Bringing a small, fluffy kitten into your home is one of the most exciting things. They're unbelievably cute, of course, but you might also be feeling a little unsure about exactly what to do first or what they'll need.
That's totally okay! We're here to help guide you through the basics. 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.
What to Expect with a New Kitten
Living with a kitten is quite different from having an adult cat. Kittens are like little balls of non-stop energy and curiosity! This means they'll need a good amount of your time and attention. Not only do young kittens need a lot of affection and playtime to learn good social skills, but you'll also need to watch them closely to help keep them safe and out of trouble.
While kittens are charming and easy to love, be prepared because they will definitely keep you on your toes! Just keep in mind that this super-playful kitten stage passes quickly, and they'll never be this little again. Try to make the most of this special time; the bond you're forming with your kitten right now will last their entire life.
Bringing Your Kitten Home
It's super exciting to bring your new kitten home, but remember, everything is new and maybe a little scary for them at first. They might feel nervous or unsure. Try to be calm and gentle around them, avoiding loud noises or sudden movements.
Make sure they have a comfy, warm, and soft spot, like a bed in a quiet corner, where they can feel safe and secure. Kittens are naturally curious, so give them space and time to explore their new surroundings when they feel ready.
Feeding Your New Kitten
Kittens need different food than puppies do! Cats are “obligate carnivores”, which is just a fancy way of saying they must eat meat and need a lot more protein and specific nutrients compared to dogs. Giving them wet kitten food is perfectly fine, but it's also important to include some healthy dry kitten food in their diet.
When you first bring your kitten home, stick with the food they were already eating for about the first week. If you plan to switch to a different high-quality kitten food, do it slowly over the next week. Mix a little of the new food in with the old, gradually increasing the amount of new food each day.
Also, pay attention to feeding the right amount. Check the food package for guidelines, and try not to just top up the bowl whenever your kitten meows for more. Giving too much food can easily lead to them becoming overweight. Usually, kittens can eat special kitten food until they're about a year old, then you can switch them over to adult cat food.
Keeping Your Kitten Healthy with Vaccinations
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):
FPV is a very contagious virus that can be especially dangerous for kittens, sadly, often proving fatal. It spreads easily between cats, or even if a person touches an infected cat and then touches a healthy one.
Signs your kitten might have it include suddenly getting a fever, losing their appetite, seeming very down or depressed, vomiting, or looking dehydrated or hunched over.
Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1) & Feline Calicivirus (FCV):
(FHV-1) and (FCV) are the usual culprits behind what people often call “cat flu” or Feline Respiratory Disease. If your kitten catches this, you might notice sneezing, runny eyes or nose, and maybe a loss of appetite. Like FPV, these viruses spread easily.
Sometimes, a cat can carry the virus without showing symptoms, but can still infect other cats. Stressful situations like moving house, travel, illness, or even having new people or pets around can sometimes trigger symptoms in a cat that's a carrier.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus:
Another important virus to know about, especially if your cat might go outdoors, is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). This is mainly spread through deep bite wounds during catfights. If an infected cat bites your cat, the virus stays with them for life and slowly weakens their immune system over time.
This can cause more infections and even some cancers later on, sometimes called Feline AIDS. Unfortunately, cats that get sick from FIV often have a lower quality of life.
When should your kitten get these important shots?
The typical schedule starts when they are young. Usually, the first vaccination is given around 8 weeks old, followed by another around 12 weeks, and a third around 16 weeks old. After this initial series, your kitten will need booster shots throughout their life. Your veterinarian will recommend how often these are needed—sometimes yearly, sometimes every three years—depending on your cat's lifestyle and risk factors.
You might wonder why kittens need this series of shots starting at a specific age. When kittens are first born and drink their mother's milk (especially the first milk, called colostrum), they get temporary protection from diseases through antibodies passed from the mother. This maternal immunity is helpful for the first few weeks, but gradually wears off.
Vaccines help the kitten build their long-lasting protection. Vets usually wait until kittens are around 6-8 weeks old to start vaccinations because if the mother's antibodies are still strong, they can interfere with the vaccine working properly. The series of shots helps ensure the kitten builds up good immunity as the mother's protection fades.
Toilet Training Your Kitten
Good news! Most kittens learn to use a litter box pretty quickly. Often, they've already picked up the basics by watching their mother before they even come to your home. Still, taking a few simple steps will help make sure your new kitten gets the hang of it without any confusion.
First, make sure your kitten knows exactly where the potty is. Gently place them inside it and let them sniff around and maybe even scratch a little. It's also a really good idea to put your kitten in the litter box at times when they're most likely to need to go, like right after they wake up from a nap or shortly after they finish eating.
Keeping the cat box clean is super important…
Cats are naturally very clean creatures and might avoid using the tray if it's dirty. Try to scoop it out daily and change the litter regularly. When you do clean the tray itself, try to avoid using strong-smelling chemicals or detergents, as those scents can put cats off from using it too. Hot water and maybe a very mild soap are usually enough.
Think about location, too. Place the litter box in a quiet, easily accessible spot where your kitten won't feel disturbed or watched. Just like people appreciate privacy for certain things, cats often do too!
Now, what if your kitten has an accident somewhere else? The most important thing is never to punish them. Rubbing their nose in it or scolding them harshly won't help and can actually create fear or anxiety.
If you happen to catch them starting to go outside the litter box, give a firm but calm “No”, then immediately pick them up and place them gently into the litter tray. Once they are in the potty, give them much praise and maybe a gentle pat. This positive approach helps your kitten learn to associate the litter box with good things, making them want to use it.
Creating 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.
A fantastic option to consider is the Cat-e-Corner scratching post. It’s specifically designed to protect your sofa from scratches while providing a fun and natural scratching space for your feline companion. Giving your new kitten an attractive and sturdy place like this to scratch encourages good habits from the start and helps keep your furniture safe.
Teaching them where it's okay to scratch is key! 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”.
Making sure they have an approved natural spot for scratching is just as important as setting up their food and water bowls.
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.
