What Does a Kitten Need? 14 Essentials for Your New Arrival

Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Bringing home a new kitten (or two) is an exciting time! Chances are, this is your kitten’s first time away from their mom and siblings. Plus, they’ll be adjusting to a totally new environment. That can be scary and overwhelming, but there are ways you can make the transition easier.

While you need kitten-friendly food, litter, toys, bedding, and grooming tools, an essential new kitten checklist goes beyond supplies.

To start your kitten off on the right furry foot, we’ve put together new kitten checklists that’ll set your tiny feline friend up for their happiest, healthiest life. That includes:

Items new cat parents need before bringing home a kitten
What new cat parents need to know about vet care and their kitten’s medical needs
What new cat parents need for their kitten’s critical socialization period

Checklist for Bringing Home a Kitten

“Kittens explore the world using all their senses and abilities. Because they are so explorative and so eager to learn about the world, it is important that we set the foundation for them,” explains Amanda Caron, cat behaviorist, IAABC Shelter Behavior Affiliate, and founder of Frisky Feline Behavior Counseling.

Kitten-proofing your home and your kitten’s new environment means

Eliminating or reducing access to unsafe items.
Providing developmentally appropriate alternatives that allow your kitten to engage in their natural instincts.

We asked Stephen Quandt, CFTBS (Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist) and founder of Feline Behavior Associates, how to start. He recommends confining your kitten in a small, private “holding room” for the first few days, potentially longer if they’re nervous.

Once your kitty is ready, you can kitten-proof the rest of the spaces in your home by:

Taping down electric cords or putting them in cord protectors
Closing off areas with tight or small hiding places and “escape holes”
Removing plants and flowers that are toxic to cats
Securing heavy furniture and objects that might fall over
Moving or getting rid of breakable items
Keeping windows and doors latched securely
Keep small, kitten mouth-sized objects like buttons, bottle caps, and craft supplies out of reach
Limiting or preventing access to other animals in the home like birds, hamsters, and fish
Always keeping the toilet seat down to prevent accidental drowning

Once you’re confident the room is safe, you can begin gathering all of your kitten’s essential gear and supplies.

Pet carrier

When you bring your kitten home, you’ll need a kitten carrier to get them there safely. Amber Carter, a veterinarian certified in Feline Practice and founder of CatVetLife, recommends a cat carrier with a removable top to give you easy access for vet visits.

Your kitten’s carrier should be large enough for them to stand up and turn around in—but not so big that it’s difficult for you to carry.

Paige Adams, a veterinarian at the Etowah Veterinary Hospital in Marietta, suggests a carrier with soft sides instead of hard plastic walls. She also suggests giving them treats while they’re inside to help them learn that their carrier is a safe place—not a scary transportation pod to the vet.

Kitten food

Just like adult cats, kittens can eat dry or wet food. However, they’ll need a formula designed for growing kittens. Depending on where they spend their time, they may also need food specifically formulated for indoor or outdoor cats.

Dr. Adams recommends feeding kittens wet or dry food three to four times per day. Once a cat reaches adulthood, one meal per day is typically fine. Feel free to experiment with different brands and flavors to find their favorite combination.

chendongshan via iStock

Kitten feeding and water bowls

Of course, you’ll also need some kitten-sized food and water bowls to serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and any other assorted mealtimes. Dr. Carter suggests keeping multiple bowls on hand so you can easily swap dirty ones out with clean ones every day.

You might also choose to experiment with more specialty options, like slow-feeder bowls for kittens who gobble down food. A water fountain can come in handy for reluctant drinkers or kittens who prefer drinking from the faucet.

Lastly, Quandt suggests placing a cat’s food and water bowls in separate locations since cats don’t always like to drink where they eat.

Cat bedding

Quandt says a cat bed will help your kitten feel cozy and safe in their new environment. A cave bed with covered sides can provide a secure place to hide and help them feel warm and snuggly.

For added coziness, Dr. Carter suggests providing a stuffed animal for your kitten to cuddle with. Just make sure it doesn’t have any loose strings that they might accidentally ingest.

w-ings via iStock

Litter box

Even if you already have a litter box in the house, your new kitten will still need their own to act as a private bathroom.

