π HOME FOOD Blog: Care and Features of Kitten Keeping
Care and Features of Kitten Keeping
«A kitten is an angel with whiskers.»
— Alexis Flora Hope
From the first days of a fluffy kitten's arrival in your home, you take on the responsibility not only for its health but also for the harmonious development of its character and habits. Caring for a kitten is not just about food and a litter box. It’s about warmth, care, adaptation to a new environment, and proper upbringing. In this blog, we will thoroughly explore how to create comfortable conditions for your little one, avoid common mistakes, and lay a solid foundation for a healthy and happy life for your beloved pet.
Life-Changing Decision: First Steps Before Bringing a Kitten Home
To avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure comfort for both yourself and your future furry friend, it’s worth carefully considering everything before the kitten arrives in your life.
Kitten Age: When Is the Best Time to Take It?
The optimal age for a kitten to move to a new home is from 8 to 12 weeks. At this age, the kitten already:
- is accustomed to using the litter box and eating;
- has a developed immune system;
- has learned basic socialization alongside its mother and siblings.
Separation too early (before 6 weeks) can lead to behavioral issues, fears, or health problems.
What to Ask the Breeder or Owners?
Before taking the kitten, be sure to ask:
- What the kitten was fed — this helps avoid stomach issues when switching food.
- Has deworming and vaccination been done? — Request a veterinary record.
- Are there any medical conditions in the parents? — Hereditary diseases are important to consider.
- The temperament of the parents — temperament is often inherited.
A responsible breeder or owner will gladly provide this information.
Which Breed to Choose?
If this is your first kitten, it’s better to focus not only on appearance but also on the breed’s temperament:
- Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Scottish Fold — gentle, calm, suitable for families with children.
- Oriental, Bengal, Abyssinian — very active, love attention, and require a lot of interaction.
- Mixed-breed kittens (domestic) — wonderful companions, often more resilient and low-maintenance.
Which Gender to Choose?
This is more a matter of personal preference, but there are some differences:
- Male cats — may be more independent, sometimes calmer after neutering.
- Female cats — usually more affectionate and attached to their owner, but during heat (if not spayed) they may cause discomfort.
Both males and females can be equally loving, well-behaved, and playful if properly raised.
Nutrition with Love: How to Feed a Kitten at Every Developmental Stage
Mistakes in feeding during the first months can have lifelong consequences: from allergies and digestive issues to growth and behavioral problems. So let’s break it down step by step and carefully.
Age and Feeding Type: When and What to Introduce
- 2-3 weeks — start of weaning, but the basis is mother’s milk or a special milk formula (not cow’s milk!).
- 3-4 weeks — gradual transition to soft food (wet food or soaked dry kitten food).
- 4-6 weeks — the kitten can fully eat wet and dry food.
How to Calculate a Portion?
The recommended daily amount is always indicated on the food packaging. It depends on:
- age;
- weight;
- activity level.
How to Properly Calculate a Kitten’s Feeding Norm: A Scientific Approach
Step 1: Determining Energy Needs
In veterinary dietetics, the concept of Resting Energy Requirement (RER) is used — the animal’s energy needs at rest.
RER Formula:
RER=70×(body weight in kg)0.75
Step 2: Calculating the Kitten’s Daily Needs
Kittens grow quickly, so their daily energy needs are significantly higher. To determine the Daily Energy Requirement (DER), multiply the RER by an age coefficient:
- 2–4 months: RER × 3.0
- 4–6 months: RER × 2.5
- 6–12 months: RER × 2.0
Example Calculation
The kitten weighs 1.5 kg and is 4 months old.
- RER = 70 × (1.5)0.75 ≈ 91.6 kcal/day
- DER = 91.6 × 2.5 = 229 kcal/day
Step 3: Calculating the Amount of Food
The energy value — kcal per 100 g — is always indicated on the food packaging.
For example, if the food has 400 kcal/100 g, then:
229 kcal400×100=57.25 g/day\frac{229 \, \text{kcal}}{400} \times 100 = \textbf{57.25 g/day}
So this will be your precise daily portion for this specific kitten using this particular food.
Additional Considerations:
- Kitten Activity: If the kitten is very active, add 10–15% to the DER.
- Post-Spay/Neuter: In the first weeks, reduce the DER by 20%.
- With a Mix of Dry and Wet Food: Divide calories proportionally based on their energy value.
It’s best to split the portion into 4-5 meals a day until 6 months, and into 2–4 meals afterward.
Add Wet Food?
Yes, combining dry and wet food is the best option:
- maintains hydration;
- improves appetite;
- eases chewing.
The optimal ratio is 70% dry / 30% wet food. However, it’s important that they are from the same manufacturer or line — this reduces the risk of ingredient conflicts.
