Your kitten will start to become much livelier and more outgoing at this age! They’ll need less naps and more playtime, to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. If they have been well socialized from a young age, you’ll have a friendly companion by now. If you haven't done it already, now is the time to get them booked in for microchipping, neutering and vaccinations.

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If your kitten has been well socialized, they'll be friendly, confident and inquisitive. They’ll have lots of energy and will hide, stalk, chase and pounce – mimicking natural hunting behaviors. They’ll want to investigate everything around them and will need lots of toys and scratching posts to keep them entertained. Don’t forget to leave an open cat carrier out as well. This allows them to explore the carrier in their own time and become used to it, which will make car trips and veterinary visits an easier and calmer experience. It’s also a good idea to keep a quick release/safety collar on them, as well as a microchip, so that they can be easily returned to you if they get lost. Even if your cat doesn’t have access to an outdoor space, they may manage to escape when a door or window is open. Microchips are now a legal requirement for cats in the UK. Your kitten can become sexually mature before 6 months and may well try to escape to find a mate. Female kittens may begin to show signs of being in heat (estrus) including increased affection, rolling around on the floor and vocalizing.

By now you should have a feeding routine for your kitten, which usually involves 3 meals a day, at roughly the same time every day. Stick to this routine to help your kitten feel secure and to strengthen the bond between you. Your kitten should be on a good quality complete diet, suitable for their age. This can be wet food, dry food, or a combination of the two. Use the feeding guidelines to ensure you are giving your pet the right amount of food each day. If your kitten has been eating moistened dry food, you can start to reduce the amount of water that you add. If you are concerned about your kitten’s weight, you can book them in to see a veterinarian or veterinary nurse for a check-up. They may advise you to adjust the amount of food that you give to your cat. Make sure you weigh their food accurately to ensure they are getting the correct amount. Remember that their dry food allowance can be used in puzzle toys to provide mental and physical stimulation.

Your kitten will groom itself, but you should get them used to being brushed too, especially if they have long fur. Gently brush or comb in the direction of hair growth, taking extra care when you reach a knot or tangle. Most can be gently brushed out, but some may need carefully trimming out. Short-haired coats are easy to maintain but a long-haired coat will need brushing regularly to keep it tangle and mat free. Grooming also gives you a chance to check for any signs of parasites, skin disease or other health problems, and is a great way to bond with your pet. You can make grooming a special bonding time by providing your cat with an elevated comfortable spot with a blanket and small licks of a special cat food or cat treat throughout (take care not to overfeed by premeasuring the amount). Observe your cat for any signs of fear, anxiety, or stress associated with grooming and take it slow. Keep grooming sessions short to ensure an enjoyable experience.  Between 3 and 6 months old, a kitten’s baby teeth will start to fall out to make way for the adult teeth to come through. Your kitten may start to chew things around the house to help alleviate their teething pains. Make sure you have lots of cat toys otherwise they might chew on your belongings! All 30 adult teeth should have come through by the time they’re 6 months old. It can be a good idea to get your kitten comfortable with having their mouth touched from a young age. This will allow you to keep an eye on their oral health and make veterinary examinations easier. To maintain good oral health, introduce tooth brushing once all of the adult teeth have come in. Starting before then could create avoidance because the gums will be sensitive. Keep up with the toothbrushing at least 3 times a week if your cat will let you. Make sure you use a cat-friendly toothpaste and toothbrush – the fluoride levels in human toothpastes are too high for cats.

By now, your kittens should be used to using their litterbox. If they are toileting outside of the box, make sure they know where the tray is and that it's accessible. This may mean choosing low sided litter trays that they can easily climb into, as well as placing trays in quiet areas of the house that are easily accessible, where your kitten will be undisturbed. You should always keep the tray clean, otherwise your kitten will be reluctant to use it. Any ‘accidents’ should be picked up and placed inside the litterbox so that the scent is there for the next time they need to use it. Any changes to the type of litter can affect your cat using it, so try to stick to the same brand that they’re used to. It’s also important to make sure you have enough litter trays in various locations in the home – one per cat plus one extra.

By now your kitten’s socialization window has ended, and they should be confident and comfortable being handled and mixing with other animals and people. If you are concerned about your kitten’s reaction to new things and people, speak to your veterinarian for advice – they may refer you to a behavior specialist. Your kitten should not be kept outdoors or mix with unfamiliar cats until they are fully vaccinated, otherwise there is a chance they could pick up a serious infection. You should also make sure they are neutered, microchipped and regularly treated for fleas and worms. When you’re ready to start letting your cat outside, it's best to do so just before mealtimes and then call them back. When they return, reward them with food and playtime. They’ll soon get the hang of it and will return home without you needing to call them. Some cats like to spend a lot of time outside, exploring and hunting, but others prefer to spend most of their time at home. Either way, your cat will be home for mealtimes, giving you the chance to check they are happy and healthy.

Male cats are castrated (the testicles are removed), which is a relatively quick and easy procedure. Neutering will mean that your cat is less likely to get in fights, roam, and mark their territory by spraying. Female cats are spayed (the ovaries and/or uterus are removed), which is a slightly longer and more complicated surgery but there are many benefits. Spaying prevents unwanted pregnancies and stops them from coming into heat every few weeks, which attracts tom cats and can affect behavior. It will also reduce the chance of certain cancers from developing, as well as womb infection (pyometra). Both neutering procedures require a general anesthetic. Your kitten will need to be fasted for their anesthetic and left at the veterinary surgery for most of the day – dropped off in the morning and collected later in the afternoon, when they’ve fully recovered from the anesthetic and the surgery. Follow your veterinarian's instructions, but generally your kitten will need to be kept quiet for the first few days after surgery, including being kept indoors. Speak to your veterinarian about the best time to get your kitten neutered. It is usually done around 4-5 months of age, after the first course of vaccinations. Microchipping can be done during the same visit, if it has not been done already.

From 12 weeks of age, the 2 weekly deworming treatments can usually be reduced to every 3 months. Flea treatments are also recommended, these are often monthly but depend on the product used. Make sure the treatments are designed for cats (not dogs) and are correct for the age and weight of your kitten. Speak to your veterinarian for advice, as veterinary approved products are more effective than some over-the-counter treatments. Your kitten should receive first and second vaccinations, approximately 3-4 weeks apart. These can usually start from 9 weeks of age onwards. At these appointments you can discuss with your veterinarian any health and behavior concerns you have about your kitten. Your kitten will be due booster vaccinations yearly, so make sure you mark it in your diary.