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Bringing a new kitten home is an exciting and joyful experience, but it’s essential to introduce them properly to ensure their safety, comfort, and long-term well-being. Even the most highly social kitten, like most Devon kittens often are,  are still highly sensitive to new environments, and a smooth transition can help them feel secure and confident. Stress is one of the biggest predictors of illness in cats, (Stella et al., 2013) so minimizing stress during the introduction process is crucial for their health and well-being. Cats are experts at masking stress, and highly social breeds like the Devon Rex may appear to be ready to explore and interact from day one. However, their eagerness can be misplaced bravery rather than true comfort. It’s crucial to see past their boldness and follow proven methods that promote long-term confidence and security. Even if your kitten seems fearless, giving them the proper time to adjust will set them up for lifelong stability and well-being (Ramos et al., 2021).

Follow this step-by-step guide for as stress-free an introduction as is possible..

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Step 1: Prepare a Safe Space

 

Before bringing your kitten home, set up a designated space where they can feel secure. This area should be quiet, enclosed, and contain:

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• A comfortable bed

• Food and water dishes

• A litter box placed away from the food

• Scratching post and toys

• A hiding spot (e.g., a covered box or small carrier)

 

A good example of a safe space could be a spare bedroom, office, or even a bathroom if space is limited. Keep your kitten in this space for at least a few days, or up to a week (longer if other animals in the home require more time to acclimate). Providing a safe, enclosed space helps reduce stress and promotes adjustment. (Overall, 2020) Remember, this is your kittens first time without it's mother or siblings. It's a totally new environment, with new people, new sounds, new smells and possibly new animals. The first few nights may require some adaptation as a sad and lonely kitten might cry, for this reason we often recommend a room where someone is able to sleep/nap with the kitten when needed/if possible. 

 

Step 2: Transport Your Kitten Safely

Use a secure, well-ventilated cat carrier for transportation. Keep the carrier covered with a light blanket to minimize stress. Upon arrival, place the carrier in the kitten’s designated space and allow them to exit on their own time. (Ellis et al., 2013)

 

Step 3: Allow for Play/Exploration

Give your kitten time to explore their new (albeit small) environment at their own pace. Avoid overwhelming them with too much commotion initially. Gradually allow them to meet new human family members when everyone is quiet and calm, while always monitored, over several days as they become comfortable. Allow all family members to interact with the kitten in a respectful way. No chasing, screaming or yelling whenever possible.  Interaction with a favorite toy is a great way to encourage bonding. Start with meetings of 10 minutes, then a half an hour then an hour and progress from there. Most Devon Rex kittens will confidently approach new people within a day or two (if not immediately!), while others may need more time to adjust. (Casey & Bradshaw, 2008).

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Step 4: Establish a Feeding Routine

Kittens thrive on routine. Feed them at consistent times using high-quality kitten food. We start all of our kittens on Royal Canin Kitten. A consistent diet and schedule support digestive health and reduce stress. (Zoran, 2002)

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** There is a lot to discuss about nutrition, and a lot of information out there that runs the gamete on accuracy. So we will leave that aspect for another discussion. For now, ensure the food you feed is the same as what your breeder feeds so as not to add any extra changes to the kittens routine that are not necessary. You can make the choice on what food to stick in a few months when the kitten is well-established in the home. 

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Step 5: Introduce Other Pets Gradually

If you have other pets, introduce them slowly:

1. Scent Exchange: Swap bedding between pets to familiarize them with each other's scent.

2. Visual Introduction: Allow them to see each other through a baby gate or cracked door.

3. Supervised Meetings: Short, controlled interactions, with neither party being forced to interact with the other. Ignoring each other is perfectly acceptable. with positive reinforcement.
   
   ** If you have a dog, you must be able to maintain control the the dog at all times during the period of time they are being introduced. Whether with a leash and collar or harness etc. Free access to a new kitten is never acceptable. Even if your dog has been around kittens their whole life. It's not worth the risk.
    