Teething Period (3–6 Months)
During this time:
- there is a decrease in appetite;
- the kitten may chew on objects;
- avoid giving hard treats or bones.
Recommended: wet food + moistened dry food, as well as special chew toys or “soft” treats to support teeth.
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If Feeding Natural Food
A homemade diet requires a very precise balance. Basic components:
- meat (lean chicken, turkey, beef) — 60%;
- grains (rice, buckwheat) — 10–15%;
- vegetables (carrots, zucchini) — 10%;
- supplements — taurine, calcium, B vitamins, D3, omega-3 (added separately or via veterinary supplements). Raw fish, raw eggs, pork — prohibited.
Feeding After Neutering/Spaying Until One Year
If the kitten was neutered/spayed before 12 months of age:
- switch to specialized food for neutered/spayed kittens;
- monitor calorie intake — these kittens gain weight faster;
- reduce fat content, but do not reduce protein — it’s needed for growth!
What About Water?
Water is essential. Especially with dry food.
- Constant access to clean, fresh water.
The bowl should be wide, ceramic or metal, not near the litter box or food bowl. - If the kitten doesn’t want to drink — try a drinking fountain or offer wet food more often.
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WAUDOG — Automatic Fountain Waterer with Light for Dogs and Cats, 2.5 L
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Is Milk Allowed?
Most kittens (especially after 2 months) cannot digest lactose. The result is bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain. If you really want to treat them — you can use special lactose-free cat milk, but rarely and in small amounts.
Treats: Worth It?
Yes, but with caution:
- No more than 10% of the daily diet.
Choose treats for kittens, not adult cats. - Avoid human food, sausages, cheese, fish — this can harm the liver and kidneys.
A kitten’s diet is not just a matter of taste or convenience. It’s an investment in its health, immunity, and long life.
Cleanliness from Day One: How to Litter Train a Kitten
One of the first questions new kitten owners face is: Will it quickly learn to use the litter box? The good news is that most kittens instinctively strive for cleanliness. Your task is simply to help the kitten form the right habit in a calm, gentle, and consistent manner.
Natural Instincts of Kittens
Cats are naturally very clean. In the wild, they bury their excrement to avoid leaving traces. Kittens begin observing their mother as early as 3–4 weeks of age, and by 6–8 weeks, most kittens instinctively know they need to bury their “business” in a specific place.
So if you’re taking a kitten at 8–12 weeks and it grew up with its mother, the chances it’s already litter-trained are very high.
What to Prepare
- Litter Box
- Not too deep, so the kitten can easily climb in.
- Without a lid in the early stages — so the kitten isn’t afraid to enter.
- Ideally, two litter boxes for one kitten (especially in larger spaces).
- Litter
- Odorless, clumping, natural.
- Preferably the type the kitten is used to from the breeder (check this in advance).
- Avoid scented litters — kittens have a sensitive sense of smell.
- Scoop and Mat
- To maintain cleanliness around the area.
- Regular cleaning after each use is critically important in the beginning.
How to Train: Step-by-Step Guide
- Show the Spot Right After Arrival
Gently place the kitten in the litter box, let it sniff around. Don’t force it to stay — just an introduction. - Observe in the First Days
After sleep, eating, or play — immediately take it to the litter box. These are the most likely moments for “bathroom business.” - Praise Always, Punish Never!
If the kitten uses the litter box — gently praise it. If not — no punishment. Just clean up the mess and show it the “right place” again. Don’t leave it without options
In the first 1–2 weeks, limit access to large areas. One or two rooms are ideal for adaptation. - Problems? Find the Cause
The kitten may avoid the litter box if:- it’s dirty or has an unpleasant smell; the litter is too scented or new;
- the litter box is near food or water;
- the kitten is scared of noise nearby or is stressed.
What If an “Accident” Happens?
- Clean up without aggression.
- Use special odor-eliminating products (regular cleaners only mask smells).
- Don’t rub its nose or yell — this causes fear, not understanding.
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Clean Cat Spray "Litter Training for Cats" (200 ml)
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Play — The Language of Love: Socialization and Development Through Interaction
A kitten is not just a cute creature that sleeps and purrs. It’s an active, curious, and emotionally sensitive being that explores the world daily and learns to interact with it. Play is the primary form of a kitten’s development, and it’s through play that skills are formed that last a lifetime.
Why Do Kittens Need Play?
- Physical development: coordination, muscles, reflexes.
- Mental stimulation: thinking, resourcefulness, observation.
- Social adaptation: learning boundaries, communication with people and other animals.
- Emotional health: reducing stress, building trust, decreasing aggression.
