New Kitten Guide: A companion resource for your cat’s first year of life

Becoming a pet parent is a big responsibility, and if you’ve never owned a cat before – or even if you have and it’s been a while– you likely have many questions when it comes to ensuring your kitten feels happy, safe, and comfortable in their new space.

Vetster’s team of pet health experts have curated a high-level resource of the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to caring for your kitten. We want to provide you with easy-to-digest facts – not overload you with information. Kitten care is supposed to be fun after all, and your time is best spent petting, playing, and cuddling! Read on to learn:

• How to get your home ready for a new kitten
• How to socialize your new kitten
• How to litter-train your kitten
• What kind of grooming your kitten needs
• What kind of preventative care you can provide your kitten

There are plenty of questions to answer, and they are best answered in collaboration with your licensed veterinarian. There are so many tips that a vet can impart to new pet parents – particularly around preventive health. This knowledge is invaluable, and sets the foundation for a kitten’s long and healthy life. Consider this resource a companion to those conversations.

Welcoming a new kitten into your home is an exciting time and like any good pet parent, you’ll want to make sure you have everything in place to ensure your furry friend feels comfortable, safe, and like a member of the family.

When it comes to staying safe, there are a few things to consider in order to properly kitten-proof your home. Like small children, kittens are curious about everything, so it’s important to plan ahead.

Stairs

Your kitten will eventually be able to handle stairs with ease, but when they’re small, moving between floors can be daunting; balconies and stairs are falling hazards. It’s best to keep your kitten cordoned in one room or area when they first arrive home. This keeps them safe while they get used to their new home – and their new litter box.

Plants

Many common household plants and flowers can be toxic to kittens. Take special note of lilies – even licking the pollen from their fur or drinking from the vase can be fatal to a curious kitten. It’s best to thoroughly review the plants in and around your home and cross reference them using a toxic plant database.

Plant toxicities are hard to treat, so an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Rehome any severely toxic plants you might have before bringing your new kitten home. Even non-toxic plants can cause vomiting and diarrhea, so it’s best to move all plants out of reach, whether they’re toxic or not.

Hiding places

Kittens notoriously squeeze into small spaces – particularly if anxious about their new surroundings. Reclining chairs, garbage cans, washer-dryers, open vents and open toilets are all potential hazards. Limit your new kitten’s access to these common household threats and make sure you supervise them when they are in environments that are potentially dangerous. Pro tip: set up a few safe hiding spots so your furry friend can safely indulge this instinct.

Chewing hazards

Kittens love to bite and chew nonfood items. Make sure electrical cables, decorations, strings, and small objects are up and out of reach. Twist ties, plastic wrap, dental floss, yarn, ribbon and rubber bands are all commonly swallowed hazards that can lead to a life-threatening obstruction.

If you already have other pets or children in the home, we’ve got some considerations and steps for you to take to help ensure a smooth meet n’ greet.

Introducing cats to each other

It’s best to start by keeping the new addition in a separate room while still allowing your existing cat to freely roam the rest of the house. Use both cats’ sense of smell to help with intros by swapping bedding between their separate spaces so they can be exposed to each other’s scent. While keeping them separated, you can encourage the cats to “meet under the door.” Allow them to do whatever they want, whether it’s staring, sniffing, hissing, or reaching their paws underneath.

When you notice that your older cat begins to ignore the new guy and it looks like both cats are more curious than aggressive, it’s time for a face-to-face introduction. Monitor their interactions, offer them praise, hand out plenty of treats, and keep it positive. Make sure to never force any type of interaction.

Leave it up to them to develop their relationship at their own pace. Apart from making a gradual introduction, whether they become fast friends or never move past coexistence is largely not up to you.

Check out our blog on this topic for more info!

Introducing cats to the family dog

You’re up against some unique challenges when introducing a new kitten to a family dog.  Most dogs are inclined to defend their territory and chase anything that runs away. It’s best to wait  until both animals are relaxed before showing your dog the new kitten.

