The Complete New Kitten Guide

Most kittens instinctively use a litter tray once shown where it is, because digging and burying waste is an innate feline behaviour rather than something that must be taught from scratch. Place a tray in a quiet, accessible spot away from food and water bowls, and show the kitten where it is after meals, naps and play sessions, which are the times they are most likely to need to go.

Provide one more tray than the number of cats in the household, placed in different locations, and choose an unscented, fine-grained litter, since strong fragrances and coarse textures put many cats off. If accidents happen outside the tray, clean the area thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove odour cues, and consider whether the tray is too small, too dirty, or in too noisy a spot, rather than assuming the kitten is being deliberately difficult.

Kittens explore the world and practise hunting skills through play that includes biting, pouncing and scratching, and littermates normally teach each other bite inhibition through play that escalates until one yelps and disengages. A single kitten raised without that feedback can direct the same rough play at human hands and feet, which feels harmless now but is a habit worth heading off while a kitten's jaws are small.

Never use hands or feet as play objects, even in fun, since this teaches the opposite lesson to the one you want. Offer wand toys, small balls and soft toys the kitten can kick with their back feet instead, and end a play session calmly if teeth or claws make contact with skin, rather than pulling away abruptly, which can trigger a chase response.

Kittens are agile, curious and small enough to reach places an adult cat might not bother with, so a safety check before arrival prevents many emergency vet visits. Secure loose wires and blind cords, move small objects a kitten could swallow out of reach, check that windows and balconies are secured with appropriate screens, and store household chemicals, medications and certain houseplants well out of paw's reach, since some common plants are toxic to cats.

Washing machines, tumble dryers and small gaps behind furniture or appliances are frequent hiding and injury spots for curious kittens, so get into the habit of checking before closing doors or starting appliances, a habit worth keeping for the cat's whole life, not just the kitten stage.

A first veterinary visit shortly after a kitten comes home allows a general health check, discussion of a vaccination schedule, and guidance on worming and flea prevention appropriate for the kitten's age and lifestyle. Kittens typically need a primary course of vaccinations given as a series over several weeks, followed by boosters, and your vet will set a schedule based on local disease risk and the kitten's history.

This early visit is also a good opportunity to discuss neutering timing, microchipping, and any breed-specific health screening that might be relevant, as well as to start building positive associations with the clinic through calm handling and treats, which pays off for every future visit.

The first few months of a kitten's life are a key socialisation window during which positive, varied experiences have an outsized effect on adult temperament. Gentle, calm exposure to a range of normal household sounds, different people, careful handling of paws and mouth for future grooming or vet visits, and (if safe) controlled introductions to other resident pets all help build a cat that copes well with everyday life.

Avoid flooding a kitten with overwhelming experiences in the name of socialisation; the goal is positive, manageable exposure, not forced tolerance. A kitten that retreats, hisses or hides should be allowed to withdraw and try again later at their own pace, since forcing an interaction tends to create lasting wariness rather than confidence.