Bringing home a fluffy kitten is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. We've covered the essential information you'll want to know for welcoming your new feline member, covering important care tips and the kinds of accessories and toys that can help everyone get used to the new situation more easily.
1. Know What to Expect
- Kittens = endless energy + curiosity.
- They need lots of play, affection, and supervision.
- This playful stage passes quickly, so enjoy it while it lasts
2. Create a Safe Home Space
- Set up a cozy bed in a quiet corner.
- Keep things calm at first, no loud noises or sudden movements…
- Let your kitten explore when they feel ready.
3. Feed Them Right
- Kittens need protein-rich kitten food (wet + dry).
- Stick with their current food for the first week, then switch gradually.
- Follow feeding guidelines and never overfill the bowl.
- Keep them on kitten food until around 1 year old.
4. Keep Vaccinations on Schedule
Vaccinations are a very important part of keeping your new kitten healthy. The main shots help protect them from several serious and common cat illnesses. These usually include Feline Panleukopenia (sometimes called Feline Distemper), Feline Herpesvirus, and Feline Calicivirus.
- Feline Panleukopenia (FPV): highly contagious, dangerous for kittens.
- Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1) & Feline Calicivirus (FCV): “cat flu” symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, loss of appetite.
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): spreads through deep bites, weakens the immune system.
- Typical vaccine schedule: 8, 12, and 16 weeks, then regular boosters (always ask your vet).
5. Start Litter Training Early
- Show them the litter box and place them in it after naps/meals.
- Keep it clean, scoop daily and wash with mild soap.
- Place the box in a quiet, private spot.
- Never punish accidents, redirect gently, and praise success.
6. Provide a Natural Scratching Space for Your Kitten
Kittens have a strong natural urge to scratch because it helps them stretch, keep their claws healthy, and mark their territory. To prevent them from choosing your furniture for this activity, it's very important to provide them with their own designated scratching spot.
- Offer a sisal scratching mat or a Cat-e-Corner furniture scratch protector.
-
Encourage scratching in the right spot to protect your sofa and build good habits. For extra helpful tips on this, we covered how to train your kitten using a Cat-e-Corner in a previous article, “Training Your Kitten to Use The Cat-e-Corner”.
Final Thoughts
Raising a kitten takes patience and work, there's no doubt about it. But the payoff is huge, years filled with love, funny moments, and the joy of watching your little feline grow from a small fuzzball into an adult cat.
With the basic information we've covered, you should now feel more prepared to welcome your new kitten and give them a fantastic start in a loving home.