“The rule of thumb is to have enough litter boxes for each cat in the home, then an extra,” Dr. Adams explains. So, if you’re bringing a pair of kittens into a previously pet-free home, you should have three boxes ready in their holding room.

Dr. Carter suggests choosing a small, uncovered litter box with open sides and a low entry point for their small legs. But be prepared to upgrade to bigger boxes as your kitten grows. “Their adult box should be as long as their nose to the tip of their tail when extended,” she says.

Of course, you’ll also need litter to fill the box. Dr. Carter suggests an unscented clay-based clumping litter. Some cats may have different litter preferences, though, which makes the spare box a good chance to experiment with different types and brands.

Calming environment

To help your new kitten feel safe, Dr. Adams suggests spraying a calming pheromone product, like Feliway, in their kitten room. For extra nervous kittens, a calming collar could provide an extra boost of pheromones.

“As cute as a new kitten is, do not overwhelm them with non-stop attention, especially if they are shy,” Dr. Carter says. When you visit your kitten in their holding room, give them plenty of calm and gentle pets to help them understand that you’re nothing to be afraid of—you’re their new best friend for life.

Vet Checklist for New Kittens

“Make a vet appointment as soon as possible after obtaining your new kitten. Expect a thorough examination and administration of vaccines,” says Dr. Bernadine Cruz, an emeritus veterinarian at Laguna Hills Animal Hospital.

Dr. Cruz says at your kitten’s first vet visit, it’s a good idea to:

Bring documentation from the shelter, foster, or breeder you got the kitten from
Bring a fresh stool sample
Discuss your kitten’s diet and if you have any questions about what you’re feeding them
Talk about other pets in the home and if you have any concerns about their interactions
Inform your vet if you’re keeping your kitten indoor-only (the safest option) or outdoors
Discuss neutering and spaying if your kitten is unfixed and intact when you get them
Share any concerns about your kitten’s behavior, such as if they’re excessively vocal

Your veterinarian may also recommend testing your kitten for FeLV(feline leukemia virus) and FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) even if your kitten looks “normal.”

Here’s what else to expect and keep in mind while scheduling early vet visits and seeking medical care for your new kitten.

Pet insurance

“Medical advances have abounded in veterinary medicine, but they come with a cost. The thought of having to euthanize a pet for a treatable condition because you can’t afford the treatment is heartbreaking,” Dr. Cruz says.

The total cost for vet care and medical treatment varies regionally, but many pet parents can expect to spend between $755-$3,020 on their kittens within the first year.

While we hope our new kitten will stay happy and healthy throughout their lives, unexpected medical issues can crop up for any cat. To avoid facing steep emergency vet bills, a pet insurance plan may come in handy.

“Pet insurance above and beyond any health plan offered by your vet is essential. I recommend using ones that are offered by a third party,” Dr. Cruz says.

Most pet insurance plans offer liability coverage for unexpected medical expenses, like emergency vet visits or surgeries. But some plans also offer add-ons called “wellness plans” that help cover more regular vet visits.

Flea and tick preventatives

If you’re planning on raising an indoor-only kitten, you might think you don’t need any flea, tick, or parasite preventatives. But that’s not necessarily the case.

“Fleas can jump as far as a mile in a day, so if there are fleas outside your home, they can theoretically make it through a screen door, come in on your clothing, or on another pet,” Dr. Cruz warns.

She recommends all cats in the home be kept on flea, heartworm, and intestinal parasite medication and treatments year-round. Preventative parasite, tick, and flea treatments for kittens and cats range from topical gels and creams to oral pills and powders. If your kitten has an existing case of fleas, a flea comb and flea-killing shampoos are classic standbys for good reason!

The age when kittens can start taking preventatives varies from product to product, so carefully follow your vet’s recommendations. And remember: never use dog flea, tick, or parasite preventatives on a kitten, as they can be deadly.

Vaccinations

Veterinarians typically follow the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) guidelines for feline vaccines says Dr. Cruz.

Core vaccines for kittens include:

Rabies
FIV: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
FHV-1: Feline herpes virus
FCV: Feline calicivirus
FPV: Feline panleukopenia
FVR: Feline viral rhinotracheitis

Non-core vaccines for kittens include:

FeLV: Feline leukemia
Chlamydia felis
Bordetella bronchiseptica
FIP: Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Be sure to follow your vet’s instructions for how frequently you need to bring your kitten in for their vaccines, since some of them require multiple doses that are timed over a period of weeks or months.

