Getting a Kitten – Everything you Must Know

Our guide outline must-know facts, essential supplies, budgeting and expected costs for anyone considering bringing a kitten into their home

Updated 6 October 2021

Getting a kitten is a significant commitment in terms of both time and money. To help outline all the must-know facts and considerations, our guide covers:

More details: We suggest reading the SPCA's guide for bringing a new cat home which covers all the essentials for integrating a cat into your lifestyle.

What you Must Know Before Getting a Kitten

Bringing home a kitten is rewarding and overwhelming at the same time. If you’ve never owned a kitten before, there are some things you should know before choosing your new pet:

Kittens have a lot of energy

Like newly crawling and walking babies, expect kittens to get into everything. Your kitten will need plenty of supervision and lots of playtime. Interaction is key to use up the energy in a positive way and to keep your kitty out of trouble.

Kitten proof your home

Before you bring your kitty home, consider kitty-proofing it. Just like you would with a small child, you need to make sure your home is safe for your kitty. Here are a few key areas to kitty-proof:

Tie up loose cords
Close off any windows and vents
Tie up blind cords
Block off dangerous corners or areas your kitty could jump and hide
Block off any open railings
Remove any toxic plants
Store any chemicals out of reach

Set up a ‘kitty area’

Just as bringing a kitty home is new for you, the surroundings are new for your cat too. Set up an area that belongs just to the kitten so he/she can get comfortable. Make it an area other pets and children don’t go – it’s only for the cat. In the area put the cat’s litter box, a comfortable bed, and some toys. Think of it as the kitten’s ‘time out’ area and explain when the kitty is there, everyone should leave him/her alone.

Wean your kitten onto new food if you’ll change

If you’re rescuing your kittens or even if the breeder had the kitten on food different than what you want to feed, wean him/her off slowly.

Kittens have sensitive stomachs so feed 80% of the original food with 20% of the new food for a few days and then slowly taper down until you get to 100% of the new food. This not only helps their stomach adjust but also gets them to transition their tastebuds to the new food too.

Have a couple of litter boxes

It’s a good idea to have at least two litter boxes around the house, depending on the size of your house. Most kittens inherently know how to use the litter box, but it may take a little getting used to in your house

If the kitten has trouble finding the litter boxes, use treats, positive reinforcement, and patience as he/she learns. It usually doesn’t take long for them to catch on.

Socialize your kitten as much as possible

As your kitten gets used to the new sights and sounds of your home, make sure to socialize him/her. Have plenty of interactive toys that allow you and your kitten to bond. Have set times each day that you spend time playing with your kitten to get him/her used to you and the new surroundings, plus it uses up some of that boundless energy.

Start grooming right away

Kittens are very impressionable, so if you start grooming them right away, they’ll be used to it as they grow into adults. Trim their nails, brush them, and even bathe them often so they are okay with it as they create their own habits and personalities.

Ignore the nighttime ‘crying’

Kittens, like babies, will cry in the middle of the night. If you section off your kitty in his/her own area, it’s important to keep the kitty there despite the crying. After a few days, your kitty will get used to being alone and learn to enjoy the quiet time. Just make sure he/she has everything needed in that area including a litter box, water, food, and a bed.

Get your kitten checked right away

It’s important to have your kitten checked by a vet right away, or at least within a week f bringing him/her home. If there are any health issues, you’ll know about them right away and can get proper treatment.

Do trial and error with the litter

There are many litter choices out there and they aren’t one-size-fits-all for both you and your kitten. Don’t invest in a life-size bag right off the bat. Instead, buy smaller bags and see which litter your cat seems the happiest with and which is the most pleasant smelling for your home.

Consider two kittens

You might think it’s a risk to adopt two kittens at once, but shelters often recommend it. Not only is it good for the shelters to find homes for the kittens, but kittens often thrive better when they have a playmate around the clock. They’ll adapt to your home quicker and not have such bad separation anxiety when you can’t be around.

Supplies you’ll Need for your New Kitten

Prepare yourself for the vast number of supplies your kitten will need. To start, you’ll need these essentials to make the transition to your home the most comfortable.

Cat food
Cat treats
Food and water bowls
Litter box (at least 2)
Cat bed (multiple is good)
Interactive toys
Cat scratchers
Cat trees
Collar
ID tag
Cat carrier
Cleaning supplies (for accidents)

Other Important Essentials

The supplies above will acclimate your kitten to your home and are essential, but there are some other kitten supplies and needs to consider:

Vaccines – Kittens need a series of vaccines when they’re first brought home and then again annually throughout their lives, along with regular vet visits for preventative needs.
Pet insurance – You may want to consider pet insurance to cover the cost of emergencies and unexpected expenses. There’s no way to predict what will happen with your kitten throughout his/her life and pet insurance can provide financial protection.
Flea and tick prevention – Your vet will likely recommend flea and tick prevention, especially if your cat will be an indoor/outdoor cat.

Budgeting for a New Kitten

While every cat or kitten will have different costs, here is are the common costs of a new kitten.

Adoption – If you adopt a kitten from your local SPCA or cat rescue center, they’ll usually have a recommended donation of $175 - $200.
Vaccines – Initial vaccines cost around $250, but some rescue centers already have them vaccinated
Desexing – Most rescue centers already desex kittens before adoption, but if not, it will run you around $120
Microchipping – If you’re worried about your cat getting away, consider microchipping him/her. It costs around $40 - $60.
Food – Expect to pay around $250 - $275 a year in cat food (more if you have multiple cats)
Vet visits – Your cat will at least need annual vet visits, which can cost around $200 (depending on where you go), but also budget for those emergency visits
Toys, bedding, and other essentials – Don’t forget about the other items your pet needs, such as bedding, toys, and climbing apparatuses

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a kitten be left alone during the day?

It takes time to break a kitten into used to being home alone. Don’t adopt a new kitten and expect to be gone for 8 hours a day. At first they will need what feels like 24/7 attention. Gradually you can work your way into leaving the kitten alone for longer periods. Start with an hour or two at a time and work your way up.

What is a good schedule for a kitten?

Kittens will settle into their own schedule, but with a little guidance from you, they’ll have a healthy schedule that includes:

13 – 19 hours of sleep
Eating 2 to 3 times a day
Time for play with adults or kids
Time to rest and just observe

Where should kittens sleep at night?

It’s a good idea to give kittens their own area to sleep. If you give them free run of the house you’ll likely be woken in the middle of the night with frisky cats ready to play. Instead, set up a small area for them to settle down and have quiet time throughout the night.

What is single kitten syndrome?

Like we said earlier, kittens love to have a partner in crime. Kittens who suffer from single kitten syndrome may show destructive behavior, urinate throughout the house, or have separation anxiety making it hard for you to leave.

At what age do kittens calm down?

Don’t be alarmed at the immense energy your kitten has when you bring him/her own. They start to settle down around 8 to 12 months. While they’ll still be playful (they should be), they won’t have that boundless energy that makes you feel like you’ll never sleep again.

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