A new kitten brings a lot to a household: excitement, cuteness, the odd stray puddle of pee.

What they don’t come with is a rulebook. The first year of life with a young cat is about learning – usually the hard way – for both you and your kitten. Together, you’ll discover the joys of improper boundary testing, improbable exploration, inexplicable behaviour and inevitable mistakes.

The arrival of your mischievous new friend marks the beginning of a deep and rewarding relationship which will delight and surprise you for years to come. But during the first 12 months, you’ll learn what they should and shouldn’t eat, where they want to explore and where it’s safe to do so (invariably two separate places), how they like to play and how they interact with their new home.

You’ll also learn the cost of keeping your kitten fed and healthy. Young cats need just as much from you as a puppy would, but with a bit of research and forward thinking, you can prepare for everything and discover rich emotional rewards. Welcome to kittenhood.

EVERYDAY COSTS

As any owner will tell you, life with a cat is far from a hands-off experience. A cat’s independence only stretches so far, and certainly not into the realm of finance.

That’s why you’ll be footing the bill for scratching posts, stuffed animals and other toys to keep your kitten entertained indoors. You’ll need a bed, a litter box and a steady supply of litter.

Then there are the vaccinations, the desexing, the microchipping and council registration all kittens require, as well as the expense of a pet insurance policy should you choose to have one for any unexpected accidents or health issues.

And of course, there’s food. Your kitten will take time to develop their tastes, so expect to try several different kinds of cat cuisine. When they suddenly hate the food they previously loved, you’ll be forking out for a range of new ones. And when they ultimately decide to go back to the original, that’s just part of the fun.

There are also other kinds of costs: time and vigilance. You’ll have to invest in enrichment time every day: pats to make them feel safe, comfortable and loved, and play to keep them happy and engaged (as well as to stop them destroying things and developing bad habits).

Depending on your kitten’s personality and energy levels, this environmental enrichment may require some out-of-the-box thinking (literally, as appealing as an empty cardboard box is). And as your kitten explores their new home, they’ll need your guidance to learn what’s safe.

WHY KITTENS GET SICK OR HURT

Your new kitten is at a stage of life that’s all about discovering boundaries and limits. These are not always clear, and you won’t always be around, so there will be times when play gets too rough or an expedition goes awry.

The first rule of cat club is cats are not invincible. Scratches, bumps or even fractures can and will happen. Minor injuries will heal, but your first trip to the vet for one of these prangs probably won’t be the last.

This curiosity can also lead kittens to things that look and smell delicious. The mouth test, so popular among this age group, can backfire spectacularly with the risk of ingesting a foreign object very high.

Not helping this situation is your kitten’s developing immune system. Digestive upsets, eye infections and especially ear issues will be common in the early months.

While these can ease in time, other, more persistent conditions such as arthritis can develop at this young age and last into adulthood, so pet parents should keep a close eye on their new kitten’s wellbeing. The earlier you can detect an emerging health condition, the easier the treatment will be throughout your cat’s life, and the more comfortable they’ll be.

According to PetSure’s FY25 claims data*, 8.8 percent of claims for cats aged under 12 months were related to ingestion, trauma or poisoning. For older cats, these claims reduce to six percent.

TOP KITTEN HEALTH CONDITIONS (PetSure claims data* for cats aged under 12 months)

RANK Condition Avg cost for treatment* Highest cost for treatment*^
1 Gastrointestinal conditions $703 $13,918
2 Eye conditions $313 $3,874
3 Ear infections $337 $4,736

 

YOUR ROLE AS OWNER

Your first year with a kitten will be a learning experience for both of you; they’ll learn by trial and error, and if you’re a first-time cat owner, you will too.

Rather than being the hands-off, completely independent cat of imagination, a kitten requires patience, care and regular attention.

Before your kitten arrives home, cat-proof your house by alleviating potential dangers and keeping tempting hazards – plants, cords, small objects, human food – out of reach.

Your furry new friend will also need a safe, stimulating play environment to help them learn safe boundaries. Consider toys, challenges, necessities (such as scratching posts) and rewards. Make their playthings tangible and resist laser pointers; cats need the satisfaction of catching what they chase, so always make sure playtime ends with a treat or a reward.

And while illness and injury are inevitable, make sure to maintain regular vet checks to help support your kitten’s growth and development. Provide complete and balanced nutrition and be patient as your cat develops their taste. It’s also worth considering taking out a pet insurance policy at this early stage. The sooner the policy, the easier it is to mitigate any pre-existing conditions that may not be covered down the line.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Yes, it’s messy, chaotic and sometimes pricey, but kittenhood is also incredibly rewarding. The foundation of a healthy, happy cat begins here, and as the responsible adult you play a major part in giving your new pet a wonderful life.

For more tips to help prepare for your kitten’s first year at home, check out the PetSure Knowledge Hub.

 

*Based on PetSure claims data FY24 as at Feb 2025. Amount claimed per policy over a 12-month period. Reimbursement for these claims under a pet insurance policy would be subject to limits, such as annual benefit limits or sub-limits, benefit percentage, applicable waiting periods and any applicable excess. Cover is subject to the policy terms and conditions. You should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording available from the relevant provider. Please note that values calculated are based on all claims for that condition and medically related conditions in each calendar year. ^Pet insurance policies can have an annual limit between $5,000 – $30,000 to assist with eligible treatment costs.