop
- Kitten food and dishes
The first thing to do when you get home with the cat is place him in the litter box. The reason for this is that if he explores the house in relation to the litter box, he will always be able to find his way back (meaning, if he can find his way out, he can find his way back in).
I recommend keeping the kitten in a small, enclosed area, such as a bathroom or bedroom (with the doors shut) for the first few days, with a litter box, food, and water, of course. A new home is a frightening experience for cats, and letting yours get used to a small space at first will make things less complicated for everyone. Once your kitten is comfortable in the small area, you can slowly introduce new rooms. It’s normal for cats to not want to come out of their “comfort zone” for a while; so don’t worry, he will come out eventually. Cats are curious by nature, so you generally don’t have to wait too long!
Keep the litter box in an easy-to-access place. If you are re-locating the litter box from where it was in the enclosed area, again place your kitten in the litter box so that he knows where it is.
Also keep the food and water in a convenient place. Many cats are very social, and may like to eat their meals when the rest of the family does, so you might consider putting the food and water close by your meal table.
Then, beside keeping the food and water bowls full and the litter box clean, enjoy your kitten! Get him some fun toys, and play with him. Snuggle him. Be the happy owner of a happy cat!