My kitty has a lot of energy, especially during the nighttime hours. What can I do to burn off this energy so I can get a good night’s sleep?

We call this the “nighttime crazies” and you are not alone! Cats naturally have a hunting-feeding-grooming-sleeping sequence, and you have an active role to play. Before feeding your cat at bedtime, start an active and vigorous play session full of games like hide and seek, fetch, or even “Paper Bag Prey.” We hope to have you sleeping through the night in no time. Check out more ways to Create an Enriching Environment for Your Kitten.

When do I swap from kitten food to adult food?

Your kitten’s nutritional needs will change as they grow into adulthood. Around 12 months is when your cat doesn’t need the extra calories that they needed as a kitten. There is a process to transitioning their food over time. Learn about when Your Kitten Ready for Adult Cat Food.

What care tips can help my kitten live a long and healthy life?

You are already on your way to proactive pet parenting by asking this question, way to go! The IAMS™ brand has 5 Tips to Help Your Kitten Live a Long & Healthy Life . We suggest scheduling regular medical checkups with your veterinarian, feeding a high-quality diet, encouraging exercise through play, and providing them a clean and safe living environment. Finally, spend quality time together and shower them with love and affection – you both will benefit!

HELP! My kitten has started to bite and attack me out of nowhere. How do I stop this behavior?

Your kitten may have forgotten their manners, but not to worry! When your kitten bites or shows aggression, sternly say “ouch” or “no” while pulling your hand away. You can then choose between placing the kitten away from you and ignoring them or redirecting them play with a toy instead. Stay consistent with your approach and learn more Tips to Train a Kitten .

How do I train a kitten to use the litter box?

Litterbox training can sound like a daunting task, but thankfully your kitten’s natural instinct comes into play when starting this process. First, make sure the litterbox is easily accessible for your kitten and the box is clean. Bring your kitten to the box and start to scratch the litter to get your kitten’s attention. When they use the box successfully, make sure to give them praise and reward. Learn more about How to Litter-box Train Your Cat.

We have a cat at home, and I am excited to introduce them to our new kitten, where should I start?

Cats are great, and we know how exciting it is to add another one to your family. However, your current cat may not share the same excitement when accepting a new family member. It is crucial to take your time and ensure the introduction is handled with care so that both cats feel comfortable and have minimal stress. For additional information, check out our Tips to Introduce a New Cat to help ease their first meeting.

Should I be concerned leaving my kitten home alone?

It can be stressful for you and your kitten when you are not there. However, by providing enrichment opportunities like games and entertainment, you can leave the home with peace of mind. There is an assortment of cat puzzles toys that hide food or treats that help keep cats stimulated. Or another simple solution is opening the window blinds to a high activity area (ex. birds, pedestrians, etc.) so they can watch and observe the outdoor world. Learn How to Create an Enriching Environment for Your Kitten .

The Kitten food selection at the pet store is overwhelming. What are some of the key nutrients I should look for?

The IAMS™ brand wants you to have all the facts so that you are informed and empowered to make nutrition decisions. For kittens and cats, look for Taurine and Docosahexaenoic acid (aka “DHA”) in their food . These are essential nutrients needed for healthy development such as, normal heart muscle function and vision. That why IAMS™ kitten food is formulated with high quality protein that contains sources of taurine and DHA. Check out the IAMS™ Food Selector to find the right nutrition for your kitten.

I just brought home a new kitten; how do I transition them to a new food?

First, congratulations on your new furry addition! Secondly, there’s no one-size-fits-all for choosing the right food since all cats differ in breed, size, lifestyle, age, health conditions and so on. One easy way to learn more about you kitten’s nutrition needs is to DNA test with a WISDOM PANEL™ test kit. Once you learn more about their breed breakout, the IAMS™ Food Selector can help you determine the appropriate nutrition choices.

What are ways that I can kitten-proof my house and make it safe?