Microchipping

Microchipping your kitten is a preventative measure for if your kitten ends up far from home. It could be their ticket back to you if they’re not wearing identification, like a collar and ID tag.

Veterinarians, animal shelters, and rescue organizations have scanners that can read if your kitten has a microchip and find the ID number that’s linked to your contact info to get your kitten homeward bound.

Microchip implants are the size of a grain of rice, and Dr. Carter says they’re inserted through the quick prick of a needle injection between the back of your kitten’s shoulders. This process takes mere minutes and isn’t any more uncomfortable than getting a routine vaccine.

Kittens can be microchipped at a regular vet visit once they reach eight weeks old. Prior to microchipping them, Dr. Carter says to be mindful that some states and cities have specific microchip requirements and to check your local laws.

Socialization Checklist for New Kittens

“Socialization is how we help kittens to learn about the world around them, especially things they have never seen or interacted with before,” Caron says. “It’s important for kittens to have this exposure because as they grow older they may become avoidant, making things such as interacting with people an unfamiliar and even scary experience.”

Socialization teaches kittens how to appropriately interact with cats, humans, and other animals. It helps them become resilient, friendly, and adaptable to change and the unfamiliar. It’s a crucial step in a kitten’s development, with the most critical period for socialization occurring while your kitten is between two to seven weeks old, and usually still with their mother and siblings.

By the time you’ve welcomed your new kitten into your home, that critical period is usually over. But it doesn’t mean it’s any less critical to make sure you’re doing everything you can to continue the socialization process. Think of it this way: Kitten socialization isn’t a one-and-done destination. It’s an ongoing journey to becoming a stable, healthy, and happy cat.

It’s never too late to socialize a kitten. Here are some recommendations for kitten socialization.

Treats

If you’ve got a snack-obsessed and food-motivated kitten on your hands, kitten treats can be a fun and useful tool to get your kitten used to new experiences. When used as positive reinforcement, treats can reduce fear around things like getting a bath, going into their cat carrier, and nail trimming. All those are essential activities that will extend to your kitten’s adult and senior years.

Getting your kitten familiar with these high-stress activities while they’re they’re extra curious about the world and in a learning period will help them have less anxiety towards them as they age.

Treats come in all different types and flavors. Just be sure to keep in mind that treats are extra calories in your kitten’s diet, so use them in moderation to be sure your kitten maintains a healthy weight.

dentharg via iStock

Toys

Kitten toys are more than just a fun way to play with your new pet. As with human babies, play is one of the ways kittens learn. Playing with your kitten can provide stimulation, entertainment, and opportunities to act out on their instinctive behaviors like pouncing, stalking, and jumping.

“Kittens are more likely than older cats to like solo play toys,” Joey Lusvardi, CCBC, a certified cat behavior consultant and founder of Class Act Cats, “but they’re not as great to build a bond with them as more interactive toys.”

Lusvardi says wand toys in particular are a way for you to engage with your kitten as an active participant and let them safely act on their hunting behaviors.

Other kitten-friendly toys include:

Note that wand toys and other toys with feathers, loose strings, or small parts should only be used under supervision. Your kitten could accidentally choke on or ingest them if you’re not around to stop them.

w-ings via iStock

Scratching posts

Scratching is a normal, instinctive behavior in cats. Even if you regularly trim your kitten’s nails, they’re still going to pop their claws and get their shred on. Kittens and cats are driven to scratch because it releases endorphins and gives them an instant mood boost. It also helps them maintain their nail health and exercises their muscles. Plus, because they have scent glands on their paws, scratching marks their territory.

Scratching does a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to helping your kitten feel happy, safe, and secure. Trying to prevent them from scratching—or worse, punishing them for it—can be detrimental to their mental and physical health.

When it comes to destructive scratching, focus your efforts on redirection. Give your kitten cat-safe alternatives to scratch by placing a variety of different scratching posts in the rooms they have access to.

For kittens who prefer horizontal scratching, get several different sizes and shapes of corrugated cardboard scratching pads.

