The first fortnight sets the tone for your kitten’s life with you. Keep it calm, predictable and small — kittens feel safest with a little territory they can learn completely.
Set up a base room
Before your kitten arrives, prepare one quiet room with a litter tray, food and water (well apart from the tray), a hiding place, a scratching post and a warm bed. Let your kitten explore the rest of the house gradually over the following week.
Feeding
Keep feeding the same food the breeder or shelter used for at least the first week, then switch slowly over seven to ten days if you want to change. Kittens need several small meals a day of a complete kitten food.
The first vet visit
- A full health check and weight
- Vaccinations (usually at around 9 and 12 weeks)
- Worming and flea treatment
- A microchip, if not already done
- A chat about neutering, usually from four months
Meeting other pets
Swap bedding so resident pets learn the kitten’s scent before they meet. Keep first meetings short, supervised and through a baby gate or cracked door.
Many common houseplants and cut flowers are toxic to cats. Before your kitten arrives, remove any lilies and check your plants against our toxic plant index.
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Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
