Caring for Kittens: A Beginner's Guide
If you're preparing to adopt a kitten but haven't brought it home yet, we highly recommend reading this detailed guide on kitten care! This article covers how to care for kittens at one and two months old, including feeding routines, diet advice, and other essential tips for raising healthy kittens.
Before making your decision, visit a few pet stores or spend time interacting with kittens from friends' homes or adoption centers. Adopting a cat is a long-term commitment—often more than a decade—and caring for kittens requires more attention and patience than caring for adult cats.
If you already have one or more young kittens and still feel unsure about how to look after them, this article's details and resources will help you get started quickly and enjoy the process of raising your kittens.
Kittens grow very quickly, and behavioral issues can develop or worsen before you even notice. This can affect both the kitten's emotional and physical wellbeing—and cause stress for you as well. By learning proper kitten care early, you'll build a happy, healthy bond that lasts for years.
New Cat Owner? Are You Ready to Care for a Kitten?
Mindset and Preparation Before Raising a Kitten
Raising a kitten is a lot like becoming a parent — your life will no longer be just your own. Some people think cats are completely independent, elegant decorations, or creatures that can take care of themselves. Others believe that having a cat means the cat accompanies them, but they don't need to devote much effort in return. In reality, none of these assumptions are entirely true.
Many first-time kitten owners are teenagers or young adults in their twenties — still at an age not yet ready to take full responsibility for another life, much less care for a vulnerable kitten. However, many owners grow rapidly in maturity after taking in a kitten. They start reading articles, consulting books, and doing their homework, eventually building a happy life with their feline companion.
Sometimes, a kitten's arrival is completely unexpected. But as long as you're willing to invest time and energy, treat this little life with love, and do your best to provide the best living conditions within your ability, that already makes you a wonderful and responsible cat owner.
How to Arrange the Environment for Caring for Kittens
When it comes to caring for kittens, few people move to a new home just for their pets. So whatever living space you currently have—whether it's a studio, shared room, or a multi-story house—can work for raising kittens and adult cats alike, as long as the space is organized appropriately.
That said, smaller spaces like studios or shared rooms can be more challenging for both owners and kittens. Kittens are famously full of energy—like tiny battery-powered toys that never run out! Even when they do get tired and fall asleep, they recharge quickly and get right back to exploring, playing, and sometimes causing a little mischief. In a small space, it's harder for them to burn off that energy, which often means they'll interfere more with your rest, work, or sleep.
For those living in smaller homes, one good approach is to open up as much space as possible for your kitten to use. That means putting away dangerous items in the kitchen and bathroom, securing balconies and windows with safety measures, and even making creative use of walls and vertical spaces. By installing wooden panels, cat shelves, or furniture arrangements designed for climbing, you can maximize the usable area and make the environment more enriching and comfortable for your kitten.
Budgeting for Kitten Care: Where Does the Money Go?
When raising a young kitten, the biggest portion of your budget usually goes toward medical expenses. In general, kitten care budgets are divided among equipment, food, and healthcare costs.
Equipment and Supplies
Basic supplies like food bowls or scratching posts are not very expensive. There's no need to buy overly luxurious or pricey products — as long as the items are practical and safe, your kitten will be perfectly happy using them.
Food and Nutrition
Most people estimate their kitten's food budget on a monthly basis. If your budget is tight, you don't have to insist on feeding only wet food. A mix of wet and dry food, or even a fully dry food diet, can still keep your cat healthy when balanced correctly.
Medical Expenses
This is typically the most significant cost. For a healthy kitten, the first-year medical expenses usually cover deworming, a three-shot vaccination series, and spaying or neutering — all of which can often be completed for under NT$10,000.
However, if your kitten unfortunately contracts a serious infectious disease such as feline distemper, the medical bills can skyrocket. Therefore, it's wise to prepare at least tens of thousands of NT dollars as an emergency fund for life-saving treatments.
Choosing a Kitten Wisely
To minimize risks, it's best to adopt or buy kittens that appear healthy, active, and have a good appetite. While it may sound heartless, choosing a visibly sickly kitten out of sympathy can lead to emotional distress and financial strain down the road. Think carefully — are you prepared to face both the financial and emotional challenges that might come with such a decision?
