How To Safely Introduce A Kitten To Your Dog - Banfield Pet Hospital

Cats are often freaked out by new environments. Here are some ways you can help them ease into their new home.

• Pick a small room or portioned-off area in your house to be your cat’s “safe zone.” You want a place where the kitten will both feel safe and actually be physically safe if you’re out of the house or sleeping.
• Shy kitties may also want a place to hide while they get used to all the newness around them. It doesn’t have to be fancy. A box with a cat-sized hole cut in the front and back works just fine.
• Stock the safe zone with food, water, and a litter box. Litter should be placed a respectable distance from their food so they don’t get the sense they’re eating where they poop, or vice versa.
• Make sure your cat has a soft, high-sided bed (or a rolled-up towel in a box), where they can safely sleep. Don’t be surprised if they sleep a lot — kittens can sleep up to 20 hours a day.
• Give your cat some cat-safe toys in their zone for pouncing on or batting around.
• Only interact with your kitty in their safe zone at first. As they get more comfortable, you can start opening up other areas in the house once they’ve been cat-proofed. See more on cat-proofing your house
• Try to stay home for the first few days so you can see how your kittyBAE is doing. Make sure they’re eating, drinking, and pooping. See if they’re scratchers who might want a scratching post, or adventurous climbers who need extra cat-proofing to keep them (and your possessions) safe.
• Don’t force yourself on your kitty if they’re shy at first. Be patient, and have treats and distance toys, like cat wands, ready for when they come out.
• For indoor/outdoor cats, don’t let kittens out of the house until they’re at least 6 months old. For older cats new to your home, don’t let them out of the house until you’re sure they can orient themselves properly. See more about indoor and outdoor cats