Reinforce your pup’s self control when he stays calm, and do your best to show him this is a positive event associated with treats and praise. Don’t force interactions between kitten and doggo; if either animal wants to run away and hide, that’s okay. Each pet should have a safe zone they can retreat to where they feel confident the other animal won’t be able to reach them.

The dog/kitten relationship will progress more quickly if they’re allowed to proceed on terms agreeable to both. Only once they’ve proven themselves to be trustworthy around each other should they be allowed to interact without supervision. Always monitor your dog’s body language around other pets and be proactive about redirecting them when they show signs of overstimulation.

Introducing cats to children

While it’s important for kittens to be handled early and often, it’s equally important to ensure that any handling is done with care and attention. This is even more important when children are in the mix.

Kitten’s claws and teeth are sharp, and they’re quick to use them. Kittens (like toddlers) are squirmy and full of energy, easy to drop, and susceptible to injury. Adult supervision is key as your young felines and humans get to know each other.

A kitten’s diet is essential in laying the groundwork for growing at the right pace, boosting their immune system, and maintaining a healthy weight – throughout their life.

So what should your new furry family member eat? The right food isn’t one that is highly popular, trendy, or expensive. Instead, it is one that fits your budget, is easily accessible, meets nutritional requirements, and that your kitten appears to do well on.

How to shop for kitten food

The pet food industry is huge and its marketing engine is loud. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, so we suggest you ignore the advertising and glossy packages. This is especially true if a product boasts “studies” or “research” or unsubstantiated claims – these red flags are easy to identify.

Instead, when you walk the aisles, know that most kitten food is healthy and will adequately support their early needs. If you are debating over brands, you can be more confident in larger food companies. These are more likely to have robust quality control, nutritionists or scientists on staff, and ongoing research to support the nutritional value of their product. A good rule of thumb: find food with an Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) statement indicating that feeding trials were performed to design an optimal product for kittens. In short: your kitty needs nutritious food, not the food that has the best marketing team.

Label gazing

Most of the wording on pet food labels doesn’t actually tell you anything about the quality of the food. Performing real research into a pet diet means finding answers to questions like this:

• Is the manufacturer (not just the distributor) clearly identified and is contact information provided?
• Does the manufacturer meet the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Guidelines on Selecting Pet Foods?
• Is the food formulated by a qualified nutritionist?
• What quality control processes are in place for both the ingredients and the finished product?
• Does the label contain an AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Statement?
• Does the label say it is a “complete” diet, or for specific “life stages”? If you are considering a food identified by life stage, make sure you pick one that is appropriate for your cat’s age.

Get off on the right foot with kitten food by having a quick consultation with a virtual vet. They’ll be able to make food recommendations that are appropriate for your kitten’s individual needs, without leaving the comfort of home.

Preventing obesity

• Start your kitten off on the right foot with healthy feeding expectations. Offer meals at set times instead of enabling grazing behavior from an always-full bowl.
• It’s natural to want your kitten to like their food – but the reality is if they don’t, they’ll still eat, they’ll likely just eat less. That’s not necessarily a bad thing considering at least one in four adult cats are overweight.
• Treats, including pieces of your tuna or chicken, are a slippery slope to poor nutrition. Try to limit treats to small amounts and give infrequently.
• If your kitten begs too much, you could look into getting him a robotic cat feeder. This removes you as the person that decides when mealtime is, so your kitten will likely beg less – removing emotion from the situation, too.

Drinking water

Food bowl empty while water sits untouched? Put the water dish somewhere else, as kittens don’t eat and drink at the same time. You can also try making it more fun: drinking and playing (see bathtub tap) is often a hit.

• Special note: If your cat drinks a lot of water, this could be a sign of an underlying medical condition – and a reason to set up a virtual vet visit.

Contrary to popular belief, cats are highly trainable. It’s important to get a handle early on any problematic behaviors before bad habits form. Pro tip: For any kind of training, consistency is key! Use treats, ensure there are no distractions, and most of all, reach down deep into your reservoir of patience!

