New Kitten Owners Comprehensive Guide

Cats are the second most favored pets in US homes. More than a quarter of Americans have realized that a kitten is a great company in a home. 

That said, new cat owners need to learn a lot about cats before bringing home a new kitten and enjoying their fluffy touch and company. 

If you are contemplating bringing home a new kitten, this comprehensive guide for first-time kitten owners is for you. I’ll tell you about kitten development and the nutritional, vet, and other care needs that kittens come with. You’ll also find some practical tips for kitten training and socialization. As a bonus, I’ll mention some normal but weird behaviors you might notice in your new feline friend. 

Let’s start this guide with the basics of kitten development.

Kittens Development: What You Should Know

Cats have small bodies compared to larger pets like dogs. As such, they can deceive you about their age if you go by their body size, and you may wonder when a kitten is fully grown. 

Cats, like other smaller mammals, grow and develop fast. By the time they are one year, kittens are considered full-grown cats.

According to PETMD, a year-old cat is equivalent to a 15-year-old adolescent. By around 18 months, a cat is fully grown and equates to a 21-year-old young adult.

However, before reaching adulthood, kittens pass through a number of developmental stages. These stages have different developmental markers in weight, physical, and behavioral traits. 

As a matter of fact, most of us bring home kittens when they are 8-12 weeks. But it does not hurt to know the developmental milestones your kitty has made before coming to your home. That’s why we’ll explore key developmental markers in the first weeks of your kitten’s life before your kitty comes home.

Kittens at Birth

• Physical development

Kittens are born with folded ears and closed eyes. This means they can neither see nor hear. They rely on scent to navigate their new world, and their eyes only open 7-14 days after birth. They are toothless with pink gums, noses, and paws. The umbilical cord is still hanging and will fall off after 4-5 days. 

At this early stage of their life, kittens cannot thermoregulate but rely on the mother cat to provide warmth, between 85-90°F (29.4-32.2°C).

• Behavior

Newborn kittens can’t walk yet, so they sleep most of the time. However, they can crawl around the mother. If you handle them at this stage, newborn kittens will react by writhing and meowing.

• Weight

Kittens weigh approximately 50-150gm (1.8-5.3oz) at birth.

• Feeding and grooming

Newborn kittens depend entirely on their mother for feeding. The mother also grooms and provides bathroom support. 

A caregiver should provide the required warmth if a newborn kitten loses their mother. A kitten formula should be given in a bottle every 2 hours. The caregiver should also stimulate the kitty to go to the bathroom by rubbing its anal area with a damp, warm cotton ball. 

Kittens at 1-2 Weeks

• Physical development

Kittens will still have their eyes closed at one week of age. The eyes will start to open between days 8 and 12 and be fully open by the time they are two weeks old. All kittens have blue eyes at birth. Their unique eye color only shows by the 8^th week. They still have poor eyesight and can’t see at long distances. But their vision improves gradually.

By the first week, the umbilical cord has dropped, and the ears begin to unfold and are open by the second week. The kitten still has no teeth by the second week, and the claws are still non-retractable. The mother cat should still provide a temperature of around 80°F (26.7°C).

• Behavior 

One-week-old kittens will still sleep most of the time. By the second week, they will try to move a few steps but are uncoordinated. Once their eyes open, they will start to show a bit of curiosity in their surroundings.

• Weight

Kittens are double their birth weight by the end of the first week, around 150-250gm (5.3-8.8oz). That weight could go up by 100gm (3.5oz) in the second week.

• Feeding and grooming

Kittens still rely entirely on their mother for feeding and bathroom needs at 1-2 weeks. If the mother is not available, feed a kitten formula every 2-3 hours at one week and every 3-4 hours at 2 weeks of age. An experienced caregiver should stimulate the kitten to go to the bathroom.

Kittens at 3-4 weeks

• Physical development

Your kitten’s vision and hearing will keep improving in the 3^rd and 4^th weeks. You’ll also notice that the front teeth (incisors) will start to appear by the third week and the canines by the fourth week. Your kitten’s claws are now retractable. A warm environment, around 75°F (24°C), should still be maintained.

