Kitten Care by Age: What to Expect in Their First Year

So much happens in a kitten’s first year. From their very first steps to their growing confidence around the home, each stage brings something new. Knowing what to expect and how to support them helps your kitten grow in the most natural way.

This guide breaks down your kitten’s first twelve months into key milestones, offering practical advice on feeding, socialisation, healthcare, and more. Whether you’ve just welcomed a kitten or are planning ahead, here’s how to care for them every step of the way.

0 to 3 weeks: Dependent and delicate

In these early weeks, kittens rely entirely on their mother for warmth and nutrition.

Developmental milestones:

• Kittens begin to open their eyes between 7 to 10 days of age, but their vision is blurry at first.
• Their ears start to unfold by week 3, allowing them to start responding to sound.
• Movement is limited to crawling and wriggling as they build strength.

Care tips:

• Ensure the nest area remains warm and quiet, ideally around 30°C.
• If you’re hand-rearing, offer kitten-specific formula every 2 to 3 hours (yes, that means through the night too!).
• Gently stimulate their toileting after each feed using a soft, damp cloth. Always wipe in a head to tail direction to avoid urinary tract infection.

3 to 5 weeks: Wobbly steps and first play

As their senses develop, kittens begin to explore their surroundings.

Developmental milestones:

• Baby teeth start to appear, allowing them to begin tasting soft food.
• Kittens take their first steps and start to play with littermates.
• You may hear purring and more vocal sounds as they become more social.

Care tips:

• Introduce a shallow litter tray with unscented, non-clumping litter and show them how to use it.
• At week 4, offer small amounts of Applaws complementary wet food while continuing milk feeds.
• Handle your kitten gently each day to build early trust and confidence.

6 to 8 weeks: Weaning and social learning

This is a key period for bonding for kittens, learning and transitioning to solid food.

Developmental milestones:

• Kittens are typically fully weaned by 8 weeks and more confident in their movements.
• They start grooming themselves and others and continue learning social cues from their mother and siblings.
• They respond more actively to human interaction.

Care tips:

• Feed 4 small meals per day using Applaws complete dry food, and add complementary wet food for texture and hydration.
• Schedule your kitten’s first vet check and vaccinations during this stage.
• Encourage positive play and gentle exploration to build trust and curiosity.

Kitten Vaccination Timeline (UK)

• At 8-9 weeks, kittens should have their first set of core vaccinations (cat flu and feline enteritis). Depending on your kitten’s risk factors, cover for FeLV (feline leukaemia virus) may be suggested.
• A second dose is due at 12 weeks.
• A third booster may be offered at 16 – 20 weeks, depending on your vet’s recommendation.
• A rabies vaccination is typically optional and needed only for travel or specific risk scenarios.
• To continue protection into adulthood, a booster vaccination will be needed 12 months later. After that, the frequency of boosters needed by your individual cat can be discussed with your vet at each annual check-up.

8 to 12 weeks: Exploration and bonding

By now, kittens are more agile and ready to develop stronger relationships with their surroundings and carers.

Developmental milestones:

• Coordination improves, making climbing and jumping more frequent.
• Kittens begin showing preferences for certain toys or napping spots.
• Grooming becomes part of their daily routine.

Care tips:

• Stick to 3 to 4 meals a day, balancing nutrition with feeding consistency.
• Keep kittens indoors until at least one week after their second vaccine.
• Begin a regular grooming routine using soft brushes and positive reinforcement, such as gentle praise, strokes or crumbled freeze-dried chicken treats from Applaws.

3 to 6 months: Fast growth and new habits

Kittens grow quickly and begin showing signs of independence.

Developmental milestones:

• Adult teeth start replacing baby teeth, so expect more chewing behaviour.
• They explore boundaries and routines while developing social independence.
• Energy levels increase, so play becomes even more essential.

Care tips:

• Speak to your vet about neutering, which is often recommended from 4 months onward.
• Microchipping is a legal requirement in England and must be done before 20 weeks of age (Top tip: get it done while they are asleep being neutered).
• Provide daily play and mental stimulation through toys, climbing spaces and scratching posts.

6 to 12 Months: Approaching Adulthood

Your kitten is nearly fully grown but still learning through play and exploration.

Developmental milestones:

• Personality traits become more obvious and consistent.
• Most kittens settle into regular sleeping, grooming and activity routines.
• Social maturity continues to develop, even as physical growth slows.

Care tips:

• Continue feeding kitten-specific food until 12 months of age before gradually transitioning to adult recipes.
• Schedule regular health checks and keep up with booster vaccinations.
• Create a stimulating home environment with space for climbing, hiding, watching and resting.

At Applaws, we believe great nutrition should be simple, natural and rooted in real ingredients. Our complete dry kitten food supports every stage of development, while our complementary wet food adds variety and hydration to mealtimes.

From first steps to confident leaps, we’re here to help your kitten grow healthy and happy with food that’s made to nourish naturally.