Because of the wild heritage of the hybrid cats early socialization, as well as a smooth acclimation process into a new home, is key. We believe strongly in having our kittens learn essential habits, such as litter box etiquette, from their mother or a foster mother. While on the mother we spend much time handling and socializing our kittens. Some researchers suggest that handling kittens each day during the first month of their lives improves their learning ability. Furthermore, a bigger impression is made when kittens are between the ages of four and six weeks than anytime thereafter.

Still, kittens are very impressionable after this age. We strive to have our kittens ready to go to their new homes between eight and ten weeks of age so their new families can be a part of their lives during the critical bonding period. How a kitten is handled during the first few weeks in its new home can influence its relationship with people, as well as its behavior. To try to ease the transition into a new home we have compiled a list of Do’s and Don’ts for the first couple of weeks after getting your kitten home.

Do’s Be calm and quiet when you bring your kitten into your home. Place the carrier on the floor and let the kitten come out on its own. To encourage the kitten to come out of the carrier for the first time coax him/her out with a teaser-toy. Keep the kitten in a small room to start, slowly allowing him/her more run of the house. Place the kitten in the litter box several times in the first couple of days. Sit on the floor, on the kitten’s level, to play and socialize.

Let the kitten sleep with you. Introduce the kitten slowly to other pets. Make sure the kitten knows where his/her food and water is kept and that he/she is eating and drinking enough. A timeout (approx. 30 min) in a small room, such as a bathroom, may be required several times a day to force the kitten to stop playing and eat and drink. Use a pelletted litter, such as Feline Pine or pelletted newspaper, for the first few weeks after getting your kitten home. This is what we use and therefore what the kittens are used to. It will not harm them if they ingest some of it. Please call us with any and all questions. We will do our best to advise with any situation.

Don'ts Give the kitten full run of the house immediately. Move the litter box for the first couple of weeks - when/if you do move it place the kitten in it several times. Introduce too many people to the kitten right at first. After he/she is comfortable in the home start introducing new people. Leave a down comforter on your bed for the first few weeks if you will be allowing the kitten to sleep with you. To a newly awakened kitten this feels like a litter box under their feet and consequently may be used as one. Take the kitten outside (on a harness) until after it has had all of its vaccinations.