• Behavior

Kittens are already walking by week 3. By week 4, they can run and engage in play. Their improved hearing and sight will allow them to make eye contact with humans and react to sounds and sights in their surroundings. They will now respond to play toys. 

• Weight

Your kitten’s weight at 3 weeks will be around 350-450gm (12.3-15.9oz). By the fourth week, this weight will increase by about 100gm (3.5oz).

• Feeding and grooming

3-4-week kittens still rely fully on their mother for feeding. However, they can now be introduced to a litter box and gradually perform some self-grooming tasks.

Kittens at 5-6 Weeks

• Physical development 

The 5^th and 6^th weeks of your kitten’s development will be marked by the growth of the premolars and the molars. In addition, your kitty’s hearing and sight will be fully developed by week 6. The eyes are still blue at this stage, and the kitty needs a warm environment with temperatures around 75°F (24°C).

• Behavior

Kittens can play and run confidently by week 5. Their improved social skills allow them to engage in play-fighting with their littermates. They can pounce and defend themselves. Curiosity about the environment will make them climb furniture and confidently jump down, landing on their paws.

• Weight 

By the 5^th and 6^th week, your kitten will weigh between 550gm and 750gm (1.2lb & 1.7lb).

• Feeding and grooming

Healthy kittens can start the weaning process at 5 weeks. They can be fed with wet kitten food in addition to the mother’s milk. Access to water should also be ensured, and a shallow litter box always available.

Kittens will also start cleaning themselves by week 6 and groom each other in the litter. This mutual grooming serves to reinforce the bond between them.

• Vaccination

Your kitten should have the first FVRCP vaccination administered by week 6. This vaccine protects your kitty from rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and calicivirus viruses. You’ll read more about kitten vaccination later in the article.

Kittens at 7-8 Weeks

• Physical development

Kittens have all their 26 baby teeth by 7 weeks. By this time, the blue eye color will begin to give way to the adult eye color (brown, green, or yellow) and change completely by week 8. Kittens whose adult eye color is blue will retain it. 

The cat’s ears are now completely upright and look proportionate. For male kittens, the testicles will begin to show by week 7. Their environment should still provide a 75°F (24°C) temperature range.

• Behavior

By the time they are 7 and 8 weeks, kittens sleep less. Instead, they spend more time in play, thanks to the spike in energy levels. You’ll notice their improved coordination and agility as they can now confidently run, jump from furniture, and climb cat trees.

• Weight 

Your kitten will weigh around 750-950gm (1.7-2.1lb) by 7-8 weeks.

• Feeding and grooming

Kittens should receive sufficient kitten wet food at week 7, which could be supplemented with dry kitten food. By week 8, the recommended daily amount (around 162 kilocalories per day) can be solely supplied with dry kitten food 3-4 times a day. Wetting the food with a bit of warm water can ease the transition from wet to dry kitten food.

Water should be accessible at all times, as well as a shallow litter box. The kittens are now advanced in self-grooming

• Vaccination and Vet Care

Your kitty should get a booster dose of the FVRCP vaccine at week 8. Deworming should also be commenced. You may want to visit a vet and test your kitten for intestinal parasites at this point. Consider that some cat worms can be passed from mother to kitten during gestation or nursing.

If your kitten is healthy and already weighs 2lb by week 8, you can talk to your cat’s vet about spaying or neutering. Kittens should also be microchipped at this time. 

If you are considering bringing home a kitten, weeks 8-12 is the ideal time to do so. Bringing your feline friend home comes with various responsibilities, as discussed in the rest of the article.

Everyday Care Tips for Kittens

By the time you bring home your kitten, your new feline friend is already weaned and has learned quite a lot in litter box training. Your kitten has also had its first vaccines and at least the first deworming dosage. Socialization may have been limited to interacting with the litter mates, and you’ll need to pick from there to introduce your kitten to people and other pets once your kitty is home.

