by Team WellJoy
“We’re so excited about our new kitten Stormy – a little black cloud that we fell in love with. There’s two weeks to go before we bring him home, and we’ve already set up his cat tree, bought a scratching post, and stuffed our cupboard full of food.”
It’s equal parts joy and responsibility, so we’re sharing an essential guide to what you need to buy, do and think about to help your new kitten grow into a happy, confident, curious cat.
Write your shopping list
It’s tempting to buy absolutely everything at the pet store, but kittens really just need the basics:
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Quality food
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Dishes
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A litter box
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A carrier
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Toys
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Scratching surfaces
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Places to hide and climb
Here’s some more in-depth advice on navigating the shelves:
Food: buy well, buy a range
When you’re browsing, look for food formulated for growth or “all life stages”. To prevent your kitten from growing into a fussy cat, offer wet and dry food in different flavors. It can also help to ask what food the breeder or rescue center has been giving, so you can gradually transition your kitten over. As an extra bonus: introducing wet food early helps support hydration and urinary tract health. As for treats, see below for more on that topic…
Bowls: look for wide, shallow, non-plastic options
Plastic dishes can trap food or contribute to cat acne (yes, it’s really a thing). And by buying wider bowls, you avoid whisker fatigue – the uncomfortable feeling of a cat’s whiskers constantly brushing against the sides of their dishes. Pet Loyalists that want to go a step further (and don’t we all?) can also buy a water fountain, to keep their kitten hydrated.
Litter box: start with low sides for small kittens
Start them out with something that’s easier to get into, and then upgrade it as they grow. Ideally, there’s an extra litter box available so there’s always a fresh, clean option, and if you have more than one cat in the house, they need one each. It’s a good time to stock up on World’s Best Cat Litter, which is gentle and safe for kitten litter box visits, with quick clumping and odor-fighting benefits for Cat Loyalists, too!
The carrier: it’s not just for visits to the veterinarian
Buy a comfy carrier and get your cat used to it by leaving it out in your home. Over time, it’ll feel like a safe resting place and not something that’s only brought out at stressful moments.
Scratching surfaces: encourage natural behavior
Kittens, and cats, need to stretch their muscles, maintain their claws and mark their territory. Buy some horizontal and vertical scratching surfaces so they’ll exercise their natural behavior on those – rather than your couch.
Vertical space: cats feel safe up high
It’s a good idea to buy or create a few options. This might be a cat tree and shelf, or a window perch so your kitten can climb and explore, all while reducing stress and building cat confidence.
A place to hide: invest in beds, caves and carriers
Kittens need places to retreat to if they’re feeling overwhelmed. This can be a covered bed, a cat cave, a carrier, or an elevated resting spot. Even making the linen cupboard accessible can be something they feel grateful for.
Toys: the fun part
Once you’ve bought all the practical, everyday things, you can have some fun. Over time you’ll learn how your kitten likes to play, but you can buy and try interactive toys, wand toys, balls, tunnels and puzzle feeders. They all build skills and act as a workout for tiny, growing brains.
Rethink your home setup
Homes need to be kitten-proofed in the same way they need to be child-proofed – maybe even more since cats can climb and jump…. That means looking at everything from the point of view of a curious young cat, and reducing any potential for trouble.
Importantly, think about common hazards:
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Electrical cords: To you? Part of the household furniture. To a kitten? A snake that wants to play (and can cause serious electrical burns).
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Small objects: Toys, string, yarn, ribbon, thread, hair ties, rubber bands, cords to your window blinds and anything else small and swallowable can cause intestinal injuries.
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Medication: Put any pill bottles or other medication in a safe place that your kitten can’t get into.
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Cleaning products: These can be toxic, and need to be stored out of reach.
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Essential oils and diffusers: Keep these to an absolute minimum – cats have a sensitive respiratory system, and their liver struggles to process these compounds.
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Toxic house plants: Lilies, pothos, sago palms and philodendrons can all be deadly, and some kittens are determined plant-eaters. Consider swapping these for cat grass or catnip.
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Hot surfaces: It’s a good idea to block these off. Kittens can easily burn themselves by jumping onto areas that they don’t realize are scorching.
Guidelines for settling your kitten in
The early days and weeks after you bring a kitten home are an experience for everyone. You, as the Pet Loyalist, are equal parts excited and nervous, and your kitten probably feels the same. You can set them up with the best possible start by:
Creating a small, quiet, kitten-friendly room
This can be hugely beneficial in the early days. Put their food, water, litter box, bed, carrier and some of that big bag of toys you’ve bought in there, so they have a chance to get comfortable before exploring the rest of your home.
Setting up a schedule (with plenty of time for naps)
Plan in time for your kitten to play, eat and sleep – and remember, some kittens might need around 20 hours of sleep a day. It can help to follow a cat’s natural schedule – for example, by introducing new toys before they eat to mimic their hunting instinct.
Creating a dedicated sleeping area
Whether your kitten sleeps in your room or not is down to each Pet Loyalist. Importantly: your kitten needs a sleeping spot that feels safe and secure. Introduce them to this place early on, so they understand it’s theirs.
Introducing any other pets very patiently and carefully
This can take days or weeks, not hours. It’s best to have done some research around how to make these intros, and get your plan together well in advance.
Being mindful of key development periods
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The socialization window: 2-7 weeks: an important period for behavioral development, when kittens learn to interact with everything (and everyone) around them.
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Food imprinting: 3-8 weeks: As kittens move from milk to solid food, it’s helpful to expose them to a variety of flavors and textures.
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Confidence building and new experiences: 8-16 weeks: This is the time your kitten builds their library of experiences that they’ll refer back to throughout their life.
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Fear periods: 8-14 weeks: Your kitten might have brief moments where new things seem frightening. That’s normal, and it just requires patience and encouragement.
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The tiny tornado stage: 3-6 months: Welcome to toddler age. At this stage your kitten is bursting with energy: climbing, chasing, pouncing, zooming around at midnight.
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Training habit formation: 4-6 months: This is a great age to get your cat used to things like the carrier, harness training, nail trimming, grooming and tooth brushing.
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Social maturity: 5-9 months: Cats reach sexual maturity and may become more territorial. Consider speaking to your vet about spaying or neutering.
- Transition to adulthood: 9-12 months: By now, you know your cat better than anyone else. You’ll start recognizing how they like to play and what they like best.
As a final note
You can introduce your kitten to treats as soon as they’re weaned (6 months and beyond) – and these can be a great way to bond with your pet and train them. Once their adult teeth have arrived, you can introduce WellJoy’s Dental+ for Cats to promote healthy teeth and gums. And if you know there’s stressful times coming up like moving to a new home, or a trip to the vet’s office for vaccinations, you can also add in WellJoy Calming+ For Cats.
If your cat needs a little extra support later in life – or if you’ve adopted a cat with some health challenges – you can consider introducing supplements around 9-12 months.
We’re proud to say that all of WellJoy’s content is fact-checked and verified by a Pet Loyalist team, including a veterinarian trained in companion animal nutrition and a PhD board-certified companion animal nutritionist.
