THE FIRST NIGHT AT HOME Set up one small room in your home with a litter tray, food, water and a cat bed. Take your cat into the room and place them in the litter tray so they know where it is. Close the door but stay in the room. Spend some time in the room with them to observe how they are acting.
In the first few nights, have your kitten close to you in a warm and cosy spot next to your bed. Kittens like to feel sheltered and secure so putting them above the ground, if possible, can also make them feel safer.
On the first night in their new home, leave your cat alone in their room where they have access to everything they need. Provide them with somewhere to sleep, such as a cat bed, or a carboard box lined with a jumper or blanket, but don't be offended if they choose their own completely different sleeping spot!
The initial twenty-four hours should be a calm period of adjustment so it's probably best for any children in the household to understand that the kitten should be left alone for a while. The kitten room should be prepared in advance to enable the new arrival to settle in comfortably with minimum disturbance.
To set everyone up for success, ideally the new cat is kept in a room that the resident cat doesn't spend all that much time in. (This may not be possible in a small apartment.) For example, if your resident cat enjoys sleeping in your bedroom, ideally the new cat is kept in a room other than your bedroom.
Give Your Cat Space
Make sure they have easily accessible food and water in the room that they decide is their new safe space. You can build trust and help them settle in by spending some time just sitting quietly near that area and letting them approach you on their own time.
Let the cat decide: your new cat will let you know when he is ready to explore beyond the Bonding Room. On average, a new cat may stay in the Bonding Room for 2 - 7 days, but generally the cat will let you know when he is ready for the next step.
Cats can be injured through contact with other animals or even by humans, which is more likely to happen at night. Cats are also more inclined to fight during the night time, particularly when stumbling across each other's territories. Avoid injury by keeping your cat safe indoors.
Refrain from responding to your cat's night-time meowing.
If your cat is meowing from disability, dementia, pain, or unrequited romance, a vet can help. But if your pet just wants attention while you're catching up on sleep, you might try ignoring the behavior.
In general, a kitten between 8 weeks to 4 months can be left alone for about 4 hours. After 6 months, they can spend close to 8 hours on their own.
Plan to keep your kitten in their special room for at least the first 24 hours, and up to two weeks. This can be a great way to let them gradually get used to the smells and sounds of their new house. It's especially important if you already have pets in the house.
Kittens are often very anxious during their first night and it's normal for them to cry during the following two or three nights too. Here are some tips to help your kitten relax. For their health and well-being, kittens need a lot of sleep in a quiet place where they can relax and feel secure.
It is a good idea to have the kitten close to you for the first few nights. Find a cosy place next to your bed and you can even choose a spot up off the floor if possible. Kittens will love the height to make them feel safer.
If you choose to allow your kitten to sleep in bed with you, that is perfectly fine. Just keep in mind that once permitted to sleep in your bed, if you change your mind, it will be more challenging to get your little one to adjust to his own sleeping quarters.
Signs of Cat Behavior at Night
These behaviors might start in the evening or wake you up in the middle of the night and include: Wild, excited play across you or your furniture. Nibbling your toes while you sleep. Attacking your ears while you sleep.
Otherwise, adding some soft blankets or cushions will stimulate the warm environment of 'mum' for your little feline. Adding a couple of quiet toys on the off chance your kitten's sleep schedule includes a midnight play session means they'll be less likely to wake you up.
It's almost inevitable that your kitten will cry for at least the first couple of nights when you bring them home.
Refrain from responding to your cat's meows at night
However, it's highly important to differentiate between unwanted behaviour and a serious issue that needs tending to. They could be meowing at night due to cat illness or uncomfortableness – this should never be ignored and should always be checked by a vet.
In general, a happy, healthy, well-adjusted kitty shouldn't need nightly crating. If your kitten or cat is having difficulty making proper use of its litter box, it might be best to keep your cat in a crate at night while you train her to use the litter box. For ease of training, consider an automatic litter box.
And unlike dogs, cats actually prefer smaller spaces and tend to find hideaways and corners to retreat when they need their space. Although cats may need a little less, a cat can happily live in one room only if they have everything they need.
You can confine a cat to a room at night if the room is prepared to accommodate the feline's needs. You must consider the room's size, ventilation, temperature, and the cat's personality and needs. These factors guarantee that your feline friend will be safe in the room throughout the night.
A safe room is a separate room where she can start to explore her new home, such as an office, a spare bedroom, or even a bathroom. Some people like to use a utility room; however, we don't recommend using a utility room because noise from the washer or dryer can scare your new cat.
Settling in your Cat
Once home, place your cat in his/her safe room with the door closed, and leave them alone for an hour or two to explore the room. When you do go in to see your new cat, it's best to get down to their level, talk to them gently in soft low tones and let them come to you.