Kitten essentials: Everything you need for your new feline friend

Bringing a new kitten into your home and life can be an exciting and heart-warming time. Whether you’re a new kitten owner or thinking of adopting one, you’re in for a life-changing experience. Besides plenty of cuddles, your kitten will also need care and patience. There’s a lot of preparation that goes into owning a kitten and it can be stressful at first. 

That’s exactly why we’ve created a new kitten checklist. We cover all the kitten essentials from the right food and safe toys to essential health advice and a comfortable home set-up. In this organised guide, we make the transition of a new kitten into your life as smooth and stress-free as possible, for both kittens and owners. If you’re wondering what you need for a kitten, rest assured with our advice you can learn how to make your new kitten feel right at home.

What do I need for a kitten? The ultimate checklist

At first sight, the list of kitten essentials can feel overwhelming. Since there’s a lot to think about, it’s common to feel unsure on where to start. Preparation is key, so once you’ve made the decision of adopting or bringing a kitten home, you can start getting everything ready and in place before they arrive. This can help build a calm and safe environment to welcome them in. 

Here is a simple and complete new kitten checklist to help both you and your kitten feel comfortable from the first day. 

Kitten food and water bowls

We talk about kitten food later, but one of the things you’ll need for a kitten is the right type of bowls. You’ll need to make sure the bowls are shallow enough for your kitten to access easily. It’s also better to choose ceramic or stainless steel bowls rather than plastic, as this reduces bacteria build-up and is less likely to tip over.

It’s recommended to have separate bowls for food and water, as kittens prefer to eat and drink separately. You may even consider a pet water fountain as cats like to drink running water. Most importantly, you should place your kitten’s bowls in a private and quiet spot to help your kitten feel safe. Stay consistent with the location of the bowls, and make sure to clean them out daily. 

A cosy bed

A crucial part of kitten care is to make them feel comfortable when you bring them home, and a cosy bed can help achieve this. It can be as simple as a cardboard box with high sides to prevent draughts and a doorway for access. Line it with blankets or cushions to make it comfortable. This way, you can wait and see where your kitten prefers to sleep.

If you want to go ahead and buy a bed, find a soft one with low sides to make it easier for your kitten to get in and out. It’s also helpful if it’s washable so you can clean it when necessary. Add warm blankets or a comfort item, like a piece of your clothing or a soft toy, to help them feel at ease. The bed should be in a quiet corner that is both draught-free and away from foot traffic for your kitten to retreat to when they need space or sleep. For colder months, you could also use a heated bed.

Litter tray and litter

Of course, a litter tray is another kitten essential, along with a scoop strainer. This will need to be low enough for your kitten to climb in and out of, which is why it’s better if it’s an open and shallow tray, without a lid. Make sure to place the litter tray in an easily accessible but quiet and low-traffic area in your home, so your kitten feels secure while using it. 

In terms of litter, it’s best to use a type that is low-dust and unscented to avoid putting your kitten off with their sensitive noses. It’s important to keep the litter tray clean by scooping all urine and faeces waste daily, changing the litter regularly and washing once a week. Kittens won’t use a dirty litter box, so this also helps with training and avoiding accidents in the house.

Scratching post

Scratching is a natural feline behaviour and it's important to encourage this instinct with a scratching post - a kitten essential. Not only does it help keep your kitten’s claws healthy by removing the outer layer, but it also allows them to mark their scent in your home. Cats also use scratching posts for their stretching habits, which is why it’s handy to keep it near your kitten’s bed for pre and post-nap stretching.

Training your kitten to use a scratching post will help to protect your furniture as it provides an appropriate outlet and deters damage. However, individual kittens may have different preferences for the type of scratching post. You can find what material and style your kitten likes by trying a few options, such as a sturdy vertical post with sisal rope or a horizontal cardboard scratcher. 

Safe toys

Another thing you’ll need for a kitten is toys. Toys help promote their physical and mental stimulation in your kitten, as well as preventing them from playing with your hands and feet. Playtime will help keep your kitten active, release excess energy and build coordination. It is also an excellent bonding opportunity for both of you.