As a new kitten owner, you’ll need the tips in the rest of this article to ensure your feline friend gets the best in the following areas:

Tips for Choosing a Kitten

Before bringing home a kitten, it’s important to research the available options based on what you are looking for. Consider the following tips for choosing a kitten:

• Confirm that the cat breeder you are approaching is reputable. It’s best to contact breeders through specialized bodies such as The Cat Fanciers Association. 
• Assess the kitten for good health before buying. A healthy kitten should have bright clear eyes, clean, not runny eyes or nose, be free of feces around the anal area, and be free of fleas and ticks. 
• Ensure the kitten is at least 8 weeks old, fully weaned, and has received the initial vaccination and worming doses.
• Check the kitten to confirm that it is the sex the breeder says it is.
• Ask the breeder to let you meet the kitten’s parents and litter mates. This will help you confirm that the kitten is a healthy breed.
• Test your kitten’s personality by watching it interact with the litter mates. Work with the breeder to test the kitty’s reaction to handling. Look out for aggressive or timid behavior.

If these tips work in your favor, you can now bring your new kitten to its new home, which should already be kitten-proofed. 

Tips for Kitten-Proofing your Home

From the breeder to your home, your new kitten is moving from one familiar environment to an unfamiliar one. That means you should prepare your home to welcome your kitty and ensure the pet will be safe living there. That comes with the duty to kitten-proof your home.

Kittens are playful creatures. They love climbing, scratching, getting into boxes, and often take any object as a play toy. Even a hanging curtain or laundry basket can appear as a play object for your cat. For this reason, a kitten in a new home can get into dangerous trouble in the name of play. 

Before bringing home a kitten, visit every room in your home and ensure it is safe for your feline friend. Note, too, that kitten-proofing your home is something you’ll need to be attentive to continuously.

Quick To-Do’s for kitten-proofing your home: 

• Remove any objects lying around that your new kitten can view as a toy. These include plastic bags, rubber bands, strings, yarn, strings, ribbons, and any objects your cat will want to drag around.
• Seal off tiny openings where kittens can go in and get stuck.
• Ensure your laundry basket has a cover and put one clothing item into the washing machine at a time. Check inside the washer and or dryer before putting in the clothes.
• Keep windows closed unless they have secure pet screening. 
• Keep medicine and household cleaners out of your kitten’s reach.
• Place trash cans in closed cabinets or cover them with fitting lids.
• Secure hanging electrical cords with containment ties or strips. You can also consider coating electrical cords with an anti-chew product like Grannick’s Bitter Apple Liquid from Amazon.com. This will deter your kitten from playing with the cable.
• Secure breakable objects with earthquake wax. Cats love climbing onto furniture and can easily drop valuable flower vases or other objects. 
• Ensure you do not keep houseplants that are toxic to cats, or at least keep them out of the reach of kittens. 
• Check empty boxes before disposing of them in the trash bin. 
• Ensure your kitten is not following you when opening doors. Kittens can quickly dash out when doors are opened.
• Protect your couch and furniture from your kitten’s paws by providing your cat with alternatives such as a scratching post and cat tree. You can read more about these alternatives later in the article.

Nutrition Tips for Kittens

As a new kitten owner, you may have several questions about feeding your new feline friend. One such question would be about kitten vs cat food. You’ll also want to know how much and how often the kitten feed.

First off, it is important to note that feeding requirements can change depending on your kitten’s unique needs. Nonetheless, some feeding rules cut across the board for all kittens. Let’s look at some of those.

Kitten vs cat foods

Kittens are in a phase of rapid growth and development. As such, they require a more nutrient-dense diet compared to adult cats. 

Because they spend plenty of energy in play, kittens need more calories to support their energy needs. As such, kitten food has more fats and proteins and is high in vitamins and minerals to support their immature immune systems. It is also improved with DHA to support vision and brain development.

Adult cats, on the other hand, are fully developed and less energetic. For that reason, they do not need the same amount of nutrients as kittens. Consequently, a high-calorie diet for an adult cat can lead to weight gain. 

These differences in kitten vs cat foods dictate the schedules and amounts kittens and adult cats should be fed. Ask your vet what kitten formula is best for your pet.

How much and how often to feed a kitten?

According to the Cornell University Feline Health Center, kittens will require more food per pound of body weight to sustain their active growth compared to adult cats. So, they should be fed more often during the day.

