NovaVelle

Expert Feline Behavior Consultations at NovaVelle

NovaVelle has our own Feline Behavioral & Training Consultant.

Adrienne has completed sereral feline classes and has graudated from Animal Behavior Institiue. The Feline Behavioral & Training Courses covered everything from behaivoral problems, nutrition, training and even first-aid.

For more information on other classes that have been completed you can visit our Information page. We offer free consulting to our clients that purchase a Turkish Angora from either locations.

We are excited to offer this service to our clientele.

If you are seeking assistance but are not a client of NovaVelle, Adrienne is available to help. Please email her at novavelle.adrie@gmail.com to request more information. She will provide a link to gather details about the issues you are experiencing with your cats.

A consultation fee applies, which includes an initial assessment (via a provided link), a video or phone call to discuss the issue, a customized correction plan, and follow-up calls for continued support.

GPS -Fitbark – www.fitbark.com – Use promo code JZ427E for a free month of service.

Kitty Lawn – Great for indoor cats – http://www.kittylawn.com

Bringing Your New Kitten Home: The First 72 Hours

Bringing home a new kitten is an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming for your new family member. Everything they have known—their mother, littermates, familiar smells, and routines—has suddenly changed.

During the first 72 hours, your primary goal should be helping your kitten feel safe and secure.

What to Expect

Many kittens will:

  • Explore cautiously
  • Sleep more than usual
  • Eat less for the first day or two
  • Cry or call for littermates
  • Hide periodically
  • Follow their new owner closely

What You Should Do

  • Keep your kitten in a designated safe room initially.
  • Offer food, water, and a clean litter box.
  • Allow your kitten to approach you at their own pace.
  • Maintain a calm, quiet environment.
  • Provide plenty of rest opportunities.

What to Avoid

  • Introducing the entire house immediately.
  • Inviting many visitors.
  • Forcing interactions.
  • Allowing unsupervised access to other pets.

Remember, your kitten is not being shy or unfriendly—they are learning that their new home is safe.

Setting Up a Safe Room for Your New Kitten

A safe room gives your kitten a secure place to adjust before exploring the rest of the home.

Ideal Safe Room Setup

Essentials

  • Litter box
  • Food dish
  • Water bowl or fountain
  • Comfortable bed
  • Scratching post
  • Toys
  • Hiding spots

Good Room Choices

  • Spare bedroom
  • Home office
  • Guest room

Avoid high-traffic areas if possible.

Why Safe Rooms Work

A smaller space helps kittens:

  • Learn where their resources are located
  • Feel secure
  • Build confidence gradually
  • Prevent accidents or injuries

Many kittens gain confidence much faster when given a manageable space first.

How Long Does It Take a Kitten to Adjust?

Every kitten is different.

Some kittens settle in within hours, while others may need several weeks.

A commonly used guideline is:

The 3-3-3 Rule

First 3 Days

Your kitten may:

  • Be cautious
  • Hide frequently
  • Sleep more
  • Eat less

First 3 Weeks

Your kitten begins:

  • Learning routines
  • Exploring more confidently
  • Building trust
  • Showing their personality

First 3 Months

Your kitten usually:

  • Feels fully at home
  • Establishes relationships with family members
  • Adapts to household routines

Confident kittens may adjust quickly, while sensitive kittens may require additional time and patience.

Introducing a New Kitten to Resident Cats

Proper introductions greatly increase the likelihood of long-term success.

Step 1: Separate Initially

Keep the new kitten in a safe room for several days while resident cats adjust to their scent.

Step 2: Scent Exchange

Exchange:

  • Blankets
  • Beds
  • Toys

This allows cats to become familiar with each other without direct contact.

Step 3: Controlled Visual Introductions

Use:

  • Baby gates
  • Screen barriers
  • Cracked doors

Reward calm behavior with treats and praise.

Step 4: Supervised Meetings

Allow short, positive interactions while supervising closely.

Normal Reactions

You may see:

  • Hissing
  • Growling
  • Staring
  • Mild avoidance

These are normal communication behaviors and do not necessarily indicate future problems.

Signs to Slow Down

  • Chasing
  • Cornering
  • Swatting with intent to harm
  • Persistent fear

Successful introductions often take days to weeks, not hours.

Introducing a Kitten to Dogs

Many kittens and dogs become wonderful companions when introductions are handled carefully.

Before the Introduction

Ensure your dog:

  • Understands basic commands
  • Can remain calm around distractions
  • Has appropriate impulse control

First Meetings

Keep your dog:

  • Leashed
  • Calm
  • Rewarded for appropriate behavior

Allow the kitten to choose whether to approach.

Provide Escape Routes

Kittens should always have access to:

  • Cat trees
  • Shelves
  • Baby-gated areas
  • Separate rooms

The kitten should never feel trapped.

Watch Body Language

Positive signs:

  • Curiosity
  • Relaxed posture
  • Gentle sniffing

Concerning signs:

  • Stiff body language
  • Fixated staring
  • Lunging
  • Chasing

Patience is critical. Relationships develop over time.

Common First-Week Behaviors and What They Mean

Hiding

Meaning: Your kitten is adjusting and seeking security.

Sleeping Frequently

Meaning: Growing kittens require significant rest, often 16–20 hours per day.

Following You Everywhere

Meaning: Your kitten is bonding and views you as a source of safety.

Vocalizing at Night

Meaning: Your kitten may miss littermates and familiar surroundings.

Zoomies

Meaning: Normal bursts of energy and play behavior.

Kneading

Meaning: Comfort and contentment.

Exploring Everything

Meaning: Healthy curiosity and confidence-building.

Most first-week behaviors are normal and temporary as your kitten learns about their new environment.

Why Your New Kitten May Hide

One of the most common concerns new owners have is that their kitten hides.

In most cases, hiding is completely normal.

Why Kittens Hide

Hiding helps kittens:

  • Feel safe
  • Reduce stress
  • Observe their surroundings
  • Adjust at their own pace

From a kitten’s perspective, a new home contains:

  • New people
  • New smells
  • New sounds
  • New routines

Hiding allows them to process all of this information safely.

How to Help

  • Sit quietly in the room.
  • Speak softly.
  • Offer treats nearby.
  • Use toys to encourage interaction.
  • Let the kitten approach you.

What Not to Do

  • Pull the kitten from hiding spots.
  • Force physical contact.
  • Chase the kitten.

Trust develops through positive experiences and patience.

When to Contact Your Breeder or Veterinarian

Seek advice if your kitten:

  • Refuses food for more than 24 hours
  • Shows signs of illness
  • Has diarrhea lasting more than a day
  • Appears lethargic
  • Remains extremely fearful for an extended period

Most kittens simply need time, patience, and reassurance to discover that their new home is a safe and loving place.