They arrive small. They do not stay humble.
The short version
Start with one quiet room, not the whole house.
See a vet in the first week, even if the kitten seems perfect.
Play with toys, never hands. You are teaching the next fifteen years.
One room first
A whole house is a lot of territory for something that fits in your palm. Give a new kitten a single quiet room to begin with: food and water on one side, a litter box on the other, a bed, and somewhere to hide. A cardboard box on its side is perfect. Hiding for the first day or two is normal. Let the kitten come to you.
Once they are eating, using the box and exploring the room with their tail up, open the door and let them widen their territory at their own pace. Usually that takes a few days.
The vet, early
Book a check-up within the first week. Your vet will look for anything missed, and set a plan for vaccinations, worming, flea treatment, microchipping and, later, neutering. Bring whatever records the shelter or breeder gave you.
Proof the house
Kittens will investigate everything with their mouths. Tidy away loose cords, hair ties, thread and ribbon. String-like things are genuinely dangerous if swallowed. Keep lilies out of the house entirely, since every part of the plant is toxic to cats. Close toilet lids, and check the washing machine and dryer before you use them.
Hands are for holding. Toys are for chasing.
Play, properly
A kitten that learns to pounce on fingers grows into a cat that chases ankles. Use a wand toy or something to throw, and keep your hands out of the game. Short, frequent sessions suit kittens best. End each one with a catch.
Handle your kitten gently every day: paws, ears, a look at the mouth. Vet visits, nail trims and medicine all get easier for a cat who learned early that being touched is ordinary.
Food and water
Feed a food made for kittens. They need more energy and nutrients than adult cats. Skip the saucer of cow's milk. Many cats can't digest it well, and water is all they need to drink.
Worth knowing
If you already have a cat, keep them apart at first and let them meet through scent. Swap bedding between rooms, then let them see each other through a gap or a screen before sharing space. Introductions go better over weeks than in an afternoon.
When to call the vet
Kittens have few reserves. Call your vet promptly if a kitten stops eating, has diarrhoea or vomiting that doesn't settle within a day, seems unusually sleepy, or has sticky eyes, sneezing or a runny nose.
By the end of the week, they will act as if they have always lived here. As far as they're concerned, they have.
Sources
- AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines (2021)
- Vetic: Are Cats Lactose Intolerant?
Checked against published veterinary guidance. It is general information, not a substitute for your vet.
Catlas entries are general guidance, not a substitute for your veterinarian.