Some specialists in cat nutrition suggest that kittens can be fed ‘free choice’ for the first 6 months. For example, the American online retailer of pet food, Chewy, suggests that you leave food out for kittens throughout the day and night until your pet is 4-6 months old. 

After the 6^th month, a kitten’s risk of unhealthy weight increases, and it should not be fed free choice. This is especially true for neutered or spayed cats. Instead, a meal-based feeding schedule should be adopted around 6 months of age to promote healthy weight.

Generally, a kitten’s feeding schedule should consist of 3-4 meals a day in the first six to nine months and 2 meals per day after that. Note, though, that smaller multiple meals throughout the day are the best option, even up to six times. 

If you have a tight working schedule, consider using an automatic cat feeder like the VOLUAS Automatic Pet Feeder from Amazon.com. This product is programmed to dispense your kitten’s meals in small portions throughout the day, replacing your feeding role when you are not home.

Kitten feeding amount by weight

However, it is crucial to make sure that the meals stay within your kitten’s recommended daily calorie intake. Kitten calorie portions can be determined by considering the pet’s body weight, as suggested in this table by Chewy:

You can also go by the feeding chart on your kitten’s food packaging. The chart shows your kitten’s daily caloric requirements for the specific product based on the kitten’s age and weight. Here’s an example from Purina. 

Whichever option you go for, consult first with your kitten’s vet, as each cat has unique feeding requirements.

Other kitten-feeding tips

• Kittens can be fed with dry, moist, or semi-moist food. Dry kitten food is more popular because it is relatively inexpensive, easy to store after opening, and more convenient for free-choice feeding.
• If you give treats to your kitten, consider them part of the daily calorie requirement. Treats should not exceed 10-15% of the kitten’s daily caloric intake.
• It’s best not to feed your cat a homemade diet to avoid the risk of missing out on vital nutritional ingredients. If you must feed your kitten a homemade diet for medical reasons, ensure you use a vet-approved recipe.
• Some foods are either unhealthy or toxic for kittens. These include onions, garlic, raw eggs, chives, grapes, raisins, chocolate, and alcohol. Note, too, that cats are lactose intolerant and should not be fed with milk. Raw meat should also be avoided as it can cause toxoplasmosis and other intestinal parasites.
• Regardless of how often kitten drinks water, fresh, clean water should always be available. It is best to use a separate water bowl and not a double bowl for food and water.

Going from kitten to adult cat food

By their 1^st birthday, most kittens are considered adult cats and can switch to cat food. Nonetheless, larger cat breeds like the Siberian and Maine Coons mature more slowly. These large cats can be fed kitten food until they are around 2 years of age. 

Habituate your kitten to adult cat food gradually (over 7 days) to preempt digestive issues. Here’s a schedule you could consider when transitioning your kitten to adult cat food:

Any food-related health issues in your kitten should be addressed by a veterinarian, and so should other vet care issues.

Vet Care Tips for New Kitten Owners

Kittens come with an immature immune system. However, nature provides them antibodies through the mother’s first milk (colostrum). The maternal immunity in these antibodies protects your kitten from diseases. Any vaccines given in this period are futile.

Once the maternal antibodies are inactive (around 14-20 weeks), your kitten is prone to infections and diseases. For this reason, vaccinations and other vet care requirements are necessary. 

Kitten vaccinations begin around 4-6 weeks and are repeated every 2 weeks for 4 months, depending on your kitten’s lifestyle and geographical location.  

So, how many vaccines do kittens need? 

It is best to let your kitten’s vet answer this question. Feline vets will follow current guidelines by the American Association of Feline Practitioners to determine what vaccinations your kitten needs. So, it is crucial to work with your kitty’s vet.