Do You Have Time to Accompany a Kitten?
Spending time with and playing alongside a young kitten is crucial for its mental and physical development. These activities require a significant investment of time and energy. For someone who works a nine-to-five job and lives alone, a kitten will end up spending long hours alone at home while the owner is at work — often feeling lonely and unstimulated. Many people also need to work overtime or spend even longer hours away, which makes things even tougher on the kitten.
Once you subtract work hours and commuting time, there may be very little time left in the day. In that case, you should be prepared to dedicate nearly all your remaining home time to your kitten. However, if you have a flexible schedule, work from home, or live with family or friends, it becomes much easier to ensure that the kitten receives adequate attention and companionship. Others at home can also help provide interaction and care.
A young kitten is much like a human child between zero and five years old — they cannot be left alone for long periods. This phase of strong emotional dependence usually lasts until the cat is about one to two years old. Even then, "more stable" doesn't mean you can suddenly travel all the time! If your bond with your cat is strong, your prolonged absence can easily make them anxious and unsettled.
Essential Care Tips for Kittens at Every Stage
Caring for Newborn Kittens (0 Days to 4–5 Weeks)
If the Mother Cat Is Present
When the kittens are being cared for by their mother, the most important thing is to ensure that the mother cat has a quiet, private, and undisturbed area to nurse and rest. Provide her with sufficient food, clean water, and a tidy litter box.
Never try to touch or move the kittens if the mother cat is nervous, stressed, or unwilling—doing so may cause her to reject or even harm her kittens. If the mother cat is friendly with people, you can interact with her and gently begin socializing the kittens near her—light touches or brief holding sessions help them get used to human contact. Just make sure the kittens always remain within her sight.
If the Mother Cat Is Absent
For orphaned kittens, the two most critical factors are adequate feeding and proper warmth. Never separate a litter so that a kitten ends up alone; they need the warmth and companionship of their siblings for growth and survival. If you rescue a single kitten, you may consider introducing it to another litter after assessing the risk of disease, or even finding a foster "nursing mother" cat.
There are many online resources covering bottle-feeding and basic kitten care, but the best learning experience often comes from an experienced "kitten raiser"—a person who has cared for many newborn litters and can guide you directly. However, finding such a mentor can sometimes be a matter of luck and timing.
Caring for Young Kittens (4–8 Weeks Old)
At this stage, kittens are becoming more mobile and curious about the world around them. Each day, they explore farther and learn more about their environment. In addition to introducing them to a litter box and weaning foods, two key aspects of care during this period are playtime and socialization.
Playtime: Developing Hunting Skills
Kittens practice their natural hunting instincts through play—chasing a moving teaser wand or batting at small toys helps them improve coordination and motor skills. We encourage owners to provide a variety of toys, whether store-bought or DIY creations that are safe and interesting to your kitten. Offer at least two play sessions with a teaser wand every day, and leave small toys out at all times so your kittens can play on their own. For more information, our environmental enrichment course offers additional guidance.
Socialization: Raising a Confident Kitten
The kitten's sensitive period—when they adapt most easily to new experiences—occurs roughly between 2 and 7 weeks of age. It's the perfect window for gentle socialization. Within your kitten's comfort zone, gradually introduce handling and experiences they will encounter later in life, such as being petted, held, having their nails trimmed, or being brushed. You can also carefully expose them to mild household sounds such as a low-volume vacuum, television, or recorded car noises to help them adjust to environmental stimuli.
If the kitten has been living in a confined space such as a box or crate, begin slowly allowing free exploration of your home. Let them start sleeping alongside humans—just make sure the area is arranged safely to avoid accidental injuries. Remember, a box or crate provides little stimulation and can hinder a kitten's adaptation to human environments. A dynamic, enriched setting supports both healthy development and brain growth.
Caring for Kittens (2–3 Months Old)
If during the previous stage you were mainly enjoying your kitten's cuteness—holding and taking pictures all day—this stage is when "play aggression" typically begins. Driven by powerful hunting instincts, kittens start seeking out anything that moves or looks interesting in their environment. They'll bite, scratch, hug, and kick with their back legs during play. And often, the target of this playful attack is their owner.
