Bringing Home a New Kitten: Everything You Need for the First 30 Days

Šapice Pet Wellness
2026-04-04T18:43:09-04:00

The first 30 days with a new kitten shape the next 15 years. Here's what you actually need — from litter and scratching posts to enrichment, nutrition, and socialisation.
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Bringing home a new kitten is one of the most rewarding things you can do — and one of the most overwhelming. Kittens are curious, fragile, fast, and completely dependent on you to set them up for a healthy life. The decisions you make in the first 30 days — about environment, nutrition, enrichment, and socialization — will shape who your cat becomes for the next 15 to 20 years.

Here's what actually matters.

The First 48 Hours: Creating Safety

Resist the urge to give your kitten free run of the house immediately. Start with a single room — ideally a quiet one with their litter box, food, water, a hiding spot, and a few toys. This reduces overwhelm and helps them build confidence gradually.

Keep the environment calm and quiet for the first few days

Let the kitten come to you — don't force handling or cuddles

Ensure all escape routes are secured; kittens can fit through surprisingly small gaps

Keep other pets separated initially and introduce them slowly over days or weeks

Litter: Getting It Right from Day One

Litter training is almost always instinctive for kittens — but the type of litter you choose matters more than most owners realize. Clay litter is dusty, non-biodegradable, and can irritate a kitten's sensitive respiratory system. Natural alternatives are a significantly better choice.

We recommend starting with one of two options:

Green Tea Tofu Cat Litter — ultra-low dust, soft texture that's gentle on small paws, and naturally deodorising. Ideal for kittens and households with air quality concerns

Vanilla Cassava Cat Litter — exceptional clumping strength and low tracking, with a subtle natural vanilla scent. Great if you want a firmer clump that's easy to scoop

Place the litter box in a quiet, accessible location — never next to food or water. For a single kitten, one box is sufficient to start; add a second as they grow and explore more of the home.

Scratching: Redirect, Don't Punish

Scratching is non-negotiable for cats — it's how they maintain their claws, stretch their muscles, and mark their territory. Your job is to provide surfaces they want to scratch so they don't choose your sofa.

Offer a variety of scratching options early:

Noba Classic 28" Scratching Post — tall enough for a full-body stretch; the most important piece of cat furniture you can own

Mural Cat Scratcher — wall-mounted and space-efficient; great for smaller homes

The Hut Scratchable Cat Hideout — combines a scratching surface with a cozy retreat; ideal for kittens who need a safe hiding spot

Enrichment and Play

Kittens need to play — a lot. Play is how they develop coordination, burn energy, build confidence, and bond with you. Aim for at least two dedicated interactive play sessions per day of 10–15 minutes each.

For interactive play, wand toys are the gold standard — they mimic prey movement and engage a kitten's full hunting sequence. Our Silvervine Rod Replaceable Teaser Set adds the bonus of silvervine stimulation, making it irresistible for most kittens.

For solo play and enrichment, introduce catnip and silvervine toys early to find out what your kitten responds to:

Woven Catnip Slipper or Woven Catnip Pineapple — for kittens that respond to catnip (sensitivity develops around 6 months)

Woven Silvervine Gall Fruit Ball — silvervine works on a higher percentage of cats and often triggers a stronger response

Silvervine/Catnip Filled Fish Cuddle Toy — a soft cuddle toy that doubles as an enrichment item

Note: catnip sensitivity doesn't fully develop until around 6 months of age — very young kittens may not respond yet, which is completely normal.

A Place to Climb and Rest

Cats are vertical animals. Height gives them security, a vantage point, and a sense of control over their environment. A cat tree or elevated perch is not a luxury — it's a welfare essential, particularly for indoor cats.

Our Relaxation 2-Level Cat Tree is an excellent starter option for kittens — appropriately sized, stable, and designed for climbing and resting. As your kitten grows, the Maine Coon 65" Cat Tower provides a full multi-level environment for confident climbers.

Nutrition and Treats

Feed a high-quality kitten food formulated for growth — kittens have significantly higher protein and calorie requirements than adult cats. Wet food is strongly recommended for hydration, as cats have a naturally low thirst drive and are prone to urinary issues when chronically underhydrated.

For treats and food toppers, whole-food options are ideal:

Freeze-Dried Chicken — single ingredient, highly palatable, and excellent as a high-value reward

Freeze-Dried Salmon — rich in omega-3s; supports brain development and coat health during the growth phase

Air Dried Duck Liver — intensely aromatic and nutrient-dense; a little goes a long way

For kittens that need grass for digestive support or enrichment, our Real GrassBox provides a safe, pesticide-free indoor grass option that satisfies the instinct to graze.

Socialization: The Window That Closes

The socialization window for kittens closes at around 7–9 weeks of age — but the period up to 16 weeks is still critically important. Kittens that are handled regularly, exposed to different people, sounds, and environments during this period become significantly more confident, adaptable adult cats.

Handle paws, ears, and mouth daily from the start. Introduce the carrier early as a positive space, not just a vet trip vehicle. Expose them to household sounds gradually. The investment in socialization now pays off in a calmer, more resilient cat for life.

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