Provide regular vet care against common kitten illnesses, including:

• Upper respiratory infections – Sneezing, a kitten runny nose and eyes, lethargy, and lack of appetite are some of the symptoms of upper respiratory infections. Since the question, ‘are kitten noses supposed to be wet’ is common, new kitten owners should know that their kitty will often have a wet nose, but a runny nose is not typical.
• Diarrhea – It’s not rare to hear new kitten owners ask what kitten food helps with diarrhea. That’s because diarrhea in kittens is usually linked to diet, though it can also be caused by stress. Besides, persistent diarrhea can be a symptom of other serious health issues like intestinal parasites or viral and bacterial infections. 
• Ear mites – Ear mites are highly contagious among cats. Symptoms include itching in the ears, sores around the ears following persistent scratching, and a brown or black discharge, often likened to coffee grounds.
• Fleas – Cat fleas are a common problem. In kittens, a heavy flea burden can easily cause anemia or transmit Mycoplasma and Bartonella infections. Kitten 8 weeks flea treatment can be commenced as a topical treatment when the kitty is about 1.5-2 pounds. 
• Intestinal parasites – Roundworms and hookworms are common cat intestinal parasites. Some cat worms can infect kittens right from birth. 

According to PDSA, kittens should also have their first deworming dose at 3 weeks. Repeat doses should then be given every 2 weeks until the kitten is 16 weeks (4 months) old. After that, deworming should be done every 1-3 months, depending on your cat’s lifestyle. Ensure you use deworming medication specifically prescribed by a vet for your kitten.

Considering that cats are long-living pets, investing in vet insurance is recommended. 

Litter box Training Tips for Kittens

Before 3 weeks of age, kittens need their mother, or a caregiver, to stimulate them so they can go to the bathroom. At 3 weeks, you can start to train your kitten to use the litter box. 

First, you need to set up a litter box in a quiet, isolated spot. If a litter box is missing, you will find yourself wondering, ‘where do kitten poop’ while your pet will be leaving tiny surprises in hidden spots of the house. That’s because hiding their waste is natural for cats. Consider investing in odor-free cat litter for your kitten’s litter box. 

To train your kitty to use the litter box, place the cat in the litter box after a meal, nap, or when the pet wakes up in the morning. The kitten may instinctively start digging into the litter. If not, hold the kitten’s paw and guide it to gently dig in the litter or dig into the clean litter with your fingers to demonstrate. Your kitty will use the litter box in no time. 

This video has great tips on training your kitten to use a litter box.

Once your kitten has learned how to use a litter box, any cat feces or urine around the house is a sign that the litter box may be dirty. Alternatively, your kitten may have urinary tract infections. 

In case of a dirty litter box, make a habit of scooping cat waste from the litter box each time the kitten uses it. Also, replace the litter once or twice a week. If you suspect your kitten has a UTI, bring the pet to a vet as an emergency.

Training and Socialization Tips for Kittens

Training your kitten entails teaching acceptable behavior, like using the litter box and targeting the scratching post instead of the furniture. Positive reinforcement with treats and praise cues should be preferred. Punishment or negative deterring experiences like spraying with water should be avoided.   

Socializing your kitten means exposing the pet to people and other cats and pets in the home. Kitten socialization is crucial, as poorly socialized cats can turn out to be aggressive, timid, or display other behavior problems as adults. Socializing is also key in making your kitten get used to handling.

To get your kitten used to handling, hold the pet in different positions and help the cat practice restraining for brief periods. Caressing your kitten should also be practiced gradually. When cuddling your kitten, target the shoulders and the head and avoid the underbelly. If your kitten gets used to handling from the beginning, grooming will also be less stressful.  

Kittens should also be socialized to unfamiliar people, sounds, and experiences such as being in a carrier. You can start by letting your kitten into the carrier at home and then take the cat for short car rides or walks.

The ideal situation is that kittens are trained and socialized before they are 8 weeks old. However, most kitten owners only bring their feline friends home at that time. Training and socialization can then be done by the 14^th week.

Practical tips when training and socializing your kitten

• Cats are playful and curious pets and thus require mental stimulation. Provide enough toys for play, especially the interactive type, like the squeaky toy mouse and the feather teaser.
• Always use a soft and calm voice with your kitten, as well as slow and deliberate movements. 
• To interact with your kitten, get down to the pet’s level or lift the kitten by the chest and hold it close to you.
• When introducing your kitten to a dog, ensure the canine is on a leash and let the feline take the initiative in the introductions. If the dog is barking or the cat is hissing too much, postpone the introductions to the next attempt.

