Newly adopted kitten desperate to wander the house.

[JusWunderin]

Hi all!

We adopted a kitten from RSPCA on Monday, he’s settled so well so far and is super comfortable with myself and the kids, at the moment he’s in my office with several beds, a cat tree/hammock/scratchpost and loads of toys.. but all day today whenever I’ve popped in to see him he’s been desperate to get out of the door, not so much when I go in, but when I leave he wants to come with me.

the RSPCA suggested we let him settle in one room for about a week, then introduce him to one room at a time after that. Is that the minimum? Could I give him day 3/4 full days in my office then let him explore?

I’m starting to feel so sad for him that I keep leaving and plopping him back a bit when he’s trying to squeeze past me out of the door 😂

What are the implications of him not staying in the office for a week?

Let him out, he'll be fine. It's a guideline and one possible approach, not a hard and fast rule. He's obviously ready to explore.

Not on here to offer more advice but just to say that I think we need to see pics of the fluffball exploring , just to <ahem> check that the advice was correct.

I am so jealous! I lost my last kitty 16 years ago, have 2 dogs, DH not a cat lover. All mine were rescues,CPL. I would make sure windows/doors are secure and give him the run of the house. We had a silver tabby just like this..... called him smokey.

What a little corker! Already ready to be the boss!
Looking forward to pics of him exploring as @ooooohnoooooo says!
BTW have you a name in mind yet?

Agree with others, he needs company, he wants to explore, and most of all he needs socialising with his human staff.

A pp mentioned having another litter tray downstairs, which is a good idea. Mix a little of the existing litter into the new tray to make it smell familiar and he will be happy to start using that one as well.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I’ve brought him downstairs today and so far he seems ok, he’s a little spotty when the kids are being loud but who wouldn’t be?!😂

his name is Figaro, or Figgy for short!

His hearing will be super sensitive but he will desensitize are any of them old enough to read him a story. Mine used to sit on their laps for story time.

That's adorable.

@sashh the queen in our house is now 13. She now watches David Attenborough with the older teen, she goes nuts for the eagles flying. The language out of her does being appalling. We did try keep her off the screens for as long as possible 😜

In the early days it was Fireman Sam and fairy tales, she managed to sit through the Harry Potters and some Stephen King recently.

My grandmother used to send my late mum out to read to the cats and dogs so I kept up the tradition. No matter how bad a day was having a cat sit on your lap and listen to a story usually put the world to rights.

@Marblessolveeverything That's a really good idea to get children reading.

I know some schools have a school dog, usually the head teacher's doggo and they have the dog listen to children reading.

Haha, I can visualise you in the garden singing " Figaro,Figaro,Figaro!!

He’s supposed to be in a room with you… not in a room on his own. He’s a baby. Just let him loose now if you can’t keep him in a room with you.

Aw look at wee Figaro enjoying that shaft of sunlight as only cats can! He’s stunning! I have no other useful advice just came to say that

You need to get a cat!! x

Our most recent rescue boy is here 6 months today! We adopt adult cats - can't be doing with wrecking kittens cute as they are!

He got out of his carrier, had a look around and then we discovered his butt was impacted with shit 😒so he had to have a shower within his first hour with us!!! He took it very well actually. He lay happily on the carpet among our family and my sister's family on his first night. My three year old girl growled at him every time she saw him, and then she realised that he backed off when she did, and he was no threat. They are so bonded now - they love each other! They wrestle and play together all the time and groom each other. I didn't wait to introduce them as I did with my first two. Cat 1 still hates Cat 2 and also hates Cat 3!

I'm so glad you set your kitty free!!! We also got told the one week in a quiet room rule, especially since I have 3 noisy kids. But she was a very bold and adventurous kitty, and even when we had visitors over and tons of noisy kids around, she was happiest where the people were. I think as long as they're not too anxious or lost, just follow their lead!

I have a little spare room I use for cat fostering. they stay in there about a day just so I can see they can use the litter tray etc. then I open the door and let them explore all day. I would leave scared/shy ones longer to adjust. Your kitten sounds bold and confident though so I'd let him out more personally. Was he with his litter mates & Mum at the rescue centre? if so he will feel very lonely as he gets used to his new home. How old is he? If you're letting him explore your whole house be very careful of door and window security. We have posters on lots of our doors saying 'keep shut' etc as I also have my own 2 cats downstairs and they aren't allowed to mingle with the foster cats. I have Flat Cats window mesh screens all over my house too. kittens especially can squeeze through tiny gaps. I'm assuming your kitten is microchipped - if not get him done ASAP. Good luck - your kitten is gorgeous xx

Once I get was confident they would use the litter box I didn't confine them. Learned pretty quick though that they needed to spend nights downstairs if I wanted to sleep in after 5am!
I don't get this 'one room at a time' thing.

Ours were never restricted just popped the two of them in the hall put the carrier and they cracked on. Same when we moved. If a cat is scared they will remove themselves and come out when ready. We don’t have any other pets though. As others have said, just be careful to ensure windows are closed or on lock vent only so they can’t get out.

Just remember if you have kids or a partner who come in and out of the outside doors as and when they want to, that if the kitten happens to be nearby it will bolt out if the door and possibly be run over by a car or lost.

They can move like lightening. Plus just now it will naturally want to find its mum and siblings until it realised you are it's new 'mum'. So that's an added incentive to it trying to escape just now.

Cats climb through windows easily. They are remarkably agile. Keep closed or use child proofing in them.

(PS I lost my budgie when my ex opened the window "not realising" it was free flying. I had told him. So these stupid things really do happen)

So if it were me I'd lock the front (and back) door and all the windows so people have to knock to get in so you can corral the kitten prior.

For ages I opened doors with my lower leg and foot in the gap while I peered round to make sure no felines were about to escape before I walked into the house!

If he's the only pet and the stairs are safe give him the run of the house. Ours were wherever we were in the early days.

Yes let him explore. I have always let mine explore straight away, but let them have a safe space to withdraw to if needed. He'll be fine.