A kitten is coming home: how not to die of love (or stress)

A newly arrived kitten is a ball of curiosity, but also of insecurity. Everything smells different and they don't know where anything is. Give them a calm start and they'll gain confidence very quickly, and within a few days you'll see them scampering about as if they owned the flat. Which, deep down, they will.

A base room

Rather than letting them loose in the whole house, first prepare a quiet room with everything they need. It's easier to feel safe in a small, familiar space, and from there they'll gradually expand their territory.

• A litter tray with suitable litter, away from the food.
• Food and water bowls, kept apart from the litter tray.
• A bed and a hideaway such as a cat cave or a cardboard box.
• A small scratching post.
• Toys suited to their size.
• The same food they were eating before, so their diet doesn't change all at once.

A kitten-proof home

Kittens squeeze into any gap and chew everything. Before they arrive, tidy away cables, cords, hair ties, threads and small objects. Check windows and balconies, move any plants that may be toxic to cats and make sure they can't slip behind appliances.

The first few days

Let them come out of the carrier when they're ready, without pulling them out. Sit nearby, talk calmly and let them be the one to approach. If they hide, that's fine: it's their way of observing. Once you see they're comfortable in their room, gradually open up the rest of the house.

Play with them using wands and toys, not your hands. What's cute in a kitten is a lot less so in an adult with claws and teeth.

If there are other animals at home, introductions should be gradual: scents first, then glimpses through a door left ajar or a barrier, and only then supervised meetings.

A visit to the vet

Book an appointment in the first few days for a general check-up. Your vet will give you the vaccination and worming schedule, talk to you about microchipping and neutering, and answer your questions about food.

At Petuki you'll find litter trays, beds, scratching posts, carriers and toys to welcome your kitten in style.