Congratulations on adopting your kitten from Pasadena Humane! Here are some tips on how to ensure a smooth transition into your home:
Kitten Classroom
- A Sanctuary Space: Set your kitten up for success by first acclimating them to a “classroom”: a small room—like a bathroom, guest room or office—with a door. If the room is large, be sure to block access from hard to-reach areas. Large wire dog crates (42” or larger) are an alternative if no other enclosed space is available.
- Provide Essentials: Food and water, litter box with fresh litter cleaned daily, toys, a bed or den, and a scratching pad should be waiting for your kitten in their “classroom”.
- Safety First: Limiting your kitten’s access to the whole house will not only keep them from hiding in hard-to-find spots like under beds or behind furniture, but it will also prevent them from getting into trouble as they learn to play appropriately.
- Good Habits: Your kitten’s “classroom” is where your kitten will learn their new daily routine and establish good litter box habits.
- Slow Introductions: After three days, you can slowly begin to provide supervised access to another room of the house for short play sessions.
- Retreat & Reset: If kitty does become frightened while exploring, they will have a safe and familiar place to retreat.
Playtime and Socialization
- Provide a variety of toys and appropriate items to climb, scratch and jump on.
- Build confidence with fun play sessions. Teach your kitten to grab and bite toys, not hands, feet or clothing.
- Provide kittens 5 months and younger with safe teething chew items.
- Support your kitten’s back feet when holding. Don’t scruff their neck.
- Build trust by rewarding behaviors you like with food, praise and play*.
- Check our website for information about our behavior classes & workshops for kittens.
*A word about punishment: Using items such as squirt bottles or noisemakers can break down the trust you have with your pet. Instead, find an appropriate outlet for your cat’s unwanted behavior and reward the appropriate behavior.
New Kitten Shopping List*
- Canned kitten food
- Kitten kibble
- Food & water bowls
- Litter
- Litter box (at least 2 boxes if adopting 2 kittens)
- Cat carrier (large enough for an adult cat)
- Plenty of kitten-safe small toys & wand toy
- Cat treats
- Scratching pad
*All these items can be purchased in our Shelter Shop.
Kitten-Proof Your House
- Secure cupboards and windows.
- Remove dangerous household plants.
- Check your home from a kitten’s eye level – put away unsafe items your kitten may knock over or chew.
- Block access to closets, wires, strings, or children’s toys.
We are always here to help! You can find additional behavior and training resources at pasadenahumane.org/behavior.
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