Understanding Play Aggression
This behavior is completely natural and simply part of a kitten's development. The remedy is simple: provide plenty of playtime and ground-level toys. Once their energy is spent, these aggressive play behaviors will naturally decrease.
Continuing Development
If training and socialization went well in the previous phase, there's not much new to learn now. Just increase playtime and expose your kitten to more new environments as their physical abilities grow stronger.
Training and Social Adventures
For kittens that are confident, calm, and well-socialized, you can start basic leash training near your home shortly after their first vaccination. This helps them get used to exploring safely outside their usual territory.
Preparing for Vet Visits
Around two months is also a great time to begin "carrier training." Since kittens usually get their first vaccine at this age, introducing the carrier early helps them see it as something familiar and not scary. That way, when it's time for their first veterinary visit, the experience is much less stressful for both you and your cat.
If you're worried that a vet visit might scare your kitten or leave a bad impression, consider checking out our Stress-Free Vet Visit Program for practical tips and guidance.
Caring for Older Kittens (3–6 Months)
If you haven't recognized the importance of playtime yet, you'll soon discover it once your kitten reaches three to four months old and begins teething. At this stage, your once-gentle kitten may transform into an adorable yet fearsome little biter. You might find tiny scratches on your arms and dark circles under your eyes from late-night antics!
During this period, it's crucial not only to continue engaging in regular play sessions but also to provide plenty of safe "chewing resources." These help your kitten cope with the discomfort of teething and fulfill their natural urge to gnaw. You can offer any item your kitten enjoys chewing on—as long as it's safe and won't cause harm.
In this article, we've listed several common and generally safe items that you can let your kitten try. Experiment to see what your furry friend prefers, and always supervise playtime.
When your kitten reaches five to six months old and is in good health with sufficient body weight, it's usually a good time to consider spaying or neutering. Ideally, this should be done before their first heat cycle, as early desexing can reduce the risk of certain diseases such as mammary tumors. It can also help prevent undesirable behaviors like spraying, which might persist even after surgery if they have already started.
Caring for a Growing Kitten (6 Months–1 Year)
As your kitten approaches the young adult stage, life gradually becomes easier for both of you. If your kitten has received enough playtime, companionship, and social interaction, this is the period when you can finally catch your breath a little.
Of course, "taking a break" doesn't mean you can stop playing with your cat altogether. It simply means that if your kitten has grown up happy and well-adjusted up to this point, you're now in a safer, more stable phase of their development.
How to Prepare Kitten Food and How Many Times to Feed Per Day
Kitten Feeding Content
We recommend that kitten owners choose food within their own budget, selecting reliable brands and ensuring that at least 90% of the total calories come from complete meals. Snacks and supplemental foods should make up no more than 10% of their diet. It's also important to offer food that your kitten enjoys eating, rather than forcing options they dislike or have grown tired of.
Once a kitten is weaned, you can simply purchase commercially available kitten dry or wet food—there's no need to worry too much. Many cat owners in Taiwan tend to be overly anxious about kitten diets, but we often remind people that feeding is just one aspect of a cat's overall quality of life.
If you're looking for a list of reputable pet food manufacturers, we usually encourage owners to refer to the brands listed by WDJ (Whole Dog Journal). Of course, extremely cheap cat food can be a red flag, so if your budget is tight, we suggest using Royal Canin or Hill's kitten formulas as a reasonable baseline. These brands are affordable and offer decent quality.
Feeding exclusively wet food is more expensive and time-consuming. It can also leave your kitten without food during your work hours. Therefore, we generally recommend a half-wet, half-dry feeding style—a mix of dry food (such as kibble or freeze-dried complete meals) and wet food (including canned food, rehydrated freeze-dried food, or meal pouches).
Raw feeding tends to be a more controversial option. You can decide based on your kitten's preferences and your own comfort with risk. However, it's worth mentioning that when transitioning nursing kittens to solid food, using raw meat can sometimes make the weaning process smoother.
Feeding Frequency for Kittens
When it comes to feeding frequency, for kittens that have already been weaned, we usually recommend a free-feeding approach until they are either spayed or neutered, or close to one year old. Only then should you switch to a scheduled and measured feeding routine.
