Lucy Hoile has been practicing as a feline behaviourist since 2010 and is committed to strengthening the relationship between cats and their caregivers by understanding the unique needs of every cat she works with. As well as working with individual cats, Lucy shares her knowledge of the feline species and cat behaviour around the world though talks, webinars and blogs.
Getting a new kitten can be daunting and exciting – but fear not!
Our feline behaviourist Lucy Hoile is here to share her expert know-how on raising your little lion to be a happy and confident cat.
Read on to learn about things to get ahead of their arrival, kitten-proofing the house, settling your kitten in, and more.
Your kitten will want to explore their new territory and it’s important to make sure your house is as safe as possible.
If you love shopping you probably can’t wait to pick up some bits for your kitten. But it’s easy to spend on unnecessary things, so here’s a list of essentials you’ll want to get:
Looking after your kitten’s health from an early age can help make sure they live a long and happy life.
That first day at home is exciting for you but can be overwhelming for your new kitten. Keep visitors away and put your kitten in one room to adjust and decompress.
Be sure to spend time with them in the room to interact and watch their behaviour. Once they act more confidently – tail up, being friendly, not hiding – you can let them into a new room.
Take things slow and steady and always at your kitten’s pace. Below are a few more things to remember in those early days with your kitten:
You can let your kitten outside once they’re neutered, chipped, and vaccinated. You also want them to have settled inside the home first and see it as their territory.
Supervise your kitten so they can adjust to the outdoor space and don’t run off exploring. Check out this article on letting your cat outside for tips and best practices to keep your kitten safe and happy outdoors.
It’s not fair to frequently leave your kitten home alone or in a quiet house where they don’t get much playtime. That’s why I usually suggest getting two kittens as they can keep each other entertained.
Look for two kittens who complement each other’s personalities and are already playing together.
If you can dedicate enough playtime to your kitten but occasionally need to leave them alone, here’s how to make sure they’re OK:
Cats like to feel in control and want to use their territory, not be shut up in a small space. That’s why you shouldn’t put them in a crate or kennel at night.
Your kitten can stay in one room overnight if you’re worried about something happening to the house. But expect frustration as they want to be with you and may vocalise and scratch at the door.
Cats are usually happiest being with their owners overnight. But if this can’t happen, start as you mean to go on. That means you need to:
Kittens shouldn’t cry unless they’re frustrated and are trying to get attention. Usually, that’s due to being shut in a room and wanting to get out.
As we’ve mentioned, think long-term about your kitten’s set-up. If you put them in a room overnight and then let them out when they start crying, they’ll keep doing it.
They’ll come to you to be soothed so show them affection when they ask for it. And always speak to your vet if you’re worried your kitten isn’t well.
Like us, kittens have unique personalities and boundaries for what they do and don’t like.
How much your kitten wants to be around you also comes down to good socialisation and positive experiences with people. For example, a feral cat may always be feral as they’re used to being in survival mode.
While you can’t force your kitten to be cuddly, you can show them affection and take their lead on interactions.