Whether for memory purposes, convenience, or practicality, the comfort of routine seems obvious. The same rationale for incorporating routine in our own lives also applies to a growing feline. In particular, it helps to establish sleep patterns, litter training, proper behavior, and bonding. Today, we’ll look at a basic daily regimen you can use for your kitten to help them live their best lives possible!
Begin the Day
While the timing is flexible, starting your kitten’s day within the first hour or so of waking is ideal. Optimally, cat owners should choose a time that works for them and their feline.
Morning Meal
High-Quality Kitten Food - Nutritional options abound, but it’s essential to find a recipe that meets AAFCO’s nutritional requirements for the growth of kittens. Often, kittens will do well with 3–4 small meals per day. Check out our Kitten Nutrition 101 blog for a deep dive on what to feed your kitten, how much to feed them, and how often!
Provide Fresh Water Daily - In our water-obsessed culture, it’s become the norm to see us bipeds walking around with a personal aqua receptacle providing constant hydration. With kittens requiring a half cup of water for every 5 pounds of body weight daily, water is equally important for our feline companions. The good news is that in addition to drinking, hydration can be achieved through the high moisture content in foods.
Maintain Your Kitten’s Litter Box
Be sure to scoop waste from your kitten’s litter box at least twice daily. Keeping the box clean is essential, and the box itself should be in a quiet spot to provide necessary privacy and help your kitten feel secure.
Don’t Forget to Play!
Play is a great release of energy and form of exercise that also provides wonderful opportunities for bonding. 10-15 minutes of activity at the start of the day helps burn energy and prevent biting behavior, making daily play especially valuable for kittens!
Middle of the Day
2nd Meal
Meals can be equal portions of daily intake, but kittens also respond well with smaller portions for their mid-day meal. Monitor a kitten's fluid intake and possibly incorporate wet food to increase hydration.
Socialization & Training
5-10 minutes of daily socialization and training can make all the difference for a growing kitten! Here are some simple exercises you can do to get started:
- Practice gentle handling with your kitten to help build confidence and form a closer bond
- Teach name recognition
- Reward calm behavior with praise, positive attention, or perhaps even a crunchy treat!
Nap Time
Just like human babies, growing kittens need sleep throughout the day to rest and recharge. Kittens are known for sleeping up to 20 hours a day, so allow plenty of time for naps!
Dinnertime
3rd Meal
There’s no better time than dinnertime! The timing of your kitten’s last meal of the day can vary to fit your schedule. For young ones, you can also feed them a 4th meal as growing kittens require several smaller meals throughout the day.
Active Play
15-20 minutes of play after dinnertime allows for a release of energy before bed, possibly reducing those nocturnal “zoomies.” Mimic your feline’s hunter instincts by playing games like chase or catch.
Grooming
If needed, reserve some time in your kitten’s daily routine for grooming. Brushing your kitten’s fur, especially for long-haired breeds, and checking their eyes, ears, and teeth weekly with guidance from your vet goes a long way in maintaining your kitten’s health. For nail trimming, a good rule of thumb is to trim a kitten’s nails at least once, but possibly twice a month. Nail trimming fosters a kitten's comfort with having their paws handled while bolstering trust. The feline lovers at Catster offer some solid vet-approved advice for getting the job done.
Important Health Benchmarks
- Make your kitten’s first vet visit at 6-8 weeks old
- Follow vaccines, deworming, and overall health maintenance schedule established with your vet
- Discuss spay/neuter timing with your vet
Building a Great Foundation with RAWZ!
Even the best structure won’t stand sturdily without a solid foundation, and cats are no different. Starting your kitten’s life with minimally processed, meat-focused nutrition from RAWZ is a great start!
Check out our wet recipes formulated specifically for kittens like Chicken & Tuna or Beef & Beef Liver on our product page. You can also explore our where to buy page to find your nearest RAWZ retail partner.
