Settling in at home

Congratulations on adopting from The Kitten Connection!

We’ve written this short guide to help you settle your kitten into your home.

Things you'll need

Blanket

Cat carrier

Scratching post

Toys

Water and food bowls

Food

Litter, tray and scoop

Brush or comb

Soft bed or cat cave

Preparing your home

Before you bring your kitten home, set up one room for them so they can get used to their new home. It’s easier for a kitten to relax if they are in a smaller space for the first few days.

The room should be quiet, secure, not too hot or cold, and well ventilated.

Set up the room with water, food, toys, litter tray, a scratching post and a bed and soft blanket.

Put a small box or something for the kitten to hide in. You can use a carrier box with the door removed.

Cat proofing:

Remove any dangerous or breakable items, such as wires or blind cords – anything a kitten can get tangled in or chew through.
If the room has a toilet in it, keep the lid closed.
Check any plants are not toxic to cats.

Taking your kitten home

Please bring a carrier box when you come to meet your kitten so that they can travel home safely.

Once you have collected your kitten, don’t open the box on the way home. Wait until you’re inside your house in your cat’s new room. Your kitten may get scared in the car, because she won’t have had many car rides in her life and she is not used to you yet.

Don’t worry if your cat hides for a few days; this is normal behaviour.

Ask everyone in the house to try to keep quiet to avoid scaring your new cat.

Let your cat explore the house slowly. After 2-3 days in one room, slowly introduce your cat to the rest of the house, one room at a time.

Keep your new cat inside at first (adult cats – 1 month, kittens – 2 months).

The first vet visit

Before your kitten goes outside, it will need a visit to the vet for a microchip and vaccinations.

If your cat is already sterilised or has had vaccinations, you will be given that information when you adopt.

The vet will also be able to give you advice on treatments for fleas, ticks and worms.

Microchips are compulsory in Portugal. It is important to keep the microchip details up to date if you move house or your phone number changes. Update your microchip details at the vet or here.