Spring in Australia means warmer days, longer evenings, flowers popping up everywhere… and lots and lots of kittens.
Yep, kitten season is here.
And whether you’ve been planning for months to bring home a kitten, you’ve just fallen in love with one unexpectedly, or a tiny ball of fluff has somehow found its way into your life (they do have a habit of doing that!), those first few weeks can feel equal parts exciting and overwhelming.
There is so much advice out there that it’s easy to think you need to buy half the pet shop before your kitten arrives.
You really don’t.
So here’s our simple guide to what your new kitten actually needs — and a few things that can wait.
First things first: what is kitten season?
Cats can breed throughout the year, but as the days become longer, breeding activity increases. In Australia, kitten season generally starts around spring and continues through the warmer months.
That means shelters and rescue organisations often see a big increase in kittens needing care at this time of year.
It also means there are lots of new kitten parents wondering:
What on earth do I need to buy?
Let’s make that part easy.
🍽️ Good kitten food
This is one of the things worth getting right from the beginning.
Kittens are growing incredibly quickly and their nutritional needs are different from adult cats, so look for food specifically made for kittens or growth.
If your kitten is already eating a particular food with their breeder, foster carer or rescue organisation, don’t feel you need to change it immediately.
Moving home is already a huge change for a tiny kitten.
New people. New smells. New rooms. New noises.
Keeping their food familiar for a little while can make the transition easier. If you do want to change foods, introduce the new food gradually rather than suddenly switching everything overnight.
And despite the classic image of a kitten happily drinking a saucer of milk, cow’s milk isn’t something kittens need and can upset their tummy.
Fresh, clean water should always be available.
🚽 A litter tray — and litter your kitten is comfortable using
The glamorous side of kitten parenting. 😄
Most kittens learn to use a litter tray surprisingly quickly.
Choose a tray that your kitten can easily climb into and place it somewhere quiet and easy to reach. Try not to put it right next to their food and water.
Then comes the big question:
Which cat litter?
There isn’t one perfect answer for every cat.
Some cats prefer certain textures. Some households care most about odour control. Others want something highly absorbent, low tracking or easy to clean.
If your kitten has already been using a particular type of litter, sticking with something familiar initially can help.
And one little tip from us: don’t buy six months’ worth of a new litter before discovering whether your cat actually likes it.
Cats have opinions.
Strong ones.
You’ll find that out soon enough. 😂
🏠 Somewhere safe to hide and sleep
A new kitten doesn’t need an elaborate designer bed.
They need somewhere they feel safe.
Moving into a new home can be frightening when you’re tiny and everything around you is enormous.
A comfortable bed, blanket, cardboard box or covered little hiding space can give your kitten somewhere to retreat when they’ve had enough excitement.
Don’t worry if they hide at first.
Give them time. Sit nearby. Talk quietly. Let them come and investigate you when they’re ready.
Trust is much nicer when it isn’t rushed.
🧶 Toys and things to do
Kittens have two modes:
Asleep.
And…
ABSOLUTE CHAOS.
Play isn’t just entertainment. It’s part of how kittens learn, exercise and explore.
You don’t need dozens of toys. A few different types are plenty to begin with — something to chase, something to bat around and an interactive toy you can use to play together.
Rotate toys rather than leaving everything out all the time. An old toy disappearing for a week and magically returning can apparently become the greatest invention in feline history.
Just be careful with string, ribbons and small objects that could be swallowed. Interactive toys with strings or cords are best put away once playtime is over.
🪵 Something they’re allowed to scratch
Your kitten is going to scratch.
That’s normal cat behaviour, not your kitten being naughty.
Scratching helps cats stretch, maintain their claws and leave scent and visual marks.
So rather than trying to teach them not to scratch, give them somewhere appropriate to do it.
A scratching post or scratching surface placed somewhere your kitten spends time can make both kitten and sofa much happier.
🩺 A vet visit belongs on the checklist too
Not everything your kitten needs comes from a pet shop.
One of the most important things you can do is establish a relationship with a vet.
Your vet can help you work through vaccinations, parasite prevention, microchipping, desexing, nutrition and any other health questions you have.
Parasite treatments in particular aren’t something to guess based on the prettiest box. Products can vary depending on your kitten’s age and weight, so always read the label carefully and ask your vet when you’re unsure.
Keep a little record of what was given and when.
Future-you will be grateful.
🐾 Kitten-proof your home
Kittens are ridiculously good at finding things you didn’t realise were accessible.
Before your kitten arrives, get down to their level and look around.
Loose cords, string, hair ties, medicines, cleaning products, open windows, balconies, tiny gaps behind furniture and certain household plants can all cause problems.
Basically, imagine you’ve invited a very small, extremely athletic toddler into your house.
Except this toddler can climb curtains.
❤️ And finally, they need you
This one doesn’t come in a shopping bag.
Your kitten doesn’t need the most expensive bed, seventeen toys or a house that looks like a cat playground on Instagram.
They need good food, fresh water, a clean place to toilet, somewhere safe to sleep, opportunities to play and scratch, appropriate veterinary care…
…and people who are patient enough to let them settle in.
Some kittens will walk into your house like they own it within ten minutes.
Others might spend the first couple of days hiding under furniture and looking at you suspiciously.
Both are okay.
Let your kitten tell you how quickly they’re ready to explore their new world.
Before long, you’ll probably be wondering how something weighing barely a couple of kilos managed to take over your entire house.
Welcome to kitten parenting. 🐾
New kitten shopping checklist
You don’t need everything at once. Start with the essentials:
- Age-appropriate kitten food
- Food and water bowls
- Litter tray and suitable cat litter
- A comfortable sleeping/hiding area
- Scratching post or scratching surface
- A few safe kitten toys
- Secure carrier for trips and vet visits
- Grooming basics appropriate for their coat
- Vet-recommended parasite prevention
And plenty of patience.
Hills Pet Mates is a small local pet store in Cherrybrook, Sydney, run by pet people too. If you’re preparing for a new kitten and aren’t sure what you actually need, have a look through our kitten and cat essentials — or simply ask us. We’d much rather help you choose what makes sense for your kitten than sell you something you don’t need. 🐾
This article provides general pet-care information and isn’t a substitute for veterinary advice. Your vet is the best person to advise you about your kitten’s individual health, vaccination, nutrition and parasite-prevention needs.