However, it’s important that the toys are safe, especially for kittens who are naturally curious. Teaser wands, ping pong balls and puzzle feeders are all great choices. However, you should avoid string, tinsel, rubber bands and other toys with small or sharp parts that could be swallowed. Make sure to play with your kitten daily so they’re getting enough exercise and enrichment - an important part of kitten care.

Carrier

Of course, to bring your kitten home, you’ll need an appropriately-sized and well-ventilated carrier for safe and secure travel, as well as future trips to the vet. It’s important to make your kitten feel comfortable, so lining with a soft blanket or towel can help to reduce stress while traveling. 

It’s also beneficial to have a carrier that opens from the top to make it easier to handle and place your kitten inside. Plastic carriers are popular choices since they’re sturdy and easy-to-clean. Try and get your kitten used to the carrier early on by just having it around the home so they can explore at their own pace.

Grooming tools

As part of your new kitten checklist, you’ll need some grooming tools to help maintain their hygiene. A soft brush for grooming helps to remove loose hair and keep your cat’s skin and coat healthy. Nail clippers are also important to prevent your kitten’s claws from getting too long. 

You can also purchase pet-safe wipes to clean your kitten’s paws or fur if it gets dirty. Grooming your kitten is not only a way to keep them fresh, but it’s also a great way to monitor their health and check for fleas or other skin issues. In addition to that, it makes for excellent quality time and can build trust between you.

Adopting a kitten: What to know first

Owning a kitten can be a joyful experience, especially if you’re adopting from shelters and rescues. There are many in need of loving homes and it can be truly rewarding to provide these kittens with care. 

However, there are many responsibilities that come with kitten ownership as well, including time and money, especially long-term. Your kitten will need veterinary visits, enrichment from cat furniture and toys, as well as grooming tools, all of which are ongoing efforts.

If you’re comfortable with the commitment, there are many ways to support the smooth transition of getting a kitten. It’s important to have plenty of patience with your new feline friend, especially in the first few weeks. In this article, we help answer common questions like ‘what do I need for a kitten?’ to make your experience easier.

Setting up your home for a kitten

Another thing you’ll need to consider, besides getting the essentials from our new kitten checklist, is actually preparing your home before your kitten arrives. Kittens are very curious creatures and will begin exploring as soon as they’re comfortable. 

However, it’s important to supervise your kitten during the first few weeks as they adjust to their new environment. Here’s a kitten-proofing checklist on how to set up your home:

• Secure loose cords and wires around the house to prevent your kitten from chewing or becoming entangled in them,
• Remove plants that are toxic to cats, such as lilies, to avoid your kitten ingesting any parts of it.
• Keep small objects out of reach, including buttons, rubber bands, stones, or other parts that could get dislodged if swallowed.
• Create dedicated areas for your kitten to eat, sleep and use the litter tray, where your kitten has privacy.
• Provide your kitten with secure hiding spots so they have a calming space to retreat to when overwhelmed.
• Consider using baby gates or closing off rooms when you first bring your kitten home, so they can explore smaller areas first.
• Use soft bedding and dim lighting for your kitten’s sleeping area, and provide hiding spots for your kitten to retreat to.

You can encourage your kitten to explore their surroundings by providing interactive feeders and scratching posts in accessible areas. This way, they can satisfy their natural instincts, engage in physical exercise and feel mentally stimulated. 

Kitten feeding essentials

In the first year of their life, and particularly those first few weeks, kittens are growing at a very fast rate. It’s an important part of kitten care to feed them frequent meals that are high in protein and fat to support their rapid development and high energy levels. Below we discuss some kitten feeding essentials.

For very young kittens, they should have their mother’s milk or formula until they’re 4 weeks old. But you can begin to introduce 3-4 small meals a day as part of a gradual transition. As they get older, you can adjust their feeding schedule to larger meals served less frequently. Check out our advice on how often to feed a kitten.

