Before Going Home

Your Oriental will go home at 12 weeks or older — fully weaned, litter-trained, and vaccinated for its age. A little preparation makes those first days smooth for everyone. Here is what we recommend having ready.

Supplies to have on hand

Kitten-proof one room first

Don't give a new kitten the whole house on day one. Set up one quiet room with food, water, litter, and a hiding spot. Tuck away loose cords, remove toxic plants (lilies are deadly to cats), and check that windows and screens are secure. Let your kitten expand into the rest of the home over a few days once it feels safe.

The first days

Expect a shy hour or two — that's normal. Keep things calm, sit on the floor and let the kitten come to you, and keep meals on the same schedule we used. Orientals are social and bounce back fast; most are climbing into laps within a day or two. Keep the food and litter exactly the same at first, then change slowly if you want to.

Feeding

We feed a canned (wet) food primary diet. Kittens eat 3–4 small meals a day; adults settle into twice a day. Any diet change should be gradual over a week to avoid upset. Fresh water always, in a clean bowl away from the food.

First vet visit

Book a wellness check with your veterinarian within the first few days — this is also a requirement of our health guarantee. Bring the health records and paperwork we send home. Tell your vet your kitten is an Oriental Shorthair so they use breed-aware anesthesia protocols if that ever comes up.

Pet insurance

We strongly recommend enrolling in pet insurance within 14 days of go-home, while your kitten has no pre-existing conditions on record. Our 1-year genetic and 2-year HCM guarantees cover specific conditions; insurance covers the accidents and illnesses of everyday life.