Caring for your New Kitten

Bringing home a new kitten is an exciting time. Those first few months are important for your kitten's physical health, development and behaviour, and the care they receive now can help set them up for a happy, healthy life.

From vaccinations and parasite prevention to feeding, litter trays, socialisation and keeping your kitten safe, there is a lot to think about.

The good news is you don't have to work it all out yourself. Your Vet Cross team is here to help you with your kitten's preventative healthcare and answer any questions you have along the way.

One of the first things to organise after bringing your kitten home is a veterinary health check.

Your veterinarian can check your kitten's overall health and development and help you establish a preventative healthcare plan that is appropriate for their age, lifestyle and individual needs.

This is also a good opportunity to discuss:

• Vaccinations
• Flea and worm prevention
• FIV and other infectious disease risks
• Nutrition
• Desexing
• Microchipping
• Dental care
• Behaviour and socialisation 
• Keeping your kitten safe at home and outdoors 

Regular health checks are important throughout your cat's life. Finding health problems early can help prevent unnecessary discomfort and allow treatment to begin sooner. This is also why your kitten's vaccination appointments are about more than just vaccination — they are an opportunity for your veterinarian to monitor your kitten's growth and development.

Vaccination helps protect your kitten against several serious and highly contagious diseases.

Your veterinarian will recommend a vaccination schedule based on your kitten's age, vaccination history and individual risk factors. Kittens require a primary vaccination course because antibodies received from their mother can interfere with their response to vaccination.

At Vet Cross, our kitten treatment guidelines include F4 vaccination at 10-12 weeks and again at 14-16 weeks, followed by a booster at 12 months of age. 

Your veterinarian will advise you on the vaccination schedule that is appropriate for your kitten.

What about FIV vaccination?

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is spread primarily through bite wounds, particularly during fights between cats.

Whether FIV vaccination is appropriate depends on your kitten's individual circumstances and risk of exposure. Your veterinarian can discuss FIV testing and vaccination with you as part of your kitten's preventative healthcare plan.

To learn more about Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) click here.

Kittens are particularly vulnerable to parasites, so establishing an appropriate parasite prevention program is an important part of their healthcare.

Fleas

Fleas aren't just an irritation. Heavy infestations can cause significant blood loss in young kittens, while fleas can also contribute to skin problems and transmit other parasites.

Your kitten's flea prevention should be started at an appropriate age and continued regularly. Our Vet Cross treatment guidelines recommend flea prevention from 8 weeks of age and then monthly, using an appropriate product for your kitten.

There are many different flea products available, and not every product is suitable for every age or weight of kitten. Never use a flea treatment intended for dogs on your cat.

Worming

Roundworms and other intestinal worms can affect kittens and may cause problems such as poor growth, diarrhoea, vomiting and a pot-bellied appearance.

Our Vet Cross kitten treatment guidelines recommend intestinal worm treatment from 2 weeks of age, every fortnight until 12 weeks, then monthly until 6 months of age, followed by treatment every three months. 

Your veterinarian can help you choose an appropriate product and schedule for your kitten.

Kittens are growing rapidly and have different nutritional requirements from adult cats.

Feed a complete and balanced kitten food appropriate for your kitten's age and stage of growth. Kitten food is formulated to provide the energy, protein, vitamins and minerals needed for healthy development.

Your kitten should always have access to fresh, clean drinking water.

There are many different types of kitten food available, including wet and dry diets. Your Vet Cross team can help you choose an appropriate diet for your individual kitten.

Should kittens have milk?

No. Once kittens are weaned, they don't need milk as part of their diet. Cow's milk can also cause digestive upset in some cats.

What about raw food and bones?

Raw feeding is a topic worth discussing with your veterinarian before making it part of your kitten's diet. Growing kittens have very specific nutritional requirements, and an unbalanced diet can affect their development.

Bones should not be relied upon as a substitute for proper dental care or a complete, balanced diet.

If you are considering feeding your kitten a homemade or raw diet, speak with your veterinarian first to ensure their nutritional requirements can be met safely.

To read more about feeding your cat a complete and balanced diet click here.

A new home can be a big change for a kitten.

When your kitten first arrives, provide a quiet area where they can retreat and feel safe. This could include:

• A comfortable bed or sleeping area
• A hiding place 
• Food and fresh water
• A litter tray
• Appropriate scratching surfaces
• Toys 
• Safe places to climb and explore 

Don't worry if your kitten doesn't immediately want to explore the entire house. Allow them to settle at their own pace and gradually introduce them to new areas.

Cats benefit from having choices about where they rest, eat, drink, play, scratch and toilet, as well as opportunities to perform natural behaviours such as exploring, hiding, climbing, stalking and pouncing.

Most kittens naturally learn to use a litter tray, but providing the right setup can make things much easier.

Place the litter tray somewhere quiet and easily accessible, away from food and water.

Keep it clean by removing waste regularly. If you have more than one cat, providing multiple litter trays can help prevent competition and toileting problems.

Avoid punishing your kitten for accidents. If your kitten suddenly stops using their litter tray, speak with your veterinarian, as inappropriate toileting can sometimes be associated with a medical problem.

Kittens are naturally curious and energetic. Play is an important part of their development and gives them an appropriate outlet for behaviours such as stalking, chasing and pouncing.