Litter box success

We don’t actually “litter train” cats and kittens. Instead, we provide them with the substrate where they usually prefer to relieve themselves and hope it works out. Kittens instinctively prefer a litter box, but accidents (or not-accidents) can happen – particularly in a new or stressful environment. Make sure the litter box is in an easily accessible area of your home that allows your cat to avoid stairs and other hazards. It’s also important to ensure it’s easy for your kitten to climb in and out of.

Clean the litter once a day at least, with a full litter change and box clean every week or two. Felines are extremely tidy creatures, and may start to avoid the litter box if it’s too soiled – that’s when accidents often occur. If accidents do happen, don’t reprimand the kitten for their “mistake”.  Instead, show him where he should have gone, and give him treats when he does.  Be sure to thoroughly clean any outside-the-litter episodes with an enzymatic pet-odor remover, as residual smells may entice him to use that location again.

Why is my kitten having “accidents”?

Review these common reasons why your kitten may be avoiding the litter box. If the problem continues, check with your vet for an underlying medical problem.

• Make sure there is at least one litter box for every cat, preferably with one extra, especially in a bigger home.
• Ensure the litter box has been placed in a quiet, private location.
• Avoid abrupt changes to the location of the litter box or type of litter used.
• Skip the scented litter, which can be irritating for your kitten.
• Think like a cat and evaluate the litter box for anything that could be scary or unpleasant about using it.

Softening the scratching

Most of us have seen pictures of chairs, carpets, and wallpaper shredded by cats. As much as this behavior can be destructive and distressing, such scratching is perfectly normal – and necessary - for cats. Your kitten scratches for several reasons, including marking territory.

Fortunately, there is a way to train your cat to scratch so they get the stimulation they need without destroying your house. Scratching posts are a great way to prevent damage to other belongings. The key is to ensure they are large enough and stable enough to appeal to your kitten – eventually you’ll need one that’s as tall as they are when stretched on their hind legs. Most scratching posts feature material that cats will be keen to scratch, like burlap or carpet. At the same time, make it difficult or unpleasant for your kitten to scratch in unwanted areas.

Kittens can be encouraged to scratch the post by placing treats or toys on them. Praise your pet and give her more treats when she decides to use it.

Containing the gymnastics

Climbing and jumping are natural instincts for cats. Bookshelves, tables, and countertops are enticing to explore, particularly if there are treats or scraps of food left behind.

Cat trees, “kitty condos,” or other feline furniture are great alternatives to keep your cat entertained.  Put them near a window and your kitten will love to sit in the sun!

Other physical deterrents can include tinfoil on countertops, sticky tape on the edges of shelving units, or upside-down carpet runner strategically placed on off-limits surfaces – things that don’t involve actively scaring your cat through yelling, pushing them, or spraying them with water. Physical deterrents can help them learn for themselves that areas you don’t want them to climb are not fun places to be.

The Coat

Even at the kitten stage, felines are pro – and even obsessive – groomers. It’s still a good idea, though, to have a comb or brush on deck to help them out. This is doubly important during the hot weather months, and if your kitten has longer fur.

Comb your kitten’s fur gently and in different directions so you work out any knots and snatch up loose hair. While doing so, it’s an opportunity to be proactive and keep an eye out for fleas, ticks, or any type of skin sore or rash. End the session with something fun and playful so your kitten remembers it positively, making it less likely to be a struggle next time.

For short-haired kittens, consider a softer brush and, for longer-haired friends use a large metal comb or rake. Take the time to try a few different options and see what works best for you and your feline friend.

To bathe or not to bathe

Quick answer: yes. Cats don’t have the happiest relationship with baths, so it’s a good time to get them acquainted with the idea while they are still kittens. Use warm water and see what your pet prefers, your hand or maybe a wet sponge. As always, be gentle with both touch and voice to help soothe their mounting anxiety. Towel dry, congratulate, and maybe give them a little treat.

The Claws

First off: keep them! Declawing is an outdated practice that’s frowned upon by most vets because it’s inhumane. Claws are vital to exercise, play, and marking territory. You can keep claws in good shape by clipping them, which causes no pain. It’s advisable to get kittens used to the manicure process when they’re young, because frequent episodes of trimming are in their future.

