Guides

Make sure to always allow your kitten to come to you when you first bring them home. They are most likely scared and it will take them a few days to start feeling comfortable. Let them stay in their carrier till they are ready to come out. You can be close and offer your hand with soothing loving words and even stroke them if they allow it but never try to reach in and forcefully remove them. This will just scare them more. Give them time and allow them to know you are there for them. They are not used to a lot of new people, so if you have a big family please don’t all rush in to see the kitten at one time. Calmly introduce the kitten when it’s quiet otherwise you will scare the kitten.

If you have other animals, from the first time your kitten enters your home it is important to give them their own time and space without any of the other animals around. Over the next few days you can gradually introduce them but not until they have accepted you first. You will be their safety person while they meet the rest of the family/pets.

Make sure to give them at least 30 to 60 minutes of one-on-one time with each family member individually, so they bond with everyone. They will most likely choose the one they want to bond with the most. That normally will be the person that spends the most time with the kitten.

Spend at least 10 minutes a day just grooming your kitten. If you can’t do it daily, try at least once every few days.

After play time, have quiet time with your kitten for at least 15 min. This will calm them down and also make them feel more relaxed with you. It allows them to know that you are not just their play toy but their friend/companion. This is very important if you want your kitten to be a lap cat, the more quiet/gentle time you spend with them the more they will use you as their safe spot to rest and feel safe. This time should be for gentle stroking, praise, cuddling and resting.

Don’t play rough with your kitten/cat. When you play rough it teaches them to be more aggressive or even scared if they don’t like it.

Don’t Force them to do anything they do not want to do. You again are teaching them to be aggressive.  They will lash out if you're trying to force them. It's best to train them with positive gentle reinforcement if you're trying to get them to do something they are not used to or do not want to do. This takes time, allowing the kitten/cat to understand and feel comfortable with what you want.