The introduction process with other pets can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the animals’ temperaments. Some cats may take longer to accept a new kitten, so be patient and allow interactions at their own pace. A resident cat may hiss or avoid the kitten initially, but over time, with careful introductions, and positive assoction(make sure lots of treats are available for positive interactions - as small as simply looking at the other animal and having no reaction!) they should begin to tolerate or even bond with the new addition. (Vitale Shreve & Udell, 2017)

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Step 6: Socialization and Handling

Naturally, it will be important to handle and play with your kitten daily to help them become accustomed to new people, sights and smells. Offer treats and soft-spoken words to create positive associations. Socialization is critical between 2–9 weeks of age, but older kittens still benefit from structured interaction especially with their new human family members. If your kitten is shy (which is fairly rare among Devons, as you might imagine), start with short handling sessions and gradually increase their comfort level. (Karsh & Turner, 1988)

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Step 7: Litter Box Training

By the time you receive your kitten, they will be many months into using a litterbox every day. They should need no guidance, aside from knowing where the box is, and ensuring the litter box is always accessible and clean. Avoid scented litter and sudden changes in litter type, as these can deter use. If your home has multiple floors, consider placing a litter box on each level to make it easier for the kitten to find one. (Neilson, 2004). If you are a multi-cat household, consider having one more box than you do cats. Or, look into a solidly build automatic litterbox, such as the Litter-Robot. **These specific bots are wonderful, we have 3! But they are darn expensive. If you can afford them, they make cat ownership even more of a joy.  

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Step 8: Veterinary Check-Up

Schedule a vet appointment within the first three days (this is in our Kitten Contract for instance, in order to validate our health guarantee) to check for health issues, and verify records for vaccinations, and deworming. Early veterinary care supports lifelong well-being. Bringing along a blanket or towel that smells like home can help reduce your kitten’s stress during the visit. (Carney et al., 2012) Furthermore this is an excellent time to discuss continuing pet insurance, and discuss diet choices with your veterinarian. 

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Step 9: Gradually Expand Their World

Once your kitten is confident in their safe space, allow them supervised access to larger areas. Provide scratching posts, perches, and interactive toys to encourage exploration and play. Expanding their world should be done over a couple weeks ideally, ensuring they remain comfortable at each stage. A good way to do this is by opening one additional room at a time, rather than allowing full access to the house all at once. (Rochlitz, 2005). Ensure that all periods of exploration are supervised in the beginning. Kittens can and will get into things you would never have expected. Some that can be dangerous to them (cords and blinds as an example), and others that might cause you difficulty (knocking precious items off a shelf for example).

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Step 10: Patience and Positive Reinforcement

Even for pre-socialized kittens, adjusting to a new home takes time. The good news is a kitten from a good breeder will have many a head start in this way. Be patient and reward positive behaviors with treats, praise, or playtime. Avoid punishment, as it can create fear and anxiety, especially in cats. Some kittens will settle in within a few days(often even within the same day you bring them home), while others may take several weeks to fully adjust. If your kitten is particularly timid, consider using feline pheromone diffusers to help create a calming environment (Frank et al., 2010), but also let your breeder know if this wasn't a behaviour you had been expecting. 

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Conclusion

A smooth introduction sets the foundation for a happy and well-adjusted kitten. By following these steps, you help your new feline companion feel secure and build a strong, lifelong bond all while you creating a comfortable, loving home for your new kitten.

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References

• Carney, H. C., et al. (2012). "AAFP and ISFM Feline-Friendly Handling Guidelines." Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 14(5), 364-375.

• Casey, R. A., & Bradshaw, J. W. (2008). "The effects of additional socialization for kittens in a rescue centre on their behaviour and suitability as a pet." Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 114(1-2), 196-205.

• Ellis, S. L., et al. (2013). "Environmental enrichment for cats." Welfare of Cats, Springer.

• Frank, D., et al. (2010). "Use of pheromone preparations to reduce stress in cats." Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 12(1), 17-23.

• Karsh, E. B., & Turner, D. C. (1988). "The human–cat relationship." The Domestic Cat: The Biology of Its Behaviour, Cambridge University Press.

• Neilson, J. C. (2004). "Feline House-Soiling Problems." Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian, 26(2), 138-149.

• Overall, K. L. (2020). "Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats." Elsevier.

• Ramos, D., et al. (2021). "Stress in domestic cats: Current knowledge and future directions." Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 44, 1-11.

• Rochlitz, I. (2005). "A review of the housing requirements of domestic cats." Animal Welfare, 14(3), 301-324.

• Stella, J., et al. (2013). "Stress in cats: Causes and effects." Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 15(7), 591-599.

• Vitale Shreve, K. R., & Udell, M. A. R. (2017). "What's inside your cat's head?" Behavioral Processes, 141, 15-19.

• Zoran, D. L. (2002). "The carnivore connection to nutrition in cats." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 221(11), 1559-1567.