Complete Cat Adoption Guide

Adopting a Kitten

Kittens are bundles of chaos wrapped in fur. Those tiny paws will get into everything, those tiny teeth will nibble everything, and somehow they have more energy than seems physically possible. But with patience and proper care, you'll raise a confident, well-adjusted cat who'll be your companion for the next 15-20 years.

📅

8-12 wks

Ideal adoption age

🍽️

3-4x

Meals per day until 6 months

⏰

15-20 yrs

Potential lifespan

🐱🐱

Kittens are better than one!

💡Expert Tips

Start Small

Set up a single "safe room" for the first few days. A bathroom works well. This prevents overwhelm and makes litter training easier.

Play = Training

Interactive play with wand toys teaches hunting skills and burns energy. Play before meals to mimic hunt-eat-groom-sleep cycle. Never use hands as toys!

Kitten-Proof Everything

String, rubber bands, hair ties are dangerous. Toxic plants must go. Secure window screens. Block small spaces where kittens could get stuck.

Consider Two

Kittens do better in pairs. They play together (saving your ankles), socialize each other, and keep each other company. Many shelters offer discounts for pair adoptions.

✅Pre-Adoption Checklist

Kitten-proof your home (strings, cords, toxic plants)

Buy litter box, food bowls, scratching post

Get kitten-specific food

Set up a small safe room for the first few days

Find a vet and schedule first appointment

Buy interactive toys for play and bonding

Plan for spaying/neutering (around 4-6 months)

Consider adopting two (they do better in pairs!)

📅What to Expect: Timeline

Week 1

Safe room only. Introduce to litter box (they usually catch on quickly). Bond through play and gentle handling.

Week 2-3

Gradually expand access to more rooms. Continue socialization with gentle handling and positive experiences.

Month 1-3

Multiple vet visits for vaccine series. Introduce scratching posts and teach appropriate scratching.

Month 4-6

Spay/neuter. Energy may increase during "teenager" phase. Continue play and training.

⚠️Important Considerations

•Kittens are VERY energetic
•They need 3-4 meals per day until 6 months
•Supervision needed - they get into everything
•Scratching and biting are normal play behaviors to redirect
•Socialization window is 2-7 weeks (often missed by adopters)

Frequently Asked Questions

My kitten bites and scratches during play. How do I stop this?▼

Never use hands as toys — always use wand toys. When biting occurs, say "ouch!" and stop play for 30 seconds. Redirect to appropriate toys. This is normal kitten behavior; they're learning bite inhibition.

Why is my kitten running around at 3 AM?▼

Welcome to "kitten zoomies!" Young cats are crepuscular (most active at dawn/dusk). Increase interactive play before bedtime to tire them out. This usually calms down with age.

Should I get one kitten or two?▼

If you can afford two, get two! Solo kittens often develop behavioral issues from boredom and may play too roughly with humans. Two kittens entertain each other, learn proper cat social skills together, and are honestly double the joy.

When should my kitten be spayed/neutered?▼

Generally around 4-6 months, before sexual maturity. Some shelters do this as early as 8 weeks before adoption. Consult your vet for the best timing for your kitten.

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