The reason behind this recommendation is that it's difficult for pet owners to weigh their kittens weekly and calculate the exact caloric intake required to keep up with their rapid growth. Allowing kittens to eat freely ensures they receive enough energy to support healthy development into adulthood, rather than having their physical growth restricted due to insufficient calories.
If you prefer to use a full wet-food diet while still following a free-feeding style, here's how to do it: choose at least four or five times throughout the day to offer wet food generously. Let the kitten eat as much as it wants, and if the bowl becomes empty, simply add more until the kitten is truly full and walks away on its own.
This approach helps ensure your kitten grows strong and healthy, supporting the most important stage of its development with adequate nourishment and freedom to eat according to its needs.
Essential Supplies for Setting Up a Kitten Care Environment
Choosing a Feeding Bowl for Kittens
When selecting a feeding bowl, it's best to use a wide and shallow container. Ceramic or glass materials are recommended as they are durable, easy to clean, and safe for kittens.
Ideally, the bowl should have a diameter of around 12 to 14 centimeters. In general, a shallow ceramic dish or bowl tends to be the most suitable choice. These help kittens eat comfortably without pressing their whiskers against the sides.
However, if a proper bowl isn't immediately available, you can temporarily use a plastic bowl or any clean container you have on hand. Simply switch to a better one when you find it—the kitten usually won't mind too much in the meantime.
Choosing the Right Water Bowl for Cats
A water bowl should meet the same standards as a food bowl—easy to clean, safe, and appropriately sized. Of course, you can also explore different types of pet water dispensers, which are convenient and help keep water fresh.
If your kitten tends to knock over the bowl while playing or running around, a heavier container—such as a ceramic baking dish—can be a great alternative. Its weight helps keep it stable and less likely to tip over.
Choosing the Right Litter Box for Your Cat
When it comes to litter boxes, an open-style design is highly recommended — the type that only includes the bottom tray without a cover. A box with sides measuring at least 60 cm is ideal. This allows your kitten to comfortably adapt as it quickly grows, saving you from frequently upgrading to larger boxes.
For cat litter, the best options include clay litter, clumping wood shavings (fine particles), and mineral-based tofu litter. It's best to choose varieties that are unscented. Because cats have a far more sensitive sense of smell than humans, scented litter can often be unpleasant or even stressful for them.
Keeping Your Kitten Warm in Winter
Kittens, especially the younger ones, are not yet capable of maintaining their body temperature on their own. During winter, they need extra help staying warm to prevent prolonged low body temperature or even catching a cold.
To keep them cozy and safe, consider using down jackets designed for pets or electric pet blankets. These options provide steady warmth and create a comfortable environment for your little companion throughout the chilly season.
Choosing the Right Scratching Board for Kittens
The simplest rectangular scratching board that lies flat on the floor is usually enough to satisfy most kittens. Consider placing several around your home so your kitten always has one nearby when the urge to scratch strikes.
During this early stage of life, it's crucial to help your kitten learn to scratch the board instead of your furniture. This builds good habits and keeps your home safe from tiny claws.
Once a scratching board has become worn out, don't forget to replace it promptly. A fresh board keeps your kitten engaged and prevents them from seeking alternatives like sofas or curtains.
Safe Hiding Spots for Kittens
Kittens are still learning about the world around them, and it's natural for them to feel uncertain or frightened by new experiences. During this early stage, providing them with secure and hidden places to retreat to can greatly enhance their sense of safety. When they have a place where they can hide and feel protected, they become more confident and adapt more quickly to new environments.
Good hiding spots can be simple yet effective. The key is to make sure these spaces are truly secluded, so your kitten feels invisible and safe from perceived threats.
Examples of Ideal Hiding Spots:
- Inside a closet or wardrobe
- Under or behind the sofa
- Beneath the bed
- Any quiet corner where the kitten can hide completely out of sight
By respecting your kitten's need for privacy and giving them a safe space to retreat, you help build their trust and confidence. Over time, they'll emerge from their hiding places faster and explore the world around them with growing curiosity and courage.
