New Kitten Checklist: 12 Essentials for Bringing Your Cat Home (+ Vet Tips)
Bringing a new kitten home is like opening a box of sparkly chaos—exciting, heartwarming, and a little overwhelming. Whether you’re a first-time cat parent or a seasoned pro, having a new kitten checklist ensures your tiny explorer feels safe, loved, and ready to conquer their kingdom (aka your living room).
Let’s turn those pre-adoption jitters into confidence with this vet-approved guide to what you need for a new kitten.
- The Essentials: What to Buy for Your New Kitten
- New Kitten Vet Checklist: Don’t Skip These!
- How to Make a Cat Comfortable in a New Home
- Nutrition Know-How
- Building Trust: The First 7 Days
- Final Tip: Patience is Your Best Tool
The Essentials: What to Buy for Your New Kitten
1. Cozy Hideouts
Kittens crave security. Start with a soft bed, a cardboard box with blankets, or a cat cave. Providing them with a safe shelter enhances their sense of security in the environment if there is an older cat in your home. Pro tip: Place it in a quiet corner to help them adjust. You can also prepare warm cat clothes for them to avoid them catching a cold.
2. Food & Water Stations
Opt for shallow stainless steel or ceramic bowls (no whisker fatigue here!). Bumping their whiskers while eating or drinking may stress them out
Include:
• High-protein kitten food (wet + dry)
• A clean water fountain (cats love running water!)
3. Litter Box 101
Choose an open, low-entry box for easy access. Unscented clumping litter works best. The size of the litter box should be chosen according to the size of the cat, if your cat is a large cat, you need to choose a litter box in which they can turn around freely. Place it far from food areas—privacy matters!
The appropriate thickness of cat litter is usually 8-10 centimeters, a thickness that makes it easy for them to bury their poop, and also helps to form a urine ball and cover it thoroughly, masking the odor.
4. Kitten-Proofing Supplies
Hide electrical cords, secure loose curtains, and stash toxic plants (lilies = danger!).
Be especially careful with some of the tiny strings in your home, cats love these types of things and can easily accidentally eat them!
Watch out for fragile items: your cosmetics and kitchenware.
5. Playtime Arsenal
Stock up on feather wands, crinkle balls, and a scratching post. Something that rattles in their daily routine could also be a toy for them. Whatever the toy is, keep it out of their reach when not in use!
Bonus: Interactive toys reduce anxiety during the transition.
Pawsome Upgrade: Check out our stylish kitten sweaters for chilly days—because comfort meets cute!
New Kitten Vet Checklist: Don’t Skip These!
What to do with a new kitten? Schedule a vet visit within the first week to:
• Test for parasites/FIV
• Start vaccinations (core + rabies)
• Discuss spay/neuter timing
• Microchip your furball
Pro Tip: Bring a stool sample to streamline testing.
How to Make a Cat Comfortable in a New Home
1. Start Small
Confine your kitten to one room (with litter, food, toys) for 2-3 days. Gradually expand their territory as they gain confidence.
This process should be filled with patience and could potentially last longer, but don't force them to explore bigger places, such as carrying them into the living room. You have to remember that when they want to explore, you will surprisingly find them in the living room.
2. Scent Swapping
Rub a cloth on their cheeks (where scent glands are) and wipe it on furniture. Familiar smells = instant calm.
3. Quiet Time > Cuddle Time
Let them approach YOU. Avoid forcing interaction—slow blinks and soft voices build trust.
4. Nighttime Routine
Kittens are nocturnal. Leave out toys and a dim nightlight to prevent 3 AM zoomies on your face.
At midnight, don't get up and play when they are looking for you to interact, it will make them think it's playtime.
Nutrition Know-How
• Avoid sudden diet changes: Ask the breeder/shelter what food they use. Please change the food in a gradual manner.
• Hydration is key: Mix wet food with water for picky drinkers.
• Treats = Training Tools: Use them to reward litter box wins!
Building Trust: The First 7 Days
• Day 1-2: Let them hide. Speak softly and offer food by hand.
• Day 3-4: Introduce gentle play with a wand toy.
• Day 5-7: Explore supervised house tours!
Final Tip: Patience is Your Best Tool
Your kitten might hiss, hide, or ignore you—it’s normal! With this new kitten checklist, you’re not just prepping a home; you’re building a lifetime bond.
Ready to spoil your new BFF? Explore our kitten essentials collection for vet-approved products and cozy outfits that’ll make their purr motor roar!
