2-4 months

Intense growth period

The kitten starts to understand its place in the world and develops behaviours that will stay with them for life.

British Shorthair kitten standing in black and white on a white background

Tailored nutrition for your kitten

Nutritional formulas that help to build your kitten's natural defences, support healthy growth, and aid in digestive system development.

Kitten products

Adult cat sitting down drinking from a white bowl.

Kitten nutrition explained

Kitten Sacred Birman sitting indoors eating from a white bowl.

Kitten feeding guide by development stage

Kitten cat lying down on an examination table being given an injection.

Kitten vaccinations

Adult cat lying down on owners knee while being groomed with a red brush.

Hygiene and grooming tips for your kitten

Kitten cat standing on a wooden windowsill.

Preparing your home for your new kitten

Young cat lying down on an examination table in a vets office.

Feline rhinotrachetitis in cats

Kitten cat sitting down on an examination table being checked over by a vet.

Preparing for your kitten's first vet visit

Two kitten cats one lying down one standing up playing with each other indoors with a brown dog lying down behind.

Tips for training your kitten

Distemper in cats

Kitten cat sitting next to its owner playing with their hands.

Introducing your kitten to family members

Kitten cat sitting indoors by an orange food bowl.

What to feed kittens

Adult cat sitting outdoors in long grass.

When does my kitten become a cat?

Feline infectious peritonitis

Cat leukaemia

Adult cat lying down on a cat tree scratching a pole.

Essential items for your new kitten

Young cat lying down on an examination table being checked over by a vet.

Chlamydophila felis

How to help your kitten stay in shape

Internal parasites in cats

Young cat sitting on an examination table being checked over by a vet.

Calicivirus in cats

Kitten cats walking outdoors in long grass.

5 key milestones in your kitten's growth

Health

From around 8 weeks, your kitten will be at the ideal age to begin their core vaccinations, with secondary injections required three to five weeks after. This is an important process in ensuring each kitten has the right protection for their adult life. Consult your vet to make sure a vaccination schedule is in place.

Nutrition

Some nutrients still can’t be digested, so ensuring that the kitten has food tailored to their developmental stage is important. This makes sure that they get the nutrients and energy they need during the important developmental phase.

Siamese kitten sitting on an examination table at the vets

Behaviour

This is the stage at which the kitten’s behaviour is most influenced by others, including litter mates, other pets and humans. They also begin to understand their position within the household and may begin to form dominant and submissive behaviours depending on their experiences and training.

Development

This is a key stage in its development of human relationships, so ensuring consistency and offering support and affection is key.

Environment

Kittens can begin to be moved away from their mother and introduced to new homes at around 12 weeks. If you are bringing a kitten home, it’s important to make sure that their new environment is fully prepared, with electrical wires and sockets covered, windows, balconies and stairs secured and any sharp or small objects tidied away.

4-8 weeks

Weaning period

Kittens’ physical development speeds up and the weaning process begins. This a vital stage for learning from their mother and siblings.

Previous stage

Somali adult lying down in black and white on a white background

4 months +

Sustained growth period

Adulthood approaches, and the kitten gradually reaches full physical maturity.

Next stage