Bringing home a new kitten (or two) is an exciting time! You’re adding a new family member to stay with you for the rest of their lives. Just like bringing home a new baby, kittens need essential supplies on hand to help them settle in. While you may not need diapers and bottles, you will need kitten-friendly food, litter, toys, bedding, grooming tools, and even more essentials.
Chances are, this may be 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 a few ways you can make the transition easier.
Stephen Quandt, a certified feline training and behavior specialist, recommends confining your kitten in a small, private “holding room” for the first few days, potentially longer if they’re nervous. You can make the room safe and kitten-proof by:
- Removing or taping down electric cords
- Covering any potential “escape holes.”
- Removing or securing breakable items, like potted plants
- Keeping windows and doors latched securely
Once you’re confident the room is safe, you can begin gathering all of your kitten’s essentials, which can include the following items.
Pet Carrier
First things first: 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.
Additionally, your kitten’s carrier should be large enough for them to stand up and turn around 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.
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.
Food/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 could also 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.
Treats
Quandt says kitten treats are a fun, useful tool. You can use them as positive reinforcement to get them used to new activities, like nail clipping, making them a valuable training tool.
Luckily, if your kitty is a bit picky, treats come in all different types and flavors. Additionally, softer chews might be easier on your cat’s teeth than the crunchy kind. Lastly, wet food can also serve as a good reinforcer!
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.
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.
Grooming Tools
Cats do a pretty good job of grooming themselves, but it’s still a good idea to have grooming tools and supplies on hand to help them stay healthy and fabulous.
“The most important grooming tool for a kitten is nail trimmers,” Dr. Adams explains. Cats sharpen their nails quickly, especially when they’re young, so Dr. Adams recommends clipping their nails every other week.
It’s also a good idea to have a slicker brush on hand to prevent tangles and mats, especially for long-haired kittens. It’s best to brush long-haired cats every three to four days and short-haired cats once per week.
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Don’t forget dental hygiene, too! While your kitten is young, this is the perfect time to get them used to dental cleanings with a cat-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste.
You can start by using your finger or a dry toothbrush to get them used to the brushing process before introducing the toothpaste. It’s also a good idea to have some teeth-cleaning dental treats on hand for extra pearly whites.
Scratching Posts
Even if you regularly trim their nails, claw sharpening keeps your cat’s nails healthy and gives them a way to mark their territory. This can help them feel more safe and secure. To keep your couch legs from acting as your cat’s personal nail file, buy a scratching post.
“Don’t get a small kitten-sized scratching post, as they will outgrow it in short order,” Quandt says. Instead, he recommends pet parents opt for a study, full-sized post that will last through their adult years. Scratching posts come in a variety of materials, like cardboard or carpet, but Quandt suggests a sisal-wrapped scratching post for durability.
Kitten Collars
Even indoor cats need a collar with an ID tag to help them return home if they ever escape or get lost. Plus, it can make them look snazzy!
The American Humane Society recommends breakaway collars, which can easily snap off and prevent strangling if your kitten gets snagged on something. 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 your kitten will venture outdoors, you may also want to invest in a harness and leash for supervised walks or a GPS collar to keep tabs on a free-roaming cat.
Microchip
As an extra layer of insurance, microchipping your kitten could give them a ticket home even if their collar pops off. A vet or volunteer shelter can scan the chip to find their unique ID number that’s linked to your contact info and help your kitten get homeward bound.
Kittens can be microchipped at a regular vet visit once they reach eight weeks old.
Toys
Kitten toys are more than just a fun way to play with your new pet. They can provide much-needed stimulation and help your kitten stay busy and entertained. With so many options to choose from, you can go a little crazy if you want to.
Dr. Adams suggests toys with treats, like snuffle mats or puzzles, that force kittens to work for their food, while Dr. Carter recommends interactive toys, such as crinkle balls or fabric tunnels. They caution that toys with loose strings, like wands, should only be used under close supervision: Your kitten could accidentally ingest them if you’re not around to stop them.
Pet Insurance
The total cost can vary, but many pet parents spend between $755-$3,020 on their kittens within the first year. Additionally, while we certainly hope your kitten will stay happy and healthy throughout their lives, unexpected medical issues can crop up for any cat. To help avoid facing steep vet bills and alleviate some general costs, a pet insurance plan could come in handy.
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 cover more regular vet visits.
Calming Environment
As a final finishing touch 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 newest best friend for life.
We hope these 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 feline family member.