Find a pair of trimmers and a comfortable spot for your kitten. Apply gentle control and cut the white tip of each claw. Don’t go near the base of the claw where it changes color, as that can be distressful (and cause bleeding). Take your time and go for small cuts over big cuts. Give your kitten plenty of pets during this salon visit. Do just a nail or two at first and keep it fun, but trim daily so it becomes routine for both of you. The front claws typically do more damage than the rear, so start there and work your way around to all four feet over the course of a week.

Of course, your kitten will want to file those nails on their own terms, so put in place a few scratching posts of different sizes and shapes in strategic spots around the home.

Did you know?

Declawing is traumatic and no longer a common practice. It involves surgically amputating the last digit of the toe,  cutting through the ligaments and tendons at the farthest knuckle. A more accurate description is “de-knuckling”.

The Teeth

Oral hygiene: you can do this. Much like bath water and nail trimmers, toothbrushes are not a kitten’s best friend. Still, once they hit about four months old, it’s best to begin brushing for a few seconds each day in order to stay healthy, avoid dental disease, and keep your kitty’s mouth comfortable.

It’s not necessary to use a proper cat toothbrush and veterinary toothpaste.  Use whatever you find easiest so you’re more likely to continue the habit. A small scrap of cloth wrapped around your finger and moistened prior to some gentle wiping is more effective than skipping the ritual because you find it too cumbersome.  As you choose your battles, focus on wiping the easy-to-reach areas like the big teeth on top towards the back, the canines (fangs), and the little incisors up front; those locations accumulate the most tartar. If you prefer using a feline-specific toothbrush, that’s great too.  Many people prefer the style that slips on over your fingertip and allows you to work largely by feel. If you opt for using toothpaste, make sure to choose a pet-friendly product because your cat is likely to lick throughout the brushing process. Human toothpaste formulations are not safe to consume and can cause GI issues when swallowed. Be patient, practice often, and hang in there! Finally, ask your virtual vet about which dental treats actually help remove tartar and maintain dental health.

As always if you need help getting started, or gut-checking any lingering concerns about the teeth or gums, a short video vet consult can do the trick.

Raising a healthy kitten is the result of decisions you make every day – and working with your vet to develop and follow a preventive health care plan backed up by evidence is a key part of those decisions.

To ensure your feline is set up for a lifetime of good health, you’ll want to build a roadmap with your virtual vet, who will have the latest scientific information around all aspects of preventive care. They will also be able to prioritize issues specific to your kitten’s breed and environment, and help you filter out the noise when you’re bombarded with advertising about what is “best” for your kitten.

When you look at the facts through a filter of solid medical science, these are the most important first steps for establishing a preventive health care plan for your new kitten:

An in-person, hands-on physical examination

While an online vet is an excellent resource for timely and convenient virtual care, your kitten will need ongoing in-person medical care, so it’s important to build that relationship as soon as possible after bringing your kitten home.

At your first visit, your vet will be taking note of everything about your kitty from the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail, as well as how she interacts and behaves. Your vet will use this time to detect potential problems and record what’s normal.

Testing for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV)

Feline immunodeficiency virus (similar to HIV in humans) and feline leukemia virus can be fatal, so early identification of carriers is the best strategy for limiting the spread of these contagious diseases. These retroviruses do their damage by suppressing the cat’s immune system, and intact stray cats are the largest reservoir for these viruses.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners guidelines recommend testing all cats and kittens over the age of 8 weeks at the time they are first brought home and before they are exposed to any established cats at home. Retrovirus testing is also part of the usual diagnostic work-up any time a cat develops clinical signs of illness – and is recommended prior to vaccines as well.

Vaccines

In short: they are a must. Different vaccines protect against specific ailments and different kittens have varying levels of risk. An online virtual vet appointment is a great opportunity for discussing the pros and cons of different vaccines and when and how often they should be given.

