INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW

Congratulations on Your New Kitten!

This booklet is your go-to guide for everything you need to support your kitten’s health and happiness through their first year of life. Inside, you’ll find expert advice on:

• Home setup & daily care
• Grooming & hygiene
• Training & socialization
• Preventive veterinary care
• Common concerns

HOME SETUP & HUSBANDRY THROUGH THE FIRST YEAR

A well-planned home environment supports your kitten’s emotional security, hygiene, and behavioral development. Their needs evolve rapidly, so adapt their setup as they grow.

1. Safe Living Environment by Age Stage

2. Litter Box Setup

• Follow the rule: one litter box per cat, plus one extra, to prevent territorial issues and encourage consistent use.

Types of Litter Boxes:

• Standard open boxes: Most cats prefer these for ease of access and ventilation.
• Covered boxes: Provide privacy but may trap odors; some cats dislike enclosed spaces.
• Top-entry boxes: Good for reducing litter scatter but may be hard for kittens or senior cats to enter.
• High-sided boxes: Ideal for cats who spray or kick litter vigorously.
• Low-sided boxes: Helpful for very young kittens, geriatric cats, or those with mobility issues.

Litter Types:

• Clumping clay litter: Easiest to clean and typically well accepted.
• Unscented litter: Strongly recommended to prevent aversion; most cats dislike perfumes.
• Non-clay alternatives: Corn, wheat, pine, paper, or silica gel litters—transition gradually and observe for preference.
• Dust-free options: Ideal for cats with asthma or allergies.

Litter Box Location Tips:

• Quiet, private, and low-traffic areas are best.
• Ensure boxes are not near noisy appliances or high foot traffic.
• Avoid placing close to food and water dishes.
• In multi-story homes, place at least one box on each level.
• Avoid grouping all boxes together; spread them out to offer choices.

Cleaning & Maintenance:

• Scoop at least once daily; some cats require twice-daily scooping.
• Fully replace litter and clean the box with unscented soap and warm water weekly.
• Avoid harsh cleaners like bleach or ammonia, which may deter use.
• Observe for changes in usage that might indicate medical issues or litter box dissatisfaction.

3. Temperature & Comfort

• Ideal indoor temperature: 70–75°F.
• Kittens do not regulate temperature well <12 weeks.
• Provide warm bedding, especially for small or short-haired breeds.

4. Indoor Living (Recommended)

• Promotes a longer, healthier life by minimizing environmental hazards.
• Provides a stable, enriched environment essential for kitten development.
• Reduces stress and behavior issues caused by unpredictable outdoor stimuli.
• Supports consistent interaction, supervision, and preventive veterinary care.
• Ensures controlled access to nutrition, play, and socialization.

Risks of Free-Roaming Outdoor Access:

• Injury or Death: Risk from cars, dogs, wildlife, or falls.
• Disease Exposure: Higher likelihood of contracting FIV, FeLV, parasites, and abscess-causing infections from other animals.
• Poisoning: Exposure to antifreeze, rodenticides, toxic plants, and human food waste.
• Theft or Getting Lost: Unidentifiable or unmicrochipped cats may not return home.
• Environmental Impact: Free-roaming cats negatively affect wildlife populations, particularly birds and small mammals.

Outdoor Access (if any):

• Only via cat-proof enclosures or leash walks.

5. Scratching Behavior

• Provide both vertical and horizontal scratchers to suit different scratching preferences.
• Use a variety of materials to identify what your kitten prefers:
  • Sisal rope: Durable and favored by most cats.
  • Corrugated cardboard: Affordable and widely accepted.
  • Carpeted surfaces: Soft but may confuse cats about what is allowed to be scratched.
  • Natural wood or bark textures: Appealing for cats who enjoy rough, natural surfaces.
• Vertical posts should be at least 30 inches tall to allow full-body stretching and must be stable to prevent tipping.
• Horizontal scratchers can include flat pads, angled ramps, or lounge-style scratchers.
• Place scratchers near high-traffic areas, resting spots, or furniture your cat may otherwise target.
• Use attractants such as catnip, silvervine, or feline pheromone sprays to encourage use.
• Reward your kitten for using appropriate scratching surfaces with treats, praise, or play.
• Never punish for scratching—redirect gently and consistently.
• Refresh or replace scratchers periodically to maintain interest.

6. . Kitten-Proofing Your Home

• Secure electrical cords with cord covers to prevent chewing.
• Remove or place out of reach all toxic plants—especially lilies, sago palm, philodendrons, and dieffenbachia.
• Store medications, cleaning products, and cosmetics in cabinets with childproof latches.
• Keep small objects (rubber bands, hair ties, sewing needles, paper clips, coins) off the floor and counters to avoid ingestion.
• Use lidded trash cans or keep them in cabinets to prevent foraging.
• Close toilet lids to avoid drowning or drinking contaminated water.
• Block access behind or beneath appliances and furniture where kittens can get trapped.
• Remove or secure plastic bags, strings, ribbons, tinsel, and dental floss to avoid choking and intestinal blockages.
• Secure tall items like shelves or lamps to prevent tipping if climbed.
• Ensure all window screens are tight-fitting and balcony railings are secure.
• Use baby gates or closed doors to restrict access to high-risk areas like garages, stairwells, and utility rooms.

