To pick a calm kitten, observe the litter for quiet, confident kittens who engage gently in play, not the instigators, and look for those who settle easily when picked up and purr, indicating security and a relaxed nature, ideally from a mother cat who is friendly and well-socialized, as they often mimic her. Focus on kittens who are curious but not overwhelmed by their environment and show relaxed body language, not hiding or overly fearful, ensuring they've had good early handling.
If a kitten had a lot of gentle handling by many different humans as a youngster he or she will likely be a relaxed and affectionate pet. Kittens handled roughly are more prone to biting and scratching when they are petted.
The kitten 3-3-3 rule is a guideline for helping a new cat or kitten adjust to a new home, breaking the process into stages: 3 days to decompress (they may hide and feel overwhelmed), 3 weeks to start settling in (learning routines and exploring), and 3 months to feel truly at home (showing their full personality and bonding). This rule emphasizes patience, providing a safe space (often one room initially), and establishing consistent routines for feeding and play to build trust and reduce stress.
The ragdoll is one of the calmest and cuddliest cats around. In fact, the breed earned its name thanks to these cats' endearing tendency of melting limply into your arms while you hold them. Ragdolls are known to be exceptional with gentle kids, and they get along well with other pets, too.
Picking a healthy kitten starts with evaluating its appearance. Healthy kittens will have bright eyes that are free of discharge. Another thing to look for is that a coat that's clean and shiny and ears that are free of dirt. Healthy kittens won't be sneezing, squinting or appear to have cold-like symptoms.
You can find lots of advice on choosing a cat in our guide, but let's focus on the question: are male or female cats better? The truth is, as long as they are neutered (which we highly recommend) there really isn't much difference between getting a male or female cat.
Anything with clay or silica. Any litter with sodium bentonite clay. Any litter with silica crystals or silica dust. Clay litters that claim to be dust-free (some sort of chemical dust suppressant was used)
Different cat breeds have distinct behaviors: some show affection with cuddles, while others are more playful and curious. There are 73 recognized cat breeds, many known for their friendly personalities. Some of the friendliest cat breeds are Maine Coon, Siamese, Burmese, and Ragdoll cats.
The good news is that most kittens calm down with age. Cats develop much quicker than their hooman families so you can expect your kitten to slow down at around 9-14 months as they advance into adulthood.
Think those outgoing kittens that are non-stop bundles of energy and rarely sit still. A high intensity kitten is one that runs at full speed and jumps on their littermates. If you try to pick one up, they'll squirm and wiggle. High intensity kittens become assertive and fearless cats.
Your kitten will sleep best if they have a cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed while life goes on around them. Although adult cats like to climb and sleep on high perches, such as on top of furniture, it's safest for young kittens if their beds are low down to begin with.
The top "silent killers" in cats are Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), often progressing until 75% kidney failure, and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart muscle disease, both often showing few symptoms until advanced stages, along with Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver), leading to sudden illness or organ failure if undetected. Early detection through regular vet check-ups, blood tests, and monitoring for subtle changes like increased thirst/urination, weight loss, or hiding is crucial for managing these common, often hidden, feline diseases, says this article.
Signs of Anxiety in Cats
Dos and don'ts for first-time kitten owners
The most common mistakes are forcing a cat to be held or not supporting their body in a way that makes them feel comfortable and safe. According to our experts, cat parents should avoid: Picking up a cat by the scruff of the neck.
The "two kitten rule" is a common recommendation from animal rescues and experts to adopt kittens in pairs (or a kitten with an older companion cat) because it promotes better social skills, reduces behavioral problems like biting/scratching, provides an outlet for their high energy, and leads to calmer, happier cats, making them easier for owners to manage long-term. This rule helps kittens learn bite inhibition and appropriate play from each other, preventing issues like "Tarzan syndrome" where single kittens may become overly rough with humans.
Cat behavior red flags signal potential medical or emotional issues, including sudden changes in eating/drinking, litter box problems, excessive vocalization, increased hiding, aggression, lethargy, or changes in grooming (like overgrooming or stopping). Because cats hide illness well, any significant deviation from their normal routine, such as increased thirst, appetite changes, or unusual hiding, warrants an urgent vet visit to rule out serious underlying conditions like kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or pain.
How To Train Your Kitten to be a Lap Cat, 9 Tips
Friendliest Cat Breeds
However, in general, male cats are often known to be more friendly, easygoing, and attention seeking while female cats can be more independent, cautious, and reserved.
Cats demonstrating fear aggression may flatten their ears against their heads, hiss, bare their teeth, or crouch low to the ground with their tail tucked under their body, and their fur may stand on end.
Once you have found your litter, choose a kitten that seems happy and confident and that wants to meet and be cuddled by you keeping an eye out for aggressive or timid behaviour. If you've had pets before, you'll know they come with their own patterns of behaviour.
If you want to make a greener choice for your cat's litter box, our vets recommend Arm & Hammer's Naturals clumping cat litter. Made from plant-based corn fibers, this eco-friendly litter is highly absorbent and offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional clay options.
Vets often discourage closed litter boxes because they trap odors, creating a stressful and unpleasant environment for cats with sensitive noses, and they make cats feel vulnerable by limiting their escape and ability to see potential threats, which can lead to anxiety or litter box avoidance and inappropriate urination/defecation, even though some studies show no universal preference if kept spotless.
According to OSHA.gov, “Crystalline silica has been classified as a human lung carcinogen. Additionally, breathing crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis, which in severe cases can be disabling, or even fatal.