Tips for Bringing Home a New kitten (Ultimate Beginner Guide) | The Cat Butler

So you’ve decided to bring home a new kitten. Congratulations! Your world is about to change forever. I am the Cat Butler and these are   my two ragdoll cats Teemo and Arya. When I first brought them home as kittens,   I made plenty of mistakes. So today, I’m sharing my tips   for bringing home a new kitten to help make the  transition smoother for both you and your cat. Your cat is like a new born baby, so  you need to cat proof your home to   protect them from themselves. If you have a spare bedroom,   that is a good place to start. You can use it as their safe zone while   they adjust to their new environment. If you don’t have a spare bedroom,   pick a room that’s the safest and has the least  number of things your kitten could get into.   The first thing is to remove any  toxic plants from your home. Toxic plants can be divided into two categories. Those that are mildly toxic, causing  symptoms like vomiting or oral irritation,   and those that are highly toxic to your cat,  plants that can potentially cause death. For example, lilies are among the most toxic  plants for cats and can cause kidney failure   even if just a small amount is ingested. You can find a list of toxic plants on   the ASPCA website, which I will  link in the description below.   It does not distinguish between  mildly and highly toxic plants,   so you will have to do further research to  see how safe the plant is for your cat. Another thing to hide from your  new cat is human medications. Many human medications are highly  toxic to cats, even in small doses.   Tylenol and Advil can cause liver failure,  stomach ulcers, and kidney damage.   So put them safely away in an  area your cat cannot get to. Keep the toilet lids closed as  kittens can drown in toilet bowls. Also make sure every garbage can has a lid. You wouldn't want your kitten falling into the   garbage and eating anything  it's not supposed to. Dental floss is especially  bad as it can kill your cat. Secure any dangling blind cords because your  cat can potentially strangle themselves. Seal up every tiny gap a  kitten could squeeze into. Older homes tend to have hidden holes behind  cabinets, inside walls or under appliances. Hide dangling or exposed electrical cords that  are tempting for kittens to chew and pull on. You can also cover electrical  cords with protective tubing to   prevent your cat from chewing on them and  accidentally electrocuting themselves. Lastly, remove any small objects your kitten  could swallow, like hair ties, rubber bands,   or tiny toys. You want your home to be as clean  and clutter-free as possible to keep them safe. A little effort to cat-proof your  home goes a long way in keeping   your curious kitten safe and happy. Before bringing home your new kitten,   schedule a visit to the vet. Usually right after you bring it home. Veterinarians often have very full schedules, so  it’s best to book the appointment ahead of time This initial visit is important  for vaccinations, deworming,   and a general health check-up to ensure  they are growing and developing properly. This may include a blood test to screen for FeLV  and FIV or a fecal exam to look for parasites. It is best to keep your new kitten separated from  other cats until results confirm it’s healthy. Because the digestive system  of a kitten is very sensitive,   changing foods can cause vomiting and diarrhea. So it is recommended to stick to the same diet at   the beginning, and if you want to switch to  a new food to do it over a 7 day period. Consider adding a probiotic to their  diet if you encounter a lot of diarrhea. A probiotic will help aid in digestion. For my cats Teemo and Arya I transitioned   them from their original wet food diet to a raw  meat diet because I wanted them to eat a healthier   diet that more resembles a cat’s natural diet. I made the mistake of transitioning too quickly,   and Teemo and Arya got a bit of  diarrhea from the sudden change. So it's important to transition their diet  gradually over 7 days and consider using   a probiotic if there is too much diarrhea. Also if you want to learn more about a raw meat   diet I link a video in the description below. Using a kitten safe litter is one of the most   important choices you can make  when bringing home a young cat. Kittens are naturally curious and tend  to explore the world with their mouths,   which means they might accidentally ingest  litter while using the litter box. That’s why it’s important to choose a natural,  low-dust, and fragrance-free cat litter. Litters made from corn, peas, paper, or wood  are safe if a kitten happens to eat them. They are also gentle on their lungs, making them  a healthier choice for young developing cats. Natural litter made from peas even dissolves  when they come into contact with water or saliva,   so if your kitten accidentally eats a bit, it  won’t cause blockages or harm their intestines. Making the litter safer. Unscented litters are a better choice than scented   ones, as artificial fragrances can irritate  a kitten’s sensitive respiratory system. Strong scents can also overwhelm them and even  discourage proper litter box use altogether. Avoid clay litter, as it can expand  and harden into concrete clumps when   swallowed, potentially causing  dangerous intestinal blockages. Clay litter also creates a lot of dust. Breathing dust is harmful to a kitten's   fragile respiratory system, and  can trigger allergies or asthma.   