7. Daily Care Essentials

NUTRITION

1. Choosing a Complete Kitten Diet

• Look for AAFCO statement: “Complete and balanced” for growth or all life stages.
• Use brands with veterinary nutrition oversight.
• Avoid: raw diets, home-cooked meals without veterinary formulation, unregulated boutique diets.

Veterinary-Recommended Brands (2025):

• Royal Canin
• Purina Pro Plan
• Hill’s Science Diet
• Iams Kitten

2. Feeding Schedule

3. Portion Control & Growth

• Monitor Body Condition Score (BCS) regularly.
• Avoid free-feeding dry food unless directed.
• Treats <10% of daily intake; use freeze-dried meat or commercial treats.

4. Transition to Adult Food

• Switch at 10–12 months old.
• Transition over 7 days by mixing increasing portions of adult formula.

GROOMING & HYGIENE

• Short-haired cats: Brush weekly using a soft-bristle or rubber grooming brush.
• Long-haired breeds: Brush daily with a slicker brush or wide-tooth comb to prevent matting and tangles.
• Double-coated or shedding breeds: Use an undercoat rake or deshedding tool (e.g., FURminator) during seasonal shedding.
• For sensitive areas like the face, ears, or tail, use a soft baby brush or grooming glove.

Introducing Grooming to Kittens

• Begin brushing sessions early—start with brief, gentle sessions of 1–2 minutes.
• Use positive reinforcement such as treats, praise, or play to build a positive association.
• Choose a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
• Allow your kitten to sniff and inspect grooming tools before use.
• Start by petting with your hand, then transition to the brush.
• Increase grooming time gradually and include new body areas as comfort improves.
• Regularly handle paws, ears, and tail outside of grooming to desensitize your kitten to touch.
• Bathing: Rarely needed; only when soiled. Use feline-safe shampoo and lukewarm water.

Nail Trimming

• Every 2–4 weeks.
• Use feline nail trimmers; avoid cutting the quick.

Dental Care

• Daily brushing ideal.
• Use feline enzymatic toothpaste.
• Supplement with VOHC-approved dental treats or water additives.

Litter Box Hygiene

• Scoop daily, change litter weekly.
• Wash box with mild soap monthly.

SOCIALIZATION & TRAINING

1. Kitten Socialization Timeline

• Prime window: 2–9 weeks of age, continue through 14 weeks.
• Gently handle paws, ears, face, and mouth daily.
• Expose to common sounds, vet visits, gentle handling by guests.

2. Litter Box Training

• Instinctive for most kittens.
• Use uncovered, low-sided box for young kittens.
• Praise use; never punish accidents.

3. Discouraging Undesirable Behavior

• Redirect play biting to toys.
• Never use hands or feet as toys.
• Provide vertical space, puzzle feeders, and scratching outlets.
• Use deterrents (e.g., double-sided tape) for unwanted surface use.

4. Scratching Behavior

• Provide both vertical and horizontal scratchers to suit different scratching preferences.
• Use a variety of materials to identify what your kitten prefers:
  • Sisal rope: Durable and favored by most cats.
  • Corrugated cardboard: Affordable and widely accepted.
  • Carpeted surfaces: Soft but may confuse cats about what is allowed to be scratched.
  • Natural wood or bark textures: Appealing for cats who enjoy rough, natural surfaces.
• Vertical posts should be at least 30 inches tall to allow full-body stretching and must be stable to prevent tipping.
• Horizontal scratchers can include flat pads, angled ramps, or lounge-style scratchers.
• Place scratchers near high-traffic areas, resting spots, or furniture your cat may otherwise target.
• Use attractants such as catnip, silvervine, or feline pheromone sprays to encourage use.
• Reward your kitten for using appropriate scratching surfaces with treats, praise, or play.
• Never punish for scratching—redirect gently and consistently.
• Refresh or replace scratchers periodically to maintain interest.

VETERINARY CARE

1. Vaccination Schedule

• FVRCP protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.
• FeLV is recommended for all kittens due to vulnerability; even indoor cats occasionally sneak out, so we recommend it for all kittens and cats.
• Rabies is required by law in California.

2. Parasite Prevention

• Begin monthly flea/tick and heartworm prevention by 8 weeks.
• Common options: Nexgard, Simparica, and the new formula Revolution.
• Deworm at first visit, then repeat as advised.
• Bring a fecal specimen in at the 16 week visit to check for protozoan and worm parasites.

3. Spaying & Neutering

Pre-Surgical Blood Work

Pre-anesthetic screening is strongly recommended to:

• • Assess organ function (liver, kidneys)
• • Identify underlying conditions that may increase surgical risk
• • Ensure safe use of anesthetic drugs

Most clinics perform:

• • Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• • Serum Chemistry Panel

Choosing a Safe Surgical Facility

These measures significantly reduce complications and improve surgical outcomes.

BEHAVIOR & WHEN TO CALL THE VET

Urgent Signs:

• Refusing food >24 hrs.
• Vomiting/diarrhea >24 hrs.
• Lethargy, collapse
• Difficulty breathing
• Swollen abdomen
• Pale gums, seizures
• Abscess
• Open wound

Non-Urgent but Concerning:

• Persistent scratching
• Hair loss or scabs
• Limping >24 hrs.
• Eye/nose discharge
• Bad breath or dental tartar

Behavioral Changes to Monitor:

• Sudden aggression or hiding
• Excessive thirst or urination
• Regression in litter box use