Grooming Tips for Kittens

Grooming your kitten mainly entails brushing their fur, dental care, and clipping their nails. As such, purchasing the best kitten fur brush, nail clippers, and the best kitten dental care products is crucial. 

Kitten coat brushing

Gazing at a newborn kitten may elicit the question, “will the kitten have long hair?” That’s because kittens are born with soft, feathery hair, and cat owners may not guess their kitten’s adult coat type. 

The length of your kitten’s coat will vary with the breed, but brushing your kitten’s coat applies to both short and long-coat cats.

Brushing your kitten’s fur regularly will keep the coat neat and shiny. It will also eliminate any loose fur before matting or ending up on your furniture. 

In addition, brushing your kitty’s fur will help monitor the pet for fleas, ticks, kitten ringworm, and other skin issues. Make your kitten comfortable with the brush by starting early and gradually.

Kitten dental care

Kitten teething happens in a process similar to that of humans. So, it is important to maintain proper dental hygiene with your kitten. 

By 3-4 weeks, kittens will have all their deciduous teeth.  However, you’ll notice that your kitten will start to lose its baby teeth by the time the pet is 3 months old. Since this happens over time, you may wonder how many kitten teeth fall out. All your kitten’s baby teeth will fall out by the time they are 6-9 months, and their adult teeth will replace them by then.

Because teething can come with some discomfort, it is important to provide appropriate kitten teething toys. Work with your kitten’s vet for any teething issues, as some kittens can have persistent or retained deciduous teeth. This mostly happens with the fangs (canine teeth) and can cause the adult teeth to grow abnormally. 

Kitten nail trimming

It’s important to trim your kitten’s nails regularly. This reduces the chances of damaging your furniture. Long nails can also grow into your kitty’s footpad and cause infection. You can gradually habituate your kitten to nail clipping by rubbing its paws on your palm so the kitty gets used to the touch.

Providing your kitten with a scratching post is an important part of nail grooming. It also constitutes part of the requirements for kitten enrichment.

Stuff your kitten will need to be happy

Provide your pet with the necessary environmental stimuli to promote its natural instincts. This is key in enhancing a kitten’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.

There are a number of kitten enrichment requirements that every new kitten owner should provide. These include:

Toys, tunnels, or boxes that kittens can climb into are other practical enrichment options. Providing these opportunities will keep your cat from improvising by climbing other spaces like curtains and bookshelves. 

Note that the absence of kitten enrichment provisions can accentuate natural but weird behaviors that cat owners often worry about.

Natural but Weird Kitten Behaviors You Should Know About

Cats can portray strange behavior sometimes. For example, you may have heard of cat owners who say they have a kitten who hops like a bunny. 

While some of these behaviors may seem weird for first-time kitten owners, many of them are instinctual to your cat. You only need to know about them. 

Here are some kitten behaviors you might find weird but are natural to your cat:

Night activity

It’s not rare to see your cat go wild and start zooming around in the middle of the night. This can be scary for first-time kitten owners. 

The only explanation for this is that cats are naturally nocturnal creatures. You can stop the occurrence of kitten night activity by playing with your pet during the day. This will make the kitten spend plenty of energy and sleep soundly at night. 

Marking behavior

Just like dogs, cats love to mark their territory. They will do this using different behaviors, including rubbing their face or body on people and things, scratching, or urine marking. 

You can control marking behavior in your kitten through early litterbox training and providing energy outlets like scratching posts. If your cat is urine marking, train the pet out of it and ensure you clean any spot the pet has marked, so no odor is left.

Hiding in boxes

Cats have a natural liking for climbing into boxes or containers. Some will even get into trouble by crawling into tiny spaces and getting stuck. This behavior is considered part of feline predatory behavior. 

It is best to provide your kitten with a box or bag where they can hide while you know they are there. Hiding in any space they find, such as a washing machine or dryer, can be risky. Train your kitten to hide in the spaces you provide, so the pet does not look for alternatives.

The need to knead

Kneading is when a kitten presses its claws and paws onto you or a companion pet. It is a sign of affection that cats use when nursing and is often repeated with humans. While this behavior may seem strange, you should read it as your cat’s attempt to bond with you.