How to Look After A Kitten

Bringing home a new kitten is an exciting and rewarding experience. However, kittens require attentive care, patience, and the right environment to thrive. From understanding their behaviour to providing proper nutrition, a structured approach will help you raise a healthy, happy feline companion.

Early Days: Settling into a New Home

The first few days in a new home can be overwhelming for a kitten. To help them adjust:

• Create a Safe Space: Keep your kitten in a small, quiet room with their essentials—litter box, food, water, bed, and toys. Gradually expand their access as they become comfortable.
• Minimise Stress: Use a Feliway pheromone diffuser to ease anxiety and promote a sense of security.
• Slow Introductions: If you have other pets, introduce them gradually and under supervision. Allow your kitten to retreat if needed.
• Let Them Rest: Kittens need plenty of sleep to grow and stay healthy. Avoid overstimulation and allow them to rest undisturbed.
• Encourage Exploration: Place their carrier in the room and leave the door open. Let them explore at their own pace rather than forcing interactions.
• Provide Vertical Space: A cat tree or climbing pole will allow your kitten to observe their surroundings from a safe height.

With patience and a gentle approach, your kitten will settle in and gain confidence in their new environment.

Recognising Kitten Behaviour and Development Stages

Kittens go through rapid developmental stages, each with distinct behavioural traits:

• 0–2 Weeks (Newborn Stage): Completely dependent on their mother or a caretaker. Eyes and ears remain closed.
• 2–4 Weeks: Eyes open, and they begin to explore but are still reliant on nursing.
• 4–8 Weeks: Increased playfulness, exploration, and socialisation. They start eating solid food and learning from their mother and littermates.
• 8–12 Weeks: Ideal time for adoption. They are highly active, developing coordination, and learning through play.
• 12–16 Weeks: Kittens refine their social skills and start displaying stronger territorial behaviour.

Understanding these stages helps in adjusting training, socialisation, and care to suit their needs.

Choosing the Best Diet for Your Kitten

Proper nutrition is essential for a kitten’s growth and long-term health. As obligate carnivores, kittens require high-protein diets rich in animal-based nutrients.

• Best Food Choices: A combination of high-quality kitten dry food (e.g., Hills, Royal Canin, Pro Plan) and wet food supports healthy development.
• Texture Exposure: Offering both dry and wet food prevents future picky eating habits.
• Water is Key: Always provide fresh water. A water fountain can help encourage hydration.

Avoid cheap, grain-heavy cat foods as they lack essential nutrients and can lead to obesity or deficiencies.

Feeding Schedule by Age

Kittens have different feeding needs based on their age:

• 0–4 Weeks: Mother's milk or a kitten milk replacement formula if orphaned. Feed every 2–3 hours.
• 4–8 Weeks: Begin transitioning to wet food with milk replacement. Feed 4–5 small meals daily.
• 8–12 Weeks: Mostly solid food. Feed 4 meals per day.
• 12–16 Weeks: Reduce to 3 meals per day.
• 16 Weeks and Beyond: Transition to 2 meals per day, which continues into adulthood.

Foods to Avoid

Some foods can be toxic or harmful to kittens:

• Dairy Products: As some cats can be lactose intolerant, daily products can make them feel ill and cause gastrointestinal upset.
• Onions, Garlic, and Chives: Can cause anaemia.
• Chocolate and Caffeine: Toxic to cats and can be fatal.
• Grapes and Raisins: Cause kidney failure.
• Raw Fish: Contains enzymes that destroy essential vitamins.

Following proper feeding guidelines ensures your kitten grows into a strong, healthy cat.

Creating a safe and enriching environment is essential for your kitten’s well-being. A well-prepared home not only keeps them secure but also provides the stimulation they need to grow into a confident, happy cat. From essential supplies to hazard-proofing, here’s how to make your home kitten-friendly.