Provide a variety of safe toys and opportunities for play.

Don't use your hands as toys

It might seem cute when a tiny kitten grabs your fingers or attacks your hands, but allowing this behaviour can encourage biting and scratching as your kitten grows.

Instead, use toys that allow your kitten to chase, pounce and grab without putting your hands in the middle.

Scratching is also a normal cat behaviour, so provide suitable scratching posts or pads from the beginning.

To learn more about enrichment and how it can benefit your pet, click here.

The early months of a kitten's life are an important period for learning about people, handling and their environment.

Gentle, positive experiences can help your kitten become more confident as they grow.

Gradually introduce your kitten to everyday experiences such as:

• Being gently handled
• Having their paws, ears and mouth touched 
• Grooming and brushing 
• Being placed in their carrier 
• Car travel 
• Different sounds and household activities 
• Different people 
• Veterinary visits 

Keep experiences positive and allow your kitten to move away if they become frightened or overwhelmed.

Never force your kitten to interact with something that is frightening them.

Reward-based training can also help kittens learn that things such as nail trimming, grooming, medication and veterinary handling don't have to be scary.

Getting your kitten used to gentle grooming while they are young can make grooming much easier throughout their life.

Depending on your kitten's coat, regular brushing can help remove loose hair and prevent tangles and mats.

Use gentle handling and keep grooming sessions short and positive. Reward your kitten for calm behaviour.

Most cats don't need routine bathing, and bathing can be stressful for them. If your kitten needs a bath for a medical reason, your veterinarian can advise you on the safest approach. 

Dental health is an important part of your kitten's long-term health.

Getting your kitten accustomed to having their mouth handled from a young age can make future dental care much easier.

Your veterinarian can show you how to introduce tooth brushing gradually and recommend appropriate dental products.

Your kitten's teeth should also be checked during their regular veterinary examinations.

Our Vet Cross treatment guidelines include an annual dental check as part of your pet's veterinary care.

Desexing prevents unwanted pregnancies and provides a number of health and behavioural benefits.

Cats can reach sexual maturity surprisingly young, so it is important to discuss desexing with your veterinarian before your kitten reaches puberty.

Our Vet Cross treatment guidelines recommend desexing between 3 and 6 months of age, with the recommendation that this is done before the first heat. 

Current Australian guidance also supports discussing pre-pubertal desexing with your veterinarian, as cats can reach sexual maturity at around four months of age. 

Your veterinarian can advise you on the most appropriate timing for your individual kitten.

A microchip provides your cat with permanent identification.

If your kitten becomes lost or is taken to a pound, shelter or veterinary clinic, a registered microchip can help them be reunited with you.

Your kitten may already be microchipped when you bring them home, particularly if they have come from a breeder or rescue organisation. Ask for their microchip number and the Registration or Change of Ownership form, make sure your contact details are correctly registered.

Remember to update your details if you move house or change your phone number.

Our Vet Cross treatment guidelines recommend microchipping as part of your kitten's preventative healthcare.

Kittens are curious and can get themselves into trouble surprisingly quickly.

Take a look around your home from a kitten's perspective and remove potential hazards.

Particular things to consider include:

• Electrical cords
• Small objects that could be swallowed
• Open windows and balconies
• Household chemicals and medications
• Unsafe areas where a kitten could become trapped
• Other pets
• Toxic plants 

Lilies are particularly dangerous to cats and should not be kept in a home where cats may come into contact with them. 

Keeping your cat safely contained can also help protect them from road accidents, fights, infectious diseases and other hazards, while reducing the impact of roaming cats on local wildlife.

If you plan to allow your kitten outdoors, talk to your veterinarian about vaccination, parasite prevention, microchipping and the safest way to introduce outdoor access.

Veterinary medicine has advanced significantly, and we are able to diagnose and treat many conditions that previously had limited treatment options.

However, unexpected veterinary treatment can be expensive.

Pet insurance is one option for helping manage unexpected veterinary costs. It is worth researching policies carefully and understanding what is and isn't covered before choosing a policy.

Our Vet Cross treatment guidelines recommend considering pet insurance as part of planning for your pet's healthcare.

Bringing home a kitten is exciting, but there is a lot to remember!

Health

? Book your kittens first veterinary health check
? Start their vaccination program
? Establish a flea and worm prevention program
? Discuss FIV risk and vaccination with your veterinarian
? Plan for desexing
? Check their microchip and registration details

At home

? Complete kitten food and fresh water
? Comfortable sleeping area
? Safe hiding place
? Litter tray and suitable litter
? Scratching post
? Safe toys
? Secure windows and balconies
? Remove toxic plants and household hazards

Getting them used to life

? Gentle handling
? Grooming and brushing
? Carrier training
? Positive veterinary experiences
? Appropriate play
? Gradual introductions to other pets

Your kitten's first few months are an important time for establishing good habits and preventative healthcare.

From vaccinations and parasite prevention to nutrition, dental care, desexing and general health checks, your Vet Cross team can help you create a healthcare plan suited to your kitten.

If you have questions about your new kitten, give us a call or book an appointment with one of our veterinary teams at Bundaberg, Bargara or Gin Gin.

Written by: Vet Cross marketing team

Last reviewed: September 2026