The Hidden Factor That Shapes Your Kitten’s Health for Life
Why your kitten’s first weeks matter more than you think (and how to get it right)
Hey Whisker Crew!
When I first adopted Niko and Milo, I was so focused on the now—the food they were eating, the toys they loved, the chaos of zoomies at 2 a.m. 💤—that I didn’t give much thought to their earliest days.
But after talking to Dr. Amaya Espindola on this week’s podcast, I realized something powerful:
🐾 Your kitten’s earliest experiences—before they ever curl up on your lap—can shape their entire life.
It starts with the mother cat.
Whether a kitten had enough time with their mom… whether they were born into a calm environment… whether they were separated too soon (or too late)…
👉 All of that affects their gut health, behavior, how easily they transition to solid food, and even their stress levels as adults.
Listen to this short audio clip from Dr. Amaya about the hidden factor that shapes your kitten’s health for life. This is a brief snippet of this week’s Golden Whiskers episode.
🍼 What I Learned From Dr. Amaya:
In the first weeks of life, kittens make one of their first big decisions:
✨ Choosing a nipple.
It sounds simple, but this choice kicks off how they handle food, stress, and transitions for the rest of their life.
If the mom cat is calm, well-nourished, and in a relaxed environment, kittens have a strong foundation. But if there’s stress or the kittens are pulled away too early, it can lead to issues later—like anxiety, behavior problems, or food sensitivities.
Here’s where it gets actionable:
If you’re adopting a kitten, ask about their early life.
Were they with their mom long enough?
Did they have a calm, stable environment?
If you’re fostering kittens (or working with a breeder), let the mother cat lead the weaning process. She knows best when it’s time.
And if you’re caring for orphaned kittens? Don’t worry. You can still help them thrive:
Start with colostrum supplements (bovine colostrum works!) to support their immune system and gut health.
Ease into ground food and cooked meals before transitioning to raw, if you choose to go that route.
✅ Dr. Amaya’s Top Kitten Care Tips:
🐾 Let the mother guide the process. Whether it’s nursing or weaning, the mom knows best. Rushing this can create problems later.
🍼 If bottle-feeding or caring for orphans, use colostrum. It helps build immunity and support the gut—critical for long-term health.
🍖 Transition to raw food (or the best diet possible) early on. If the mother is involved, let her show the kittens how to eat prey or raw food.
⏳ Don’t adopt kittens too young—or leave them too long. Either extreme can cause behavior issues. Let the mom decide when it's time.
This blew my mind: Even which nipple they choose matters. It helps set the tone for how they handle life’s transitions—starting with food but affecting everything from stress resilience to confidence.
🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode here:
“Why Your Kitten’s First Weeks Shape Their Entire Life” with Dr. Amaya Espindola
Listen here
🧡 What I’m reflecting on this week:
With Milo and Niko, I adopted them at about 8 months old— I wonder about their earliest days with their mom. Were they stressful? Calm? I’ll never know for sure, but I’m grateful for what I’ve learned from experts like Amaya.
And now?
I’m even more intentional about:
Supporting their gut health (with the best food I can afford).
Spending time playing and connecting (kittens—and adult cats—aren’t as “low maintenance” as people think!).
🐾 This week’s Cattitude Prompt:
What’s one thing you can do to help your cat feel more secure and healthy, knowing what you know now?
Is it tweaking their diet?
Setting aside extra playtime?
Simply reflecting on how far they’ve come since kittenhood?
Let me know in the comments or hit reply—I love hearing your stories.
📣 Huge thanks to Dr. Amaya Espindola for sharing her holistic approach to kitten care. You can follow her work and upcoming projects here:
📸 Instagram: @felvetforcats
📘 Facebook: Felvet For Cats
🎶 Her Discord Community for cat parents—featuring sound therapy, feline lullabies, and support for nurturing happy, healthy cats. Join the community here.
Thanks for being part of the Golden Whiskers family. 💛
Let’s raise healthy, happy cats—starting from day one.
💛 Scott | Golden Whiskers 🐾
What’s one thing you can do to help your cat feel more secure and healthy, knowing what you know now? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please share below.