Way to think ahead, you are already being a proactive pet parent! Kittens are adventurous and it’s important to cat-proof your home so they are safe from items that can be harmful. Look around your house and secure household cleaners, chemicals, toxic plants and foods, and medications. For a consolidated list of these items along with more tips, we have Everything You Need to Know when adopting a new cat or kitten.

I am preparing to bring home a kitten and I cannot find resources on training. Are cats even trainable?

Yes, cats are very trainable! When bringing a new cat into your home, there are a lot of learnings you will experience with your cat. In fact, did you know there are 5 distinct cat personalities? Each responds differently to training. We have compiled a list of the 5 different cat personalities (Skittish, Outgoing, Dominant, Spontaneous, and Friendly) and how to train each one. Check out Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten.

I want to get a kitten, is there something I should be aware of when choosing the right cat for me?

A cat can provide warmth, humor and enjoyment to you and your home. However, the IAMS™ brand suggests doing your research on what kind of cat is best for you based on your home and lifestyle. When it’s time to go and formally meet your future cat, take the time to consider the “whole cat”. Try not to focus on one element, like color. Instead, assess their personality, level of friendliness, if they are more vocal versus quiet, and their overall energy level. Here is our guide for Kitten and Cat Adoption Basics .

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Q:

My kitty has a lot of energy, especially during the nighttime hours. What can I do to burn off this energy so I can get a good night’s sleep?

A:

We call this the “nighttime crazies” and you are not alone! Cats naturally have a hunting-feeding-grooming-sleeping sequence, and you have an active role to play. Before feeding your cat at bedtime, start an active and vigorous play session full of games like hide and seek, fetch, or even “Paper Bag Prey.” We hope to have you sleeping through the night in no time. Check out more ways to Create an Enriching Environment for Your Kitten.
Q:

When do I swap from kitten food to adult food?

A:

Your kitten’s nutritional needs will change as they grow into adulthood. Around 12 months is when your cat doesn’t need the extra calories that they needed as a kitten. There is a process to transitioning their food over time. Learn about when Your Kitten Ready for Adult Cat Food.
Q:

What care tips can help my kitten live a long and healthy life?

A:

You are already on your way to proactive pet parenting by asking this question, way to go! The IAMS™ brand has 5 Tips to Help Your Kitten Live a Long & Healthy Life. We suggest scheduling regular medical checkups with your veterinarian, feeding a high-quality diet, encouraging exercise through play, and providing them a clean and safe living environment. Finally, spend quality time together and shower them with love and affection – you both will benefit!
Q:

HELP! My kitten has started to bite and attack me out of nowhere. How do I stop this behavior?

A:

Your kitten may have forgotten their manners, but not to worry! When your kitten bites or shows aggression, sternly say “ouch” or “no” while pulling your hand away. You can then choose between placing the kitten away from you and ignoring them or redirecting them play with a toy instead. Stay consistent with your approach and learn more Tips to Train a Kitten.

SEE ALL

BE PREPARED FOR EVERY STAGE OF YOUR KITTEN'S LIFE

PREPARING FOR YOUR KITTEN

HERE FOR YOU, ALL THE WAY

HELPFUL TIPS TO PREPARE FOR YOUR KITTEN

KITTEN
AND CAT ADOPTION BASICS

HOW
TO CREATE AN ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR KITTEN

OUR
FAVORITE TIPS TO TRAIN A KITTEN

Adopt a Pet

KITTEN CARE

HELPFUL TIPS FOR BRINGING YOUR KITTEN HOME

CARING
FOR A NEW KITTEN: THE FIRST 6 MONTHS

KITTEN
TRAINING: HOW TO LITTER-BOX TRAIN YOUR CAT

KITTEN
BASICS: TAKING CARE OF YOUR KITTEN’S ORAL HEALTH

COMPLETE NUTRITION FOR KITTENS

WATCHING YOUR KITTEN GROW

IAMS™ KITTEN NUTRITION

HELPFUL TIPS FOR WATCHING YOUR KITTEN GROW

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