Ideal Kitten Timeline

Following the timeline below will maximize your likelihood of raising a confident, well-mannered and

enjoyable lifelong feline companion.

Steps to take:

7 weeks old:

  • First kitten vaccine

6-9 weeks old:

  • Best age to leave mom and littermates is 8 weeks of age.

  • Keep kitten confined to one room with easy access to food dish, water dish and a shallow litter pan.

  • Offer a mix of canned and dry kitten foods to prevent ‘food fixation’

  • Introduce a scratching post and hiding boxes

11 weeks old:

  • Second kitten vaccines

10-14 weeks old:

  • Begin to allow access to rest of home

  • Introduce a second litter pan location-

  • Start nail trims: 1 paw per day, repeat every 2-3 weeks

  • Start offering dry food in puzzle toys or mazes

  • Encourage scratching post use – play games, cat nip

  • Introduce a ceiling height cat post, if possible

15 weeks old:

  • 3rd kitten vaccines

15-22 weeks old:

  • Continue nail trims

  • Start home oral care – wipe teeth daily with soft gauze

  • Continue feeding in puzzle toys

19 weeks old:

  • 1st feline leukemia vaccine if cat will be permitted outdoors or if at risk of occasional escape

22 weeks old:

  • Final feline leukemia vaccine

  • Schedule for spay/neuter

The feline leukemia vaccine indicated for cats who spend any time at all outdoors. It is suggested for all

kittens in case of accidental escape. If the cat is living indoors only with no escapes at 1 year of age, the

leukemia vaccine can be discontinued.