Kittens usually receive their first set of shots when they are between 6-8 weeks old with boosters every 3-4 weeks until they’ve had two sets after three months of age. Think you’re covered because your kitty already had their shots when you picked them up? Think again. Over-the-counter vaccines are problematic and even if the vaccines were administered by a vet, your new kitten still needs boosters. Even if your cats live completely indoor lifestyles, they still need to be kept up to date on certain vaccines - both for their health and the health of their human housemates. Talk to a virtual vet to learn the most sensible way to pick up your kitten’s vaccination schedule where it left off. Some common vaccines you should know that help protect your kitten are:

• Rabies – There is no treatment for rabies and it’s nearly always fatal. Keeping pets currently vaccinated against rabies is a legal requirement in most jurisdictions as a public health measure.
• FVRCP – This vaccine protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpes virus), calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus. This 3-way shot is a core vaccine recommended for all kittens.
• FeLV - Current recommendations from the American Animal Hospital/American Feline Practitioners task force call for all kittens to receive an initial series of vaccinations against feline leukemia virus.

Parasite control

Parasites – both internal and external – are common with kittens and re-exposure is a fact of daily life, even for indoor kitties. Plan to both prevent and eliminate parasites as part of your ongoing care routine.

Internal

Most of the time when we talk about “internal parasites”, we’re talking about worms.  Worms present a bigger health risk to kittens than mature cats because kittens are smaller. This makes them less capable of giving up the food and blood parasites live on. The smaller the kitten, the more likely they will develop symptoms when infected with internal parasites. The best order of prevention is to maintain a schedule of frequent deworming and stool analysis for your kitten.

Some signs your kitten has worms are:

• Weight loss/failure to put on weight
• Visible worm segments passing in the stool or from the rectum
• The presence of fleas (fleas and tapeworms go hand-in-hand)
• A pot-belly
• Diarrhea
• Coughing or wheezing

While parasites like roundworms live in the digestive tract, heartworms take up residence in the large blood vessels near the heart and lungs. Even though cats are not the preferred host of this internal parasite, heartworms are still capable of causing severe heart and respiratory disease in cats. Testing cats for heartworm is more complicated than it is for dogs, and treatment is difficult. Fortunately, heartworm prevention is easy, safe, and inexpensive: follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for testing and prevention.

External

Outside the body,  external parasites like fleas, ticks, mites, and lice cause itchy rashes and hair loss and expose cats to the infectious diseases they carry. Mites and lice are usually transmitted directly from one affected pet to another, but fleas and ticks come from the environment.

If you have fleas and ticks in your area (and both are prevalent worldwide), take preventive action. Be aware that cats are especially sensitive to pesticides and many external parasite control products available over-the-counter are not safe or effective. Opting for something touted as “natural” isn’t a good option either, because natural products aren’t effective and still leave your cat at risk of exposure. Getting an expert recommendation can help you avoid wasting time and money on something that won’t work or that could possibly sicken your kitten or other pets in the household.

To visualize the threat of parasites in the U.S. or Canada, check out this map feature made by the Companion Animal Parasite Council.

Spaying & Neutering

Sexual alteration, also known as spay or neuter surgery, is one of the many facets of preventive care for your new kitten. There are a lot of things to consider for each individual pet, but here are some of the most important benefits.

The obvious reason to spay female kittens is to prevent pregnancy down the road – which is quite easy as cats are very fertile and capable of having multiple litters in one year. Another reason spaying is recommended is female cats in heat can become quite moody, noisy, and demonstrate many behaviors that make them difficult to live with. You’re not off the hook with male cats, either, because their urine takes on a strong odor as they reach sexual maturity that can drive you out of the house. The boys also show undesirable behaviors when intact as adults, like marking and destruction of property in their efforts to get outside and roam.

Spaying and neutering are also important aspects of preventive health care.  Surgical sterilization of cats reduces or eliminates the risks for cancer and other diseases of the reproductive tract. Infection of the uterus (pyometra) is a big concern for female cats that is eliminated by spaying, and spaying prior to six months of age reduces a cat’s chances of developing breast cancer by over 90%. Neutering male cats dramatically reduces the rates of  prostate disease later in life and completely eliminates the chance of testicular cancer. Neutering also reduces the likelihood for fighting with cats of either sex, which is one way potentially fatal diseases like feline leukemia virus and FIV are spread.

