Bringing your Ragdoll kitten home: the first seven days

Going-home day is exciting for you and a big change for your kitten. They are leaving their mother, their littermates and everything familiar. A little preparation and a calm first week make all the difference.

Before your kitten arrives

Have these ready before pick-up day:

• a secure cat carrier for the trip home,
• a litter tray and the same type of litter they are used to,
• food and water bowls,
• the food your kitten is already eating (we send some home with you),
• a cosy bed or soft blanket,
• a scratching post and a few safe toys, and
• a vet appointment booked for the first few days.

Kitten-proof one room first. Tuck away cords, close off gaps behind appliances, and remove toxic plants, especially lilies.

Day 1: a quiet base camp

Start your kitten in one quiet room with their litter tray, food, water and bed. Open the carrier and let them come out when they are ready. Sit with them, talk softly, and let them come to you. Keep visitors away for now. It is a lot to take in.

Days 2 and 3: settling in

Your kitten will start exploring their room and seeking you out. Keep their routine predictable: meals at the same times, play sessions, and plenty of naps. Feed the same food they had with us. Any change of diet should be made slowly over seven to ten days to avoid an upset tummy.

Days 4 to 7: a bigger world

Once your kitten is eating, using the tray and playing confidently, open up more of the house one room at a time. If you have other pets, start slow introductions now, beginning with scent swapping before face-to-face meetings.

The first vet visit

Take your kitten for a check-up with your own vet within the first few days. Bring their vaccination record and microchip details. Your vet will plan the remaining vaccinations and talk to you about desexing, flea and worm care.

What is normal, and when to call the vet

It is normal for a new kitten to hide for a little while, eat a bit less on the first day, or cry at night. Call your vet if your kitten:

• has not eaten for 24 hours,
• has diarrhoea or vomiting that lasts more than a day,
• seems lethargic or has trouble breathing, or
• is not using the litter tray at all.

Patience is the secret. Most Ragdoll kittens are purring on someone's lap within a couple of days.

We are only a message away during the first week and beyond. Contact us any time.