Essential Supplies for a Kitten-Friendly Space

To make your home kitten-ready, gather these essentials:

• Litter Box & Litter: Start with an easily accessible litter box. Use unscented, fine-grain litter for comfort.
• Food & Water Bowls: Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are best. A water fountain is highly recommended.
• Scratching Posts: Encourage healthy scratching behaviour and protect your furniture.
• Cat Tree or Climbing Shelves: Provides vertical space for security and enrichment.
• Soft Bedding: A cozy, warm bed helps your kitten feel safe.
• Toys & Interactive Playthings: Include balls, feather wands, and puzzle feeders to keep kittens engaged.

Having the right supplies ensures your kitten feels comfortable and engaged in their new environment.

Preventing Common Hazards in Your Home

Kittens are naturally curious, which can lead to dangerous situations. Keep your home safe by:

• Checking for Toxic Plants: Avoid lilies, which can cause kidney failure.
• Securing Electrical Cords: Kittens love to chew, so use cord protectors.
• Storing Small Objects: Items like hair ties, strings, and rubber bands can cause intestinal blockages if swallowed.
• Supervising Holiday Decor: Christmas trees, tinsel, and fairy lights pose strangulation and ingestion risks.
• Securing Windows & Balconies: Kittens can squeeze through small gaps or fall from heights.

Enrichment Activities for a Happy Kitten

Kittens need mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviours. Here’s how to keep them engaged:

• Interactive Play: Use interactive toys like Da Bird and crinkle balls to satisfy their hunting instincts.
• Food Puzzles & Treat Dispensers: Stimulate their minds while rewarding them with treats.
• Climbing & Scratching Areas: Encourage climbing and scratching with cat trees, perches, and scratching boards.
• Rotating Toys: Keep their interest by swapping out toys regularly.

Providing daily playtime and enrichment will help your kitten develop into a well-adjusted and confident cat.

Good grooming habits keep your kitten healthy, comfortable, and looking their best. From brushing and nail trimming to litter box training, establishing a routine early makes all the difference. Read on to learn how to make grooming a stress-free experience for both you and your kitten.

Bathing and Brushing Basics

Most kittens are excellent self-groomers and rarely need baths. However, if your kitten gets into something dirty or greasy, a gentle bath with a kitten-safe shampoo may be necessary. Always use lukewarm water and dry them thoroughly to keep kittens warm.

Regular brushing helps reduce shedding and hairballs, especially in long-haired breeds. A soft-bristle brush or a fine-tooth comb works best. Start with short sessions, rewarding them with treats to create a positive experience.

Nail Trimming Tips

Trimming your kitten’s nails prevents scratching injuries and keeps their claws from becoming overgrown. Use cat-specific nail clippers and trim only the sharp tips, avoiding the pink quick, which contains nerves and blood vessels.

To get your kitten used to nail trims:

• Handle their paws gently from a young age.
• Trim one or two nails at a time if they’re restless.
• Reward them with treats and praise after each session.

Litter Box Training

Kittens instinctively bury their waste, so litter box training is usually easy. Follow these steps to ensure success:

• Place the litter box in a quiet, easily accessible area.
• Use unscented, fine-grain litter, as kittens prefer soft textures.
• Show them the box after meals and naps, gently placing them inside.
• Clean the litter box daily to encourage use—kittens dislike dirty trays.

For multi-cat households, provide one litter box per cat, plus one extra, to prevent territorial disputes.

Vaccination and Deworming Schedule

Vaccinations protect your kitten from serious diseases. Most kittens need their first F3 vaccination (feline enteritis and cat flu) at 6–8 weeks, with boosters at 12 and 16 weeks. Some may also require a FIV or FeLV vaccine, depending on their lifestyle.

Deworming is essential as kittens are often born with intestinal parasites. Follow this schedule:

• Every two weeks until 12 weeks old.
• Monthly until six months old.
• Every three months after that.

Preventative Care Tips

To keep your kitten healthy:

• Flea and tick prevention: Start using kitten-safe treatments from 8 weeks.
• Microchipping: Essential for identification and required by law in many areas.
• Regular vet checks: Yearly check-ups help detect issues early.
• Dental care: Introduce dental treats or brushing to prevent gum disease.

