All of our kittens have been started off eating Iams Dry Kitten food before they leave us. Don't panic if the kitten does not eat right away when you get him or her home the car ride, new place and new people can be a bit stressful for them, however if they do not eat in the first 24 hours try a small can of Science Diet Kitten wet food to get them started.  Be sure to check for any recalls before buying or feeding any wet foods.  Make sure to leave food and clean water where they can get to it at all times.

Kitty Litter

All the kittens have been litter box trained before they leave us, we use Tidy Cats Multi Cat clumping litter.  Even though they are litter box trained you still need to keep a litter box close by for the first week so they don't have trouble finding it.  Please remember when they first come home they can still have accidents, especially if they have too much room to roam and have not quite figured out exactly where the litter box is.  If they do have a solid (#2) accident pick it up with a paper towel, put it in the litter box, and then put the kitten in there too.  This lets them see and smell it to reinforce them to go there.  Please do not punish a kitten for an accident at this age.  They will get it !

Adjusting

The first week at his or her new home is a big adjustment for a kitten.  This is also a very important time for you and your new kitten to bond.  You need to remember he or she  has just been separated from every one and every thing it has ever known and lost all the siblings that they spent all their days and nights playing with, so it needs time with you and your family in an environment that is comfortable. 

First week living quarters

We recommend keeping the kitten somewhat confined to a room or two for at least the first week since just being loose in a whole new house is kind of over whelming to a small kitten and it may make them a bit skittish.  It's our opinion that the best place for this is your bedroom if you don't mind kitty's sleeping with you.  Sleeping with you is a sure sign that the kitten is bonding and beginning to feel safe with you.

Introduction To The Rest of the House

After the kitten is showing good signs of bonding (laying with you, purring, coming to you for attention), it's time to begin introducing it to the big world outside of it's confined room.  This should be done slowly and in stages.  Begin with carrying the kitten with you when you go to other parts of the house so it can see everything, but still feel safe with you.  Gradually (within a few days) it will start asking to be put down.  Be sure not to leave it unattended as it won't know where it's kitty box is.  The next step is to add a kitty box and be sure the kitten knows where it is.  You can move it's food and water within a few days of it being out and about.  If you notice any serious behavioral changes, confine the baby again for a few more days.  Never let the kitten think it's the boss instead of you.  Spray bottles filled with water and rolled newspapers work great for this, after they learn what the spray bottle is most of the time you don't even have to spray them anymore all you have to do is shake it and the will stop what they are doing and run.  Sometimes picking them up by the scruff of the neck, like their mom did, and telling them 'NO' in a firm tone will also do the trick too. 

   Introductions to Small Children and Other 4 Legged Friends

(All of our kittens have been introduced to other kitties and small children before they leave here.  We make it a point to let the little ones meet their Daddy and their Aunt, and of course our little guy regularly visits the kittens with human Mom and Dad and an older child {9 year old} we have the honor of keeping on occasion.)

It is best to wait until you have bonded with the kitten first, as this will give the new baby someone to trust and to feel relatively safe with.  This can be a stressful adjustment for both the new family and the kitten.  The more relaxed you are about it the better, as the kitten will sense your apprehension.  Please remember when introducing children and other animals to a kitten that you need to supervise them both at all times until they have adjusted to each other.  Neither would intentionally hurt the other, but it can happen quickly.  With children, they need to remember when holding the kitten not to 'jerk' or pull them off of themselves when they attempt to put them down.  This can damage little claws and cause scratches that could harm and scare them both.  Little children will lose interest much quicker than older kids.  Before long they will be playing together without any problem. 

When introducing a new four-legged friend, the best way is to hold the kitten and daily let them sniff and fuss at each other.  Some are so happy for company that they attach very quickly.  Others will take time.  Do not turn other animals loose with the kitten until you are sure that they have made progress and seem more interested in each other than afraid.  Set the kitten down with a hand under it's belly with the other animal so you can quickly scoop it up if things are not going as well as you'd like.  It's best to keep a dog on a leash to help control it if you think there may be a problem.