When I used clay litter, my cat Teemo  used to cough a lot from all the dust. So avoid clay litter. Lastly you also want to   avoid crystal litter as well. Crystal litter made from silica   gel is generally considered safe for adult cats,  but it can still cause problems for kittens. If ingested, the crystals can irritate  the digestive tract and absorb moisture   from the intestines, which may lead to  vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration. In addition, some crystal litters contain  chemical additives or fragrances to control   odor, which can further upset a kitten’s  sensitive stomach and respiratory system. For these reasons, it’s best to stick  with a natural, kitten-safe litter. You’ll need a good carrier to  transport your kitten safely. I recommend investing in a high-quality  carrier that will last for years and   has enough room for your cat to grow into. That way, you won’t need to replace it later. I learned this the hard way when Teemo outgrew his  first carrier and had to upgrade to a bigger one! One of the most important  tips is to film your cat. Document everything on photo and video. The playful pounces, the cute meows, and   even the moments when they curl up beside you. Those memories will become treasures later on. Kittens just do so many funny things and grow up  so fast so you want to capture those memories. I know I do. One of my biggest   regrets is not filming Teemo and Arya enough. There were so many sweet, funny, and cute moments   I never captured. So film everything. Your babies will grow up in a blink of an eye. One filmmaking tip I can share is to use good   lighting, it makes your videos  look tremendously better. If you can, take some time off  when you bring home your kitten. Those first few days are filled with some of the  most beautiful moments you’ll ever experience. Taking a few days to just be present helps your  kitten feel safe and loved, and it also gives   you a chance to slow down, bond, and truly enjoy  your time with your kitten before they grow up.   I took a week off with Teemo and Arya, and it gave  me some of the most memorable moments of my life. Your new kitten will need a food and water bowl. When choosing a food and water bowl,   skip the cheap plastic options. They scratch easily, harbor bacteria,   and contribute to feline acne. Feline acne is a common skin   condition that appears as pimples on  a cat’s chin, often caused by bacteria   buildup from plastic bowls or poor hygiene. Instead, go for a porcelain bowl which is   stronger than standard ceramic and less likely to  crack when dropped or a stainless steel bowl. Also look for a wide, shallow design  so your cat’s whiskers won’t rub the   sides and cause whisker fatigue. Whisker fatigue happens when a cat’s   sensitive whiskers constantly brush against  the sides of the deep bowl, causing discomfort   and making them hesitant to eat or drink. Getting a quality food bowl from the start will   save you money in the long run, since you won’t  need to keep replacing cheaper bowls that scratch,   crack, or cause issues like feline acne. When you first bring your kitten home,   give them time to adjust and let them  come to you on their own terms. Sit quietly nearby and let them  explore at their own pace. This helps build trust and makes  your kitten feel safe around you. When I first brought Arya  home, she was terrified. Hiding under the sofa and  watching me from a distance. I didn’t push her or try to pick her up; I just  sat nearby and let her get used to my presence. Over time, her fear turned into curiosity,  and she started coming closer on her own. Now, she follows me everywhere  and refuses to leave my side. When it comes to litter boxes, the general  rule is one per cat, plus one extra. However, if you have a very large litter  box, one per cat is usually enough. Fill the litter box to about 3 to 4  inches of litter and scoop it daily. Cats are very particular about cleanliness. To reduce litter tracking, choose a pellet-type  litter, such as a pea-based litter. Traditional litter like clay tends to scatter  everywhere and make your home feel sandy. For the best results, pair a pellet  litter with a top-entry litter box. That combination can almost  completely eliminate tracking. Getting a scratching post is  essential for any new kitten. Cats like to naturally scratch to mark territory,  stretch, and maintain healthy claws. You would need to get both a vertical  and horizontal scratching post as   some cats may prefer one over the other. Providing both types will keep your kitten   happy and keep your furniture safe. Cats love to climb, perch,   and observe their surroundings from  above, so having a cat tree gives   them a safe outlet for that natural behavior. It provides exercise, helps them build confidence,   and gives them a space of their own. The cat tree is my cat’s   favorite item in the house. They always sleep and jump around on it. Cats need toys to keep them mentally stimulated,  physically active, and to satisfy their natural   hunting instincts in a safe and playful way. When choosing toys for your kitten,   always invest in high-quality, durable  ones that won’t break apart easily.   Cheap toys with loose strings, plastic parts,  or glued pieces can quickly come apart,   and if swallowed, they can cause  serious intestinal blockages. This actually happened to my cat Teemo when  he chewed off a small piece from a toy,   luckily it did not get stuck in his intestine. The best rule is to always supervise playtime  and put toys away when you’re done. That way, your kitten stays safe. Bringing home a kitten can feel   overwhelming at first, but with the right  preparation and a safe, loving environment,   your new furry friend will settle in quickly. Just be patient, and give them time to adjust.   Any products mentioned in the video will  be linked in the description below. Comment down below if you  have any other tips to share.