New Kitten? Tips and Tricks for Taking Care of Your New Best Friend

Bringing Home A New Kitten

Welcoming a new kitten into your home is incredibly exciting—but it also comes with lots of questions and responsibilities. If you’ve just adopted from a shelter or rescue, your kitten is likely between 8–10 weeks old. At this age, they’re weaned, playful, and ready to bond with their new family. Here’s how to take care of a kitten so they grow up happy, healthy, and confident.

Note: If you’ve found a stray litter or very young kitten under 8 weeks old, caring for them is a whole different story. Scroll to the end of this blog for resources on how to take care of a newborn kitten, or reach out to local rescues like PAWS Chicago or Tree House Humane Society for guidance.

How to Take Care of a Kitten (The Basics)

At 8–10 weeks, your kitten will still need plenty of care and structure. Here’s what to focus on in the first few weeks:

• Veterinary care: Responsible rescues, shelters, and breeders will always ensure that your kitten has already had its initial vaccines and, if they’re already old enough, been spayed or neutered before letting you take them home. But you’ll still want to arrange an initial appointment with your preferred, local veterinarian to follow through on your new kit’s wellbeing.
• Create a cozy, safe space: Set up a quiet area with a soft bed, litter box, food and water bowls, and toys. Avoid overwhelming your kitten by keeping them in one room at first.
• Gentle socialization: Start handling your kitten daily with calm energy. Introduce them slowly to family members and other pets.

Kitten Litter Box Training Made Easy

Most kittens from rescues are already familiar with using the litter box. But accidents can sometimes happen in a new environment.

To make kitten litter box training go smoothly:

• Choose a shallow litter pan with unscented, non-clumping litter.
• Keep the box in a quiet, low-traffic area.
• Gently place your kitten in the box after meals, naps, and playtime.
• Clean the box daily—cats are more likely to use a tidy space.

If your kitten seems confused, don’t scold. Instead, gently redirect them to the box and reward them with affection when they use it.

Training and Socializing Your Kitten

Kitten litter box training may sound like a challenge, but most kittens catch on relatively quickly. You should choose a litter box with low sides that’s easy for kittens to access. It’s a good idea to place your kitten in the litter box every hour or so. Move the front paws in a scratching motion and be patient. Kittens usually prefer a sand-type litter. Several brands are designed especially for kittens. Keep the box in one location that’s not close to food and water bowls. When the kitten uses the box, give them praise and a favorite treat to offer even further encouragement.

Kittens should be socialized early to prevent behavioral issues later. Expose your kitten to different sights, sounds, and people. Age-appropriate kitten toys are stimulating and fun for kittens. Exposing your kitten to people of different ages will help with socialization and emotional development.

If you’ll be travelling, or otherwise away from your new cat or kitten, and in need of a reliable cat sitter, be sure to visit Green Paws Chicago’s Chicago cat sitting services today.

What If You’ve Found a Newborn Kitten?

Finding a tiny kitten can be emotional—but it’s important to pause and assess. If the kitten looks clean, warm, and fed, mom may be nearby. It’s often best to wait and monitor from a distance before intervening.

If you do need to care for a kitten under 8 weeks old, it’s important to know that taking care of a newborn kitten involves around-the-clock feeding, stimulation to go to the bathroom, and temperature regulation. This level of care is typically handled by experienced fosters or shelters.

We strongly recommend contacting a rescue group or your local animal shelter for help. TNR (trap-neuter-release) programs also help prevent future litters.

If you’re in the Chicago area, organizations like Tree House Humane Society, PAWS Chicago, and Anti-Cruelty Society offer resources for TNR and stray/feral cat support.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to take care of a kitten means giving them love, structure, and the right environment to thrive. Whether you’re litter training, figuring out the best food for kittens, or introducing them to your home, patience is key.

Enjoy every moment—they grow up fast!

Need local help with de-shedding, kitten-proofing, or supplies? We’d love to be part of your kitten journey—reach out to our team anytime!