For vertically scratching kittens, go for a post. Give your kitten many textures to choose from by offering them scratching posts that are carpeted, covered with sisal rope fiber, or made of soft wood.

“Don’t get a small kitten-sized scratching post, as they will outgrow it in short order,” Quandt recommends. He advises new kitten parents to opt for a study, full-sized posts and scratching pads that your kitten can enjoy in their adult years.

Grooming tools

Cats are famous for how fastidiously they tend to their fur. They’re great at grooming themselves. But that doesn’t mean that you should take an entirely hands-off approach when it comes to feline hair care. It’s a good idea to have cat grooming tools like combs and brushes.

A slicker brush can prevent tangles and mats in long-haired kittens. Grooming gloves are a low-stress option that effectively brush out shed-heavy cats with pets. Aim to brush long-haired kittens every three to four days and short-haired cats once per week.

Shampoos and kitten-safe wipes can help you intervene if your kitten has any accidents, like a messy paw if they accidentally step in their own poop or pee. (It happens!)

Dr. Adams says another one of the most important grooming tools for a kitten is nail trimmers. She recommends clipping their nails every other week.

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Dental hygiene isn’t just a human concern. Your kitten’s teeth and gums also need regular cleaning and care.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends yearly dental exams at the vet. Kittens and cats aren’t as likely to develop cavities or need a rite-of-passage wisdom teeth extraction as their human caregivers, but they’re at risk for plenty of other teeth and mouth issues.

Annual dental checkups can catch things like:

Broken teeth
Abscesses or infections
Inflamed gums
Cysts or tumors
Periodontal disease

Beyond professional dental care, the AVMA recommends cat caregivers brush their kitten’s or cat’s teeth at least two times per week. While your kitten is young, this is the perfect time to get them used to those dental cleanings with a cat-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste.

Start by using your finger or a dry toothbrush to get them used to the brushing process. Then introduce the toothpaste. It’s also a good idea to have some teeth-cleaning dental treats on hand for extra pearly whites.

Kitten collars and harnesses

Breakaway collars with an ID tag detailing your contact information are the first line of defense for your kitten in case you’re separated. Dr. Cruz recommends all kittens and cats wear collars with ID tags—even indoor cats.

Breakaway collars will easily snap off if your kitten gets snagged on something. Their quick-release mechanism prevents choking or strangling.

For a proper fit, you should be able to slip two to three fingers under the collar at all times. Kittens grow rapidly, so choose an adjustable option and check it every week until they reach their adult size.

If you’ve ever dreamed of having an adventure cat and your kitten is showing curiosity to explore the outdoors, consider leash and harness training them while they’re a kitten. Be sure you don’t rush the harness training process, and always watch your kitten’s body language for stress, anxiety, or discomfort.

Cat and kitten harnesses and leashes come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from padded vests, to figure-8s, to the classic H-style. It’s a good idea to experiment to find out what your kitten is most comfortable with.

If you plan on venturing outdoors and traveling frequently with your cat, you may also want to invest in a GPS collar in case you ever get accidentally separated.

Kitten playpens

Pet playpens aren’t just for rambunctious puppies. Kittens can also benefit from a pet playpen, also known as an exercise pen or kitten enclosure.

Kittens’ energy levels are often off the charts, and their default mode is to play. Incorporating kitten playpens into your home allows your kitten more opportunities to do that without you needing to worry about them.

When choosing a kitten enclosure, make sure you take the size into consideration. It should be spacious enough for your kitten to romp around in, especially as they grow. Next, decide what materials appeal most to you and the situation you’ll be using the kitten playpen in.

Some kitten enclosures are made out of mesh and are geared towards outdoor usage. They’re well known for their easiness to set up and move around. They’re also often collapsable so you can store them when they’re not in use.

Heavier wooden or metal models are ideal for consistent use if you’re planning on keeping them in one specific location. Make sure the sides are high enough and that there aren’t gaps or crevices where little paws might get stuck.

We hope these new kitten checklists and tips will help make your kitten’s transition into their new home safe, smooth, and enjoyable for both of you. Here’s to a long and happy life together with your new feline family member!

A New Kitten Checklist for Home, the Vet, and Socialization