Start with one small room, not the whole house
Letting a kitten loose in the whole house on day one feels welcoming to you; to a cat it’s the opposite. International Cat Care explains the logic: cats are territorial, and their first job in a new place is to understand that territory before they feel safe enough to eat, drink, rest or use the litter tray. “The smaller and safer the space you can provide, the more they will feel secure.”
What goes in the room
Pick one small, quiet, uncluttered room for the first week. At a minimum:
- A litter tray with unscented clumping litter
- Food and water, kept well away from the litter tray
- Bedding and a few toys
- At least one hiding place: a cracked-open carrier, a covered bed or simply a cardboard box
“Many newly adopted cats hide for the first few days, sometimes the whole first week. This is not a bad sign. It is a cat doing exactly what a cat should do. Let her.”— Doctor Agatha
The first night and the first week
| Hours 1–24 | Hiding is normal and expected. Sit quietly in the room and let her choose when to come out. |
|---|---|
| Days 2–3 | Short, calm visits. Sit on the floor, let her approach, no forced handling. |
| Days 3–7 | She eats and uses the tray more confidently while you’re in the room. |
| End of week 1 | If she’s confident, begin supervised access to one more room. |
The shopping list
- At least two litter trays for a single kitten, with unscented clumping litter
- Bowls placed well away from the trays, and the exact food she was already eating
- A covered bed or a cardboard box, plus a carrier she can retreat into
- A little vertical space: even one clear shelf or a small perch
- A wand toy and a scratching post from day one
Before she arrives
- Set the room up before she comes home, not after
- Keep any resident cats separate until a vet has checked the newcomer
- Book the first vet appointment within the week