New kitten - crate overnight?

[thescarftwins]

We have a new kitten and he's been home for two nights now. We've only ever had older rescue cats, so wondering if best to crate this tiny Tasmanian devil overnight for a wee while?

He's adjusted we'll to family life, however we have an open plan downstairs and none of the bedrooms are particularly great to keep him in and he's been struggling to use the litter tray overnight.

In the day he's great. Thinking perhaps pop him in a big crate with his litter tray and blankets etc overnight for a while just until he can be trusted in a bigger space.

Happy to be told that's a barmy idea. Also any suggestions on how to get kitten wee smell out of a duvet would be great!

I also know the strict rules. No photo no help - but my phone seems to be malfunctioning.

I'll supply the good soon!

It's a completely barmy idea. There is absolutely no need to crate a kitten and I suspect a kitten would find it very distressing.
Just restrict your kitten to one room for about a week until he gets used to you and his new environment.
Living room is best - so he can spend time in the day interacting with you.

If you are completely open plan - it must be possible to secure a bedroom for him?

I crated my kitten for short spells for the first 2 weeks we owned her. She was semi feral and extremely nervous. I put her in the extra large dog crate if I needed to leave her and dog in the kitchen at the same time. The rest of the time the crate was up with the door open and covered with a blanket. The Kitten was not distressed and would often choose to go into the crate to sleep/escape. As a short term measure it was very useful

Also when I got a feral barn cat from a cat rescue, they gave me a very large crate that I had to keep her in for 3 weeks to acclimatise her and stop her running off. I don’t think it’s a barmy idea

They are definitely better, happier, in an enclosed space to call their own. A small room is best, but if you don't have that, then a covered crate might be the best alternative. Our most recent kittens have always been closed in the conservatory for their first few weeks, and then also chose to sleep in an unzipped cat carrier, up on a sofa. It's mostly about being quiet and calm, and feeling safe, that could be the problem with the litter tray too. It needs to be discreet and feel safe to pee, and also away from where they feed.

No, you can’t lock them in a crate at the time of day their most active.

I changed my duvet from one 13.5tog to three 4.5tog in one cover. I can adjust the thickness we need based on the weather & wash each one monthly for hygiene.

Pop the kitten in your bathroom overnight with a litter tray. Should be fine

What is this mania people have now about caging or crating animals when they are indoors!? They are unnecessary and a stupid idea.

Someone has made a lot of money by wondering "what can we persuade gullible pet owners to buy next"! Houses must resemble old fashioned zoos at times.

Couldn't agree more percheron. Plus unpleasant imo.

We've had new ferals before now, untouched and completely wild, and of course have to keep them in a stable or outbuilding for long enough they accept you as the reliable food source. And I hate doing that, even though it's for their benefit. I can't imagine caging a kitten to avoid a few litter tray accidents.

I also agree with percheron

Thanks all. Appreciate you replying. Not been crated and no accidents. Very happy chap. Thank you. Glad to be told I was bring ridiculous!

Surely new kittens belong in only one place at night - snuggled up with you on the bed?

@MitziK that's exactly what I thought! Sadly on night two I woke up to wet feet where he'd had what seemed like the biggest wee ever on the duvet!