A consistent routine to mealtimes will not only encourage healthy eating habits but help your kitten feel secure. Keep your kitten’s food and water bowl in a quiet area and avoid moving them around. You should clean the bowls daily and make sure there is fresh water available at all times to support hydration.

For a nutritionally balanced diet, WHISKAS® kitten food products provide complete and balanced nutrition and are specially formulated with all of the nutrients your kitten needs in just the right amounts for young cats to thrive. If you’re introducing a new food, just make sure to look out for any signs of intolerance, including changes in appetite, diarrhoea and vomiting. Here are some other tips for feeding kittens.

Health & hygiene for kittens

One of the key tasks on your new kitten checklist is finding a veterinarian. It’s very important to take your kitten for a vet check within the first week of their arrival. Your vet can create a cat vaccination schedule to protect against diseases, as well as provide preventative treatments for fleas, ticks and worms. You should also keep a record of vaccines and treatments your kitten has had. 

Kittens are particularly vulnerable, so any health issues such as diarrhoea, vomiting and lethargy can be concerning as it can quickly become more serious. Make sure to monitor your kitten closely and learn more on how to check your kitten’s health. Always seek veterinary help if you’re worried or unsure.

As part of your responsibility for kitten care, you will also need to introduce a basic grooming routine, including nail clipping, cleaning their ears and eyes, and of course brushing their fur. You should only use grooming tools that are kitten-safe while being gentle and patient to help build trust between you and your kitten.

Training basics for your kitten

Once your kitten is home, it is responsible pet ownership to begin some basic training with them. This helps set the foundation for a cat with healthy behaviours which will start your relationship off positively. 

If your kitten has not been litter trained, or even if they have, you’ll need to help familiarise them with their new setting. First, make sure that you place their litter tray in a calm, private and quiet location that is not busy with foot traffic. It needs to be an appropriate size for your kitten and with the lid removed so it’s easier for them to get in and out.

You should also use dust-free and unscented litter that is scooped daily and changed and washed clean regularly, otherwise your kitten may find it off-putting to use if it’s dirty or pungent. Introduce your kitten to the litter tray as soon as you bring them home by placing them in it. Keep your kitten contained within a smaller area with easy access to their litter tray for the first few days. For further tips on litter training your kitten, read how to litter train a kitten. 

There are other behaviours that kittens may engage in that will need training. For instance, if your kitten is biting or scratching, you’ll need to gently correct the behaviour. You could use redirection to distract them from the behaviour by introducing a toy or scratching post as an outlet instead. In fact, having multiple scratching posts around the home can help. Use positive reinforcement by offering treats and praise to reward desired behaviours, such as when they use the post correctly. 

You should never use punishment to deter negative behaviours as this can affect the trust bond between you and your kitten. Keeping a consistent routine can also encourage good habits and help them learn faster. As long as you establish boundaries from the start, your kitten can develop into a confident and well-behaved adult cat.

Socialising and playing with your kitten

It’s crucial that kittens experience early socialisation as this helps shape their behaviours moving forward. For your kitten to become more confident, you should gradually introduce them to household sounds, new people and other pets. You’ll need to keep the process slow and have plenty of patience along the way. This will help your kitten to explore at their own pace until they feel comfortable and secure in their environment, without feeling stressed. It’s also a great way for them to build positive associations and confidence.

Playing with your kitten will also deepen your relationship, and you can find out more on how often you should let your cat play. There are plenty of safe play ideas, including interactive toys, climbing furniture and teaser wands. Incorporating playtime into your kitten’s daily schedule will make sure they’re receiving plenty of physical and mental stimulation. By preventing boredom, you can reduce the chance of destructive behaviours and provide stimulating kitten care, while also nurturing trust and building your bond together.

Kitten essentials recap: Ready for a purr-fect start

While it’s an exciting and rewarding experience to bring home a new kitten, it makes a true difference to be well-prepared beforehand. You’ll need all the kitten essentials, including food, litter and toys, as well as planning ahead with the home set-up and health checks. 

