Welcoming a New Kitten: What Every Pet Parent Should Know
As a first-time kitten owner, you probably have plenty of questions. At Whittington Veterinary Clinic, we’re here to provide clear, trustworthy, and medically sound guidance to help your kitten grow up healthy, happy, and well cared for. We've compiled a list of common kitten questions and answers to guide you through early care and set the foundation for lifelong health.
What’s the most important thing to know about raising a healthy kitten?
Kittens should stay with their mother until at least 6–8 weeks of age. Once your new kitten is ready to come home, it’s essential to start them off strong with a veterinary checkup, vaccinations, and parasite prevention. If your kitten came from a stray or outdoor environment, they may also need testing for certain contagious diseases.
We recommend scheduling a vet visit as soon as possible to ensure a healthy start. During that first appointment, we’ll guide you on nutrition, litter box setup, and preventive care—so you can feel confident giving your new best friend a happy, healthy life.
What’s the right way to pick up a kitten?
Always pick up your kitten in a way that makes them feel safe and supported. Gently scoop them from underneath, supporting their chest and hindquarters, and hold them close to your body to help them feel secure. Avoid letting their legs dangle or lifting them by the scruff without body support, as this can cause discomfort and stress.
Every kitten is different, so take the time to learn what handling style your cat prefers—and be gentle, calm, and patient as they adjust to being held.
How Can I Tell if My Kitten Is Happy and Healthy?
A happy, healthy kitten spends most of their time either playing or sleeping. They’re naturally curious and energetic, often waking from naps ready to explore. A playful kitten with a good appetite and regular litter box habits is usually on the right track!
Signs something may be wrong include:
- Decreased appetite or energy
- Hiding or avoiding people
- Changes in litter box use
How Should I Feed My Kitten?
We recommend offering a mix of wet and dry food. Wet food better mimics a cat’s natural diet and helps with hydration—especially important since many cats don’t drink enough water.
Young kittens can have access to food throughout the day, but as they grow, switch to measured meals to help prevent obesity. We’re happy to guide you on the right portion sizes and feeding schedule for your kitten’s age and needs. And always make sure fresh, clean water is available at all times.
What are some products I might need for my kitten?
We recommend doing some shopping before bringing your new kitten home. You'll need the following supplies:
- Dry and canned kitten food
- Dishes for food and water
- Kitty litter
- Litter box with low sides
- Kitten toys
- A soft, comfy bed
- Horizontal and vertical scratching posts
What Should I Know About Kitten Behavior?
Every kitten has a unique personality, but most are playful, curious, and full of energy—especially at night! To help prevent late-night zoomies, try engaging your kitten in active play before bedtime.
Behaviors like nipping or swatting are common but should be gently redirected. Offer appropriate toys to teach them what’s okay to bite or scratch.
How Soon Should I Bring My New Kitten to the Vet?
The sooner, the better! We recommend scheduling a checkup within the first few days of bringing your kitten home. Early visits allow us to start their vaccine series, check for parasites, and create a personalized preventive care plan.
We’ll also screen for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)—two contagious viruses that can weaken a cat’s immune system. Catching these early helps us manage their long-term health.
Your kitten will also be started on safe, effective flea and tick prevention to protect them from day one.
How Can I Get the Most Out of My Kitten’s First Vet Visit?
Come prepared with any questions or concerns—no matter how small they may seem. Noting behavior, appetite, or litter box habits ahead of time can be helpful.
At your first visit, we’ll cover key topics like vaccinations, parasite prevention, nutrition, and spaying or neutering. We’ll also ask about your kitten’s expected lifestyle (indoor vs. outdoor) to tailor their care plan.
What will a veterinarian look for during my initial kitten care visit?
During your initial kitten care visit, we'll look for several things. We will perform a full physical exam to assess your kitten's overall condition. Certain health problems are common in kittens, so we will look for signs of those issues.
During your kitten's first visit, we will:
- Check their eyes, ears, and nose
- Look for signs of respiratory viruses
- Listen to their heart and lungs
- Examine their teeth and gums
- Make sure the roof of their mouth has properly formed
- Check for hernias
- Palpate the abdomen to feel the organs
We may also ask you to bring in a fecal sample so we can check for intestinal parasites. We'll look your kitty over for fleas and ticks, too.
When Should My Kitten Get Vaccinated?
Kittens typically begin their vaccine series around 8 weeks of age, with boosters given at 12 and 16 weeks, and again at 1 year. After that, they’ll need annual boosters to stay protected.
Core vaccines include FVRCP (feline viral diseases), feline leukemia (FeLV), and rabies. Depending on your kitten’s lifestyle—such as going outdoors or being around other cats—we may also recommend additional vaccines to keep them safe.
What are some early signs and symptoms of health issues in your kitten?
Sneezing, watery eyes, and stuffy noses are common signs of upper respiratory infections, which are common in kittens.
Other signs of health issues in kittens include:
- Decreased appetite
- Decreased energy levels
- Diarrhea
- Not using the litter box
- Fever
- Dehydration
Because kittens are so tiny, it's vital to contact us immediately when something is out of the ordinary.
We’re here to help you give your kitten the healthiest start in life.
If you’ve recently welcomed a new kitten, give us a call at (337) 893-8522 to schedule their first visit. Our friendly team at Whittington Veterinary Clinic is excited to meet your new kitten.