Play is not a luxury, but a vital need for a kitten. Without it, the kitten gets bored, regresses, becomes fearful, or aggressive.
When and How Long to Play?
From 2–6 months, kittens are active up to 80% of the time when not sleeping. Ideally, play 3–5 times a day for 10–15 minutes.
Play should be:
- safe,
- varied (movement, thinking, smell),
- controlled (no wild jumps late at night πΌ).
Types of Games Kittens Need
- Hunting (Instinctive Play)
- wands with feathers, mice, laser pointers (but always end the game with “prey”);
- stimulate physical activity and provide an outlet for hunting instincts.
- Intellectual Games
- interactive feeders, puzzles, balls with food;
- develop logic and patience.
- Social Games
- with people or other cats (in a safe environment);
- establish boundaries, help prevent aggression.
- Independent Play
- foil balls, tunnels, soft balls — anything safe and interesting even without your involvement.
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GiGwi Catnip — Cat Toy "Mouse" with Catnip
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Cat Toy "Windmill"
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Socialization: How to Teach Trust and Communication
- The First Weeks Are the Most Important
- Speak softly and gently.
- Touch frequently, but delicately.
- Get it used to being handled through play, not just feeding.
- Inviting Guests
- Introduce new people gradually: calmly, with treats, without pressure.
- Adapting to Daily Life
- The kitten should hear a vacuum cleaner, see a washing machine, smell cooking — but gradually, to avoid stress.
What to Avoid?
- Playing with hands or feet — the kitten shouldn’t think body parts are toys.
- Excessive excitement — don’t play too long or intensely.
- Ignoring signals — if the kitten is tired or overly active, take a break.
Remember: A kitten doesn’t play because it has time. It plays to grow up.
Kitten Hygiene: Cleanliness Is the Key to Health
Bathing
Kittens should not be bathed unless necessary. If the fur is clean, it’s better to use pet wipes. Bathing is allowed:
- not before 3 months,
- only with special kitten shampoo,
- in a warm room, without drafts.
Brushing
Even short-haired cats need regular brushing (1–2 times a week), while long-haired ones need daily brushing. This:
- reduces shedding;
- prevents ingestion of fur;
- stimulates skin circulation.
For kittens, choose a soft brush or comb with rounded teeth.
Eye Cleaning
A kitten’s eyes should be clean and clear. Slight tearing in the morning is normal.
Wipe with special lotions every few days, using a separate pad for each eye.
Ear Care
Check the ears weekly. If they are:
- clean and pink — everything is fine;
have dark buildup or an odor — consult a vet.
You can clean with a special cat lotion and a cotton pad (not a cotton swab!).
Teeth
Start getting it used to tooth brushing after 12 months, when permanent teeth are fully formed.
Even if you don’t brush monthly — it’s important to at least use special chew treats.
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Espree Kitten Aloe Wipes - Aloe Vera Wet Wipes for Cleaning Sensitive Skin and Fur of Cats 50 pcs
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Comfort and Peace: How to Set Up a Sleeping and Resting Area
After moving to a new home, a kitten may feel anxious: it’s no longer with its mother, in an unfamiliar environment. The human’s task is to make its new “den” safe and warm.
The Sleeping Area Should Be:
- soft and warm (bed, blanket, cardboard box with a throw);
- protected from drafts and noise;
- stable — don’t move it daily.
What Else Can Help:
- a soft toy — creates a sense of “mom’s” presence;
- a hot water bottle in a towel (not too hot!) — mimics warmth;
- a clock or white noise device — soothing;
- your scent (an old sweater) — provides a sense of security.
Health Under Protection: Parasite Treatment and Vaccinations
The best way to keep a kitten healthy is prevention, not treatment. The two key components are parasite treatment and vaccination.
Deworming (Worms)
The first deworming is given as early as 2–3 weeks (usually by the breeder). Subsequent treatments are repeated: every 3-6 months.
External Parasites (Fleas, Ticks)
Treatment begins at 6-12 weeks of age, depending on the product.
Use only kitten-specific products — adult cat treatments can be toxic.
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Zoetis Stronghold — Antiparasitic Spot-On Drops Stronghold for Puppies and Kittens Up to 2.5 kg, 1 Pipette
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Vaccinations
The first vaccinations are the foundation for protection against life-threatening infections.
The modern initial three-dose vaccination schedule for kittens includes shots at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age (in line with recommendations from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) - ensuring lasting immunity against panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, and if needed — chlamydia and leukemia. At 12 or 16 weeks, a rabies vaccine is also administered according to local requirements.
A kitten is not just a fluffy joy, but a living, fragile being that needs care, attention, and time. The first months together are special: it’s during this time that health, character, and trust for life are established.
