Behavior of Kittens in a New Environment

Many people love cats. In fact, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association 2009 to 2010 National Pet Owners Survey, one-third of American households own a cat. Some people, however, get frustrated when bringing a new kitten in the house, because the kitten responds with fear or aggression. In order to create a lifelong bond, always take the time to help your kitten fit into its new environment.

  1. Common Behaviors

    • While each cat carries its own personality, they all share certain traits, or behaviors, when you introduce these pets into a new environment, according to the Stanford Cat Network. The most prevalent behaviors for kittens in new environments are fear and hiding. To respond to fear, take the following steps: try to spend as much time in the room with your new kitten as possible; pet, but don't lift the kitten; and scratch the litter box occasionally so that it knows where to go to the bathroom.

    Aggression

    • Some kittens might respond to a new environment with increased aggression. If your kitten shows more-aggressive behavior after a move, Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine suggests ignoring the cat and not consoling it. When you back away out of fear of aggression, the kitten learns that its behavior causes this response, and will therefore show it more in the future. When you speak gently or console your kitten, it learns that you reward hissing and scratching.

    Setting Up

    • When you relocate your kitten to a new environment, set up the new environment in such a way as to mitigate any behavioral problems your cat might show. The Stanford Cat Network suggests taking the following steps: clean a small room, such as a bathroom, for your kitten, removing any poisons and closing any tight spaces where your kitten could hide or get stuck. Place the kitten in the small room, with litter, food and water -- a toy wouldn't hurt, either. Open the cat carrier on the floor, and leave the room, giving the kitten the opportunity to come out by itself. Do not let the kitten outside for a couple of weeks, until it is knows that this house is its new house.

    Predictive Tests

    • For those worried about how kittens might behave as adults, then a kitten personality test, called a predictive test, might be beneficial, according to the "Cornell Chronicle." Veterinarians could essentially give this test to your cat to let you know how they would most likely respond to a moving situation. Cats, like humans, vary in personality traits and respond to moves differently.