New kitten

[christmastimemistletoeandwines]

Brought kitten home today. Shes been here for about 5 hours. She’s gorgeous the runt of the litter so fairly small - she’s 9 weeks old.

Shes in a kitten proofed room with the same litter the breeder used, same food and fresh water. We’ve got a couple of hidey bed things and blankets including one from her home which she’d been sleeping on with her litter mates.

So far she’s been under the sofa and only comes out when we leave the room and even then only very briefly.

How do I encourage her to eat? I understand she might hide away for a while but I’m concerned she’s not had any food!

Sorry can’t pay the cat tax yet as no good photos due to her being hidden

Do you have a fishing rod toy? Pretty much irresistible to kittens.

She is with you 5 hours ! She will eat when she's hungry.
Just leave her be to explore and get to know the room by herself and leave food out and litter tray etc.
I would not recommend making the living room her "starting room". Do you have a quieter one she can begin in? Ideally you'll leave her in the one quiet room for a few days as she gets to know the place (and you) but that doesn't work if you are in and out all the time.

Yabu not to have any photos though!!

She’s not in the living room, she’s in what was the playroom but kids are now teens so she can have complete peace and quiet - just don’t want her to be lonely.

I think I’m overthinking as want to get it right and be a good cat parent

She’s fine, just leave her alone for now, she’ll likely come out a bit overnight and more tomorrow.

Then that sounds perfect. She will be very shy most likely to start with. Just leave food, water and litter tray all within easy reach and just leave her to it. She needs to gain confidence in her new surroundings. To be honest I'd just leave her now and pop back in later this evening and see how she is. It's a massive change for her so don't worry too much.
If she's a nervous kitten you can always try a Feliway plug but I'd say just give her a day or two

Update in case anyone is reading. She’s come out, eaten weed and pooped. Getting very brave I can see already she’s going to be mischievous

Added cat tax I think!

Clearly the perfect settling in process. Enjoy.

😻 she’s adorable

She’s eaten weed? 😃

That definitely needed a comma 😹. Nevertheless happy that she is settling in ❤️

Why didn't you adopt a rescue cat or kitten?

Glad to hear OP

Why didn’t you avoid giving unsolicited advice?