Signs of Illness to Watch For

Kittens can hide illness well, so early detection is crucial. Contact a vet if you notice:

• Lethargy or lack of appetite.
• Vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Weight loss or failure to grow.
• Sneezing, coughing, or nasal discharge.
• Unusual behaviour, such as excessive hiding.

Training and socialisation are key to raising a well-behaved, confident kitten. With positive reinforcement and gentle exposure to new experiences, you can help them develop good habits and social skills. Here’s how to set your kitten up for success.

Reward-Based Training Techniques

Kittens learn best through positive reinforcement, where good behaviour is rewarded with treats, praise, or play. Use this approach for:

• Litter box training: Praise them when they use it correctly.
• Scratching post training: Reward them for using it instead of furniture.
• Basic commands: Teaching "come" or "no" using treats encourages responsiveness.

Never punish a kitten—this can create fear and stress. Instead, redirect unwanted behaviours and reward good ones.

Teaching Social Skills for a Confident Kitten

Socialisation is key to raising a well-adjusted cat. Expose your kitten to different people, sounds, and experiences early on to prevent fearfulness.

• Introduce gentle handling from a young age, including touching their paws, ears, and mouth.
• Play with interactive toys to build confidence and prevent boredom.
• Allow supervised exploration of new environments to expand their comfort zone.

Handling Fearful or Shy Kittens

Shy kittens need patience and a gentle approach to build confidence. Allow them to hide and explore at their own pace—forcing interaction can increase fear and stress. Creating a calm environment with a soft voice and slow movements will help them feel safe and comfortable.

Engaging in play with interactive toys can build trust while making socialisation fun. Always stop handling before they become overwhelmed, and gradually increase interaction as they grow more comfortable. With time and positive reinforcement, even the most timid kittens can become confident, social companions.

Owning a kitten is a long-term commitment that comes with legal and ethical responsibilities. Ensuring their safety, health, and well-being while complying with local regulations is essential for responsible pet ownership.

Local Regulations for Pet Ownership

Pet ownership laws vary across Australia, so it’s important to check your local council’s requirements. Common regulations include:

• Microchipping: Mandatory in most states for easy identification if lost.
• Registration: Some councils require cats to be registered annually.
• Containment rules: Certain areas enforce curfews or complete indoor living to protect local wildlife.
• Desexing requirements: Many councils mandate desexing to reduce stray populations.

Failing to comply with local laws can result in fines or penalties, so always stay informed.

Microchipping and Identification

Microchipping is a permanent form of identification that greatly increases the chances of reuniting with a lost pet, and the procedure is quick and performed by a vet. It’s important to keep your contact details updated with the microchip registry to ensure you can be reached if your kitten is found. For extra security, a breakaway collar with an ID tag can provide immediate identification. In some areas, registering your kitten with the local council may also be required. Even indoor cats should be microchipped, as they can escape unexpectedly, and a microchip is the best way to ensure they make it back home safely.

Importance of Spaying and Neutering

Early desexing is essential for both health and behavioural reasons. Cats reach sexual maturity as early as four to five months old, meaning early desexing prevents unwanted litters and problematic behaviours.

• Prevents spraying, roaming, and aggressive behaviours in males.
• Stops females from going into heat, which can be stressful and lead to excessive vocalisation.
• Reduces the risk of certain cancers and infections.
• Helps control the stray cat population, reducing the number of homeless animals in shelters.

Most vets recommend spaying or neutering at 4–5 months to prevent these issues before they start.

Caring for a kitten requires patience, commitment, and a solid understanding of their needs, from proper nutrition and socialisation to healthcare and legal responsibilities. By creating a safe environment, providing enrichment, and using positive reinforcement, you can help your kitten grow into a happy, confident cat. With the right care and attention, your new companion will thrive and become a cherished part of your family for years to come.

This article was written by Dr Jane Miller