Think of kittens just like you would human babies. They are curious, energetic, playful, and prone to being mischievous. In their first year after you bring them home, they will need a lot of help from you as they grow and develop and become part of your family. At this stage, feeding is also crucial as they need to get all of their nutrients to grow up healthy.
Just like human children, your little kitten will need help to learn the rules, especially with using the litter box. You will also need to help guide them with what things are acceptable as toys and what is not. It is wise to put away things that kittens might like to get into such as house plants and loose cords. (Don’t worry, you’ll find out soon enough what you need to put away!). This will just keep you from getting frustrated with your kitten, and it will keep them from hurting themselves. They will learn how to act and interact from you, so be sure to socialize them with your family members, strangers, and other pets if you have them.
The more time you spend with them, the more social they will be as they get older. You will also need a little patience in the beginning stages! Since kittens are playful and curious, they will do things you might not want them to do, and they will take a lot of energy to keep up with! But, no one can deny a kitten’s skill at winning hearts despite their mischievous behavior! Be sure to take your kitten for their first appointment after you bring them home, so that they can get their vaccinations, and your vet can give you some tips for raising young cats.