The Perfect Spot for Cats to Watch the Scenery
A cozy spot where your cat can enjoy the view outside is actually a key part of what's called "environmental enrichment." Setting up a perch or lookout area helps kittens engage with the world around them and keeps their curious minds active.
Try placing cat trees, small steps, or shelves beneath the window so your kitten can easily climb up and observe the outdoors. If you have a windowsill or a balcony, consider installing secure safety barriers so that your furry explorer can come and go freely without risk.
This setup isn't just beneficial for your cat's physical and mental development—it's also a great way to help them expend energy. With this arrangement, your kitten will be happily occupied, allowing you to relax and get a good night's sleep too!
High Spaces and Movement: Nurturing Your Kitten's Instinct to Climb
From the moment they are born, kittens have a natural instinct to climb and explore high places. It's important not to assume that you can simply use objects to stop them from climbing cabinets or shelves. If one spot becomes inaccessible, they will only look for another—often more dangerous—way to reach higher ground.
Trying to block these instincts can lead to accidents, as kittens may attempt risky maneuvers to conquer spaces that were once safe for exploration. Instead of restricting their curiosity, consider guiding it.
As your kitten's climbing and jumping skills improve, gradually allow them access to more elevated furniture surfaces. They'll appreciate having places to perch where they feel secure and entertained. Providing cat trees, ceiling-height scratching posts, or even shorter furniture pieces as stepping platforms can help them satisfy their climbing urges safely.
Supporting your kitten's instinct to climb isn't just about safety—it's about helping them grow with confidence and joy in an environment designed for their needs.
Other Common Kitten Q&A
One Kitten or Two? Why Two Is Better!
If you're wondering whether to adopt one kitten or two, the answer is clear: adopting two kittens at once is the better choice! When kittens grow up together, they provide constant companionship and playmates for each other. This helps them develop both mentally and physically in healthy, balanced ways that humans simply can't replace.
Some people worry that two kittens might bond more with each other than with their human, but that's not the case. Cats typically have separate emotional needs for other cats and for people. You'll end up with a pair of well-adjusted, affectionate kittens who are comfortable being together and with you.
Plus, having two kittens means less worry when you're away at work or traveling—they'll keep each other company and be less likely to feel lonely or anxious.
When choosing your kittens, it's best to adopt either littermates who already know each other or two kittens from different litters that already share a good bond. Starting with an established friendship usually leads to a smoother, happier household.
Can You Train a Kitten to Follow a Human Sleep Schedule?
Many new cat owners wonder if it's possible to train their kittens to sleep through the night like humans do. Unfortunately, the answer is usually no. Kittens tend to be noisy or active at night because their natural sleep cycle differs from ours.
However, you can manage this behavior. If you make sure your kitten gets plenty of playtime and exercise while you're awake, and if you provide enough toys for nighttime entertainment, the kitten will likely play quietly on its own after midnight and then fall asleep. This helps prevent those frustrating moments when your kitten tries to nibble your hands and feet while you're trying to rest.
With patience and consistency, your feline friend will gradually adapt to a routine that's more compatible with your sleep schedule — or at least allow you a good night's rest.
When Should You Spay or Neuter Your Kitten?
There's a common belief that spaying or neutering a kitten too early might lead to lower urinary tract diseases later in life, and that it's best to wait until the cat turns one year old before the procedure. However, current research shows no significant difference between early and later surgeries.
In fact, waiting until after a cat has gone into heat can increase the risk of certain diseases and lead to more challenging behavioral issues. Therefore, early spaying or neutering is generally considered safe and even beneficial for most kittens.
That said, if your kitten has underlying health conditions or is underweight, your veterinarian might advise postponing the surgery. In that case, follow your vet's guidance—focus on helping your kitten rest, recover, and gain enough weight before proceeding.
The Gift of Raising Kittens
Conclusion: If you have the time, energy, and financial means, bringing one or two kittens into your life will surely become one of its greatest blessings. Through their clear, innocent eyes, you'll rediscover a world that once felt too vast to grasp.
Following their tiny paws across floors and furniture, you'll learn to notice the wonder hidden in every grain of dust and the quiet magic within the smallest corners of your home. Kittens remind us that curiosity and joy can turn even the simplest moments into miracles.
— Reflections on Life with Cats