When is the best time to spay or neuter? Talk to a veterinarian to make this important decision based on  your unique circumstances, but the general rule is that spaying or neutering at 6-8 months of age is best for most cats.

Microchipping

Ensuring your kitten can be found if lost is also a kind of preventive healthcare, because it increases the likelihood they will be reunited with you, their number one health advocate.

When a vet or animal shelter finds a lost cat, they scan for a microchip. Scanning brings up a  unique ID number that can be used to get in touch with you - at least if you’ve kept your contact information up to date. Microchips are safe, use only passive technology, and are excellent and permanent lines of defense behind collar IDs.

Work with your vet on considerations around microchipping a kitten, but a standard minimum age is about two months.

Unless you wrap your feline friend in a protective shell (don’t do this), your playful kitten will probably hurt themself or end up unexpectedly sick at some point. The first few days in a new home are an especially stressful time. You and your kitten are unfamiliar with each other and it’s hard to know what to expect with the change in environment, so urgent questions are common during this critical time.

During the first several months with a new kitten who is younger, smaller, and more delicate than an adult, potential emergencies are a bigger concern compared to more robust, older, and larger cats. It can be difficult to know when you need veterinary attention or if your kitty will simply get better on her own. You might be wondering if you need to go to the pet emergency hospital now, or if the situation can wait until morning.

Online virtual veterinary care appointments are an easy way to get quick answers to time-sensitive questions like these, and virtual vets are well-trained in teletriage. During a virtual appointment, your vet will use their expertise to help you decide how quickly you should get your kitten to an in-person clinic if medical attention is warranted.

When faced with a potential medical emergency, follow these steps:

1. Take a breath. While it may be quite stressful, try to keep calm in order to listen and make sound decisions.

2. Assess the scene. Before you contact the vet, collect all the info you can. Gently  check your kitten and note down everything that appears off, assess breathing, gum color and responsiveness. Check around the house and yard for signs of what could have happened.

3. Jot down relevant details – your vet will have questions about recent eating, drinking, and litter box activities as well as the presence of any symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. If your kitten has gotten into something potentially toxic, have the packaging available.

4. In situations where it’s obvious your pet needs medical care as quickly as possible, do not waste time pursuing online information or care; call your local vet right away.

5. If your pet seems stable and you’re not sure it’s an emergency, reach out to a Vetster veterinarian for an online appointment right away. They can help you further assess the situation and decide what to do next.

The types of medical emergencies kittens and cats can experience are too numerous to list, but the bottom line is this: be aware and be prepared.

Odds are good your kitten will need emergency veterinary care at some point.  Have a plan and the resources to provide her with the care she will need. A good emergency plan address questions like these:

• Does your regular vet see emergencies during the day? What about after hours?
• Where is your closest emergency center?
• Do you have a carrier to safely transport your kitten?
• How will you pay for emergency care?

Pet insurance?

Good question! Unexpected illnesses and sudden accidents can happen, and if finances are tight, pet insurance is a fine tool to make sure your kitten can receive advanced treatments and be able to recover. Facing an emergency is stressful enough. Don’t make it worse by not having a plan and the resources in place to take care of your kitten when an emergency arises. Pet insurance can provide the peace of mind you need so you can focus on the more important details of recovery instead of having to decline treatment because it’s not in your budget.

About Vetster

Every pet parent knows that pet healthcare isn’t a 9-5 job. Whether your kitten swallows something they shouldn’t just before bed, or kitty’s litter deposits are causing concern over the weekend, Vetster has you covered. It’s important that the answers you seek come from a trusted, reputable source. There is none more qualified to provide advice than a veterinarian. At Vetster, we connect pet owners to thousands of licensed veterinarians ready to provide the best online vet services through video chat appointments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Connect with a licensed veterinarian for quality advice from the comfort of your own home.