Kitten Arrival Instruction
- Buttercup Cattery
- Jan 27
- 3 min read
Congratulations on bringing home your new Ragdoll baby, we’re so excited for you! The first few weeks in a new home are an important transition, and following these guidelines will help your kitten settle in smoothly, stay healthy, and grow into the affectionate companion we know they’ll become.
1. Food:
Your kitten might eat or drink less (or not at all) during the first few days at home. This is normal and usually caused by stress. Appetite typically improves after about 3 days. Please leave dry food and water out at all times until the kitten is around 6 months old. After that, if weight becomes a concern, you can begin offering the dry food in measured portions throughout the day. However, if they’re not overeating, you can continue free-feeding.
Offer wet food about 3 times a day, with approximately 3 tablespoons per serving.
Raw food should remain frozen, and only thaw what can be consumed within 2 days. Keep thawed food refrigerated. If the kitten won’t finish the whole portion, you can refreeze part of it immediately after thawing. Serving it cold is okay.
New dry food can be introduced after 6 months. I highly recommend grain-free options like Nulo or Orijen. There are many other brands offering grain free options now, so feel free to shop around.
2. Adjustment & Care:
If your kitten hides at first, that’s totally normal. Give them time to adjust. Don’t chase, hug, or force cuddles, let them come to you. Toy wands are great for building trust.
Ensure food, water, and a litter box are easily accessible. If you have a large home, it may help to confine your kitten to a bedroom for a few days to help them settle. Spending time with them in that room can help with bonding.
If you’re using a closed litter box, remove the hood until the kitten is confidently using it. If you’re using a water fountain, also offer a regular bowl of water nearby since your kitten may not be familiar with fountains.
It can take a week or two for your kitten to begin exploring openly. Ragdolls are known for being friendly, but like all cats, they can be startled by loud noises or sudden movements. Don’t worry if they run and hide, it’s just part of the adjustment.
Occasional light sneezing is usually stress-related. However, frequent sneezing or heavy discharge from the nose or eyes may need veterinary attention.
Your kitten may not have a full coat yet, but it’s a good idea to start daily brushing early to build tolerance. Ragdolls grow a lot of fur by age one! Also, keep nails trimmed weekly (or at least every other week).
3. Vaccinations & Flea Care:
The third distemper vaccine can be given ONE MONTH AFTER GOING HOME, with the rabies shot 3–4 weeks later. Many vets offer both at once, but I personally avoid giving Ragdolls two shots at the same time due to their sensitivity. Since they’re typically indoor cats, there’s no rush to vaccinate both at once.
If your kitten will be going on outdoor walks, I recommend monthly flea/tick prevention. If strictly indoors, once every 3 months is usually sufficient.
4. Microchip Registration:
You can register your kitten’s microchip for free here:
Or consider the paid option for additional services:
Let me know if you have any trouble registering, and as always, feel free to reach out with any questions.
Comments