How long do you leave a kitten in one room before you let it around your house?

Question

I intend to keep my kitten in the hall under the stairs, will it settle in there or will a "side room" be more appropriate

Answer 1

About the only time you need to confine a kitten to one room is when you are doing a slow introduction of the kitten to your resident cats.

Once the kitten knows where the litter box is, and the food, let them have the run of the house.  Of course, that assumes you have made sure the house is child proof.  In other words, nothing that you would not want a human baby getting into should be accessible to your kitten.

Of course, you have to be watchful when you open doors to the outside.

Kittens want to look out windows, so why would you want your kitten to see only one thing.  And if the hall under the stairs, are there any windows at all?

Answer 2

A side room would be better so he has more space. Also, once he's completely "at home" in that side room, you can let him explore further. Maybe once he has established his own little routine and found his spots in the room (hence making it a "safe zone" for him), then you can tell he's ready for exploring and he can always go back to his room if he needs familiarity.

Answer 3

If you put a little butter on it's paws and let it wander around the house, it will become comfortable much faster. It's like it's leaving it's scent all over the house.

Answer 4

a side room is probably more appropriate if u dont want it wandering round. and you should probably not let it wander around untill it is house trained

Answer 5

I think Andrea E is a bitt OTT calling you 'cruel' but certainly in the case of a kitten, shutting it away isn't really required, it's better to shut the doors to rooms you dont want her exploring! Confining a cat to one room is a recommended technique for new adult cats (i.e. rescue cats) that are more likely to be stressed out by the change of surroundings, and so having one room for them to call their own helps to build their confidence before they get the run of the place, but kittens dont get so nervous like that, so shutting them in isnt really needed unless you have other pets and/or small children. By all means set your kitten's bed, litter tray etc. under the stairs if you're short of space, as long as she can get out. If you've got other pets etc. then you will need to confine her till she gets her bearings (lots of good q's already answered about introducing kittens to other pets/kids for you to read) but give her more room than a cupboard! Cats need stimulation, and I doubt a cupboard is going to be very interesting for her!

Answer 6

you lock your cat in a room?!?! if you do that, you don't need an animal. good lord! that's very cruel. Cats crave lots of space. If you are worried that it may get into things when you are away, then and only then is it appropriate to close them in a room. also, if its got to get use to your home, follow it around, as it explores. if it gets into something that you don't want it to, tap it on the top of its head, look it in the face and tell him "No!" not loud, but firm. Young kitties need the early training. He'll learn your voice and your tone, and will listen. Mama kitties do the same thing (tapping on the head or face, sometimes biting the ears-which works when they bite you too hard- they also make vocalizations to let kitty know that they aren't happy with what they are doing) Emulating what the mama would naturally do (in your own way, of course) is a great way to teach your kitty good manners.  

Answer 7

Any where you put it will be fine for a short while. When it is done exploring it will get out and explore more. While it is learning it's new home teach it to come when called. This will be the most important thing you do. When you feed it call it to eat if even if you are right next to it. When it comes  consistently then it is time to let it roam the house.

Answer 8

Are you going to call it Harry Potter??

I think another room would be better.

Answer 9

My advice is not to use the hallway. If it's somewhere that may have a draft, or will be noisy, or big, or have people coming in and out of, then don't use it. Pick a place where you would want to have your bedroom, but maybe a little smaller. Then, leave it in there for a few hours, minimum, with someone in there to soothe and comfort for the kitten to get to know. Depending on how happy it is, let it into another room, but you must let it find its own way, instead of carrying it. This way it can find it's way back to the previous room, and it will be less disorientated or confused.

Good luck with your new kitten!