23/09/2026
🩷When you take your new kitten home🩷
“How long will it take my kitten to settle in?”
This is a very commonly asked question, with some variables depending on the individual.
Kittens in my home are raised with their mothers until they leave. I very rarely ever wean my kittens off mums. This is for a few reasons. Mother cats teach their babies so much. They are excellent at disciplining naughty children with superb timing and in the language cats understand.
I have a method of raising my kittens that works for me. It’s a system that gets them ‘broke’ to household stuff.
They start in the nursery with their mum and siblings, where they are born. I have kittening boxes with heated pads underneath, warm dry towels and it’s lovely and quiet. For three weeks they will stay in there, though there’s an exit, as mum comes and goes as she pleases. Mums are not caged.
At about three weeks kittens get to walking and pouncing, and they find that exit. They will only leave when mum says it’s ok to do so. Once they’re out, they become very brave and intrepid, very fast.
Watching kittens develop is so fascinating. My kitten boxes butt up to huge cages, that have the litter tray, water bowls, biscuits, and secure footing. The door of the cage has corflute across the opening to keep the babies in, but let mum jump out, again, my mum’s are not caged.
The babies will learn to use the litter tray within days, keeping them confined sets them up for success.
By about five weeks, all is lost, as they spring out of the cage, into the room. I then pull down the corflute, and accept defeat. The takeover begins.
The babies are kept in that room, away from my show cats, away from noise and stress, till their first vet visit at 8 weeks. This visit, they are health checked, and receive their first vaccination. By this time, they’ve been wormed, and are ready for bigger adventures.
Now things get serious. I have to open the door, and unleash the terror into my house 😬😳🤪
It’s a strategic time! Toddler proofing to make sure there’s no electrical cords or dangerous items around, ensuring that my older cats aren’t mean, it’s hectic.
It’s an important step though, as the kittens haven’t really heard a lot of noise yet. I like to put the washing machine on, the tv, do the dishes, all the things, to get them ‘broke’ to household things.
So, that’s my process in a nutshell.
Now, when you arrive, and take your baby home, they are used to their mother leading the way, and their siblings as their ‘wingmen’. It’s a startling shock to them, to find themselves in a strange home, with strange humans, and NOT their kitty family who have been there all along. It’s actually heartbreaking for me to watch them leave, knowing how confused they must feel.
PATIENCE
Please, be understanding of their little feelings. They will accept you as their whole world very quickly, but it will take a little time.
How long?
The 3-3-3 Adjustment Timeline
The first three days
Your kitten may hide, refuse food, or seem overwhelmed by new sights and sounds. They are decompressing from the move.
First 3 Weeks
Your kitten starts exploring more, learning household routines, and showing playful behavior as trust builds. Your kitten needs to learn the map of your home gradually. It helps to make sure there’s no under bed hidey places, and to introduce the home little by little, starting with their room where their tray and bed and food etc is. Expand the territory as they become comfortable. Use play to encourage positive interactions. A teaser toy is great for this.
By 3 Months: Your kitten feels completely secure, recognizes voices, and shows their true personality.
I hope this helps you and your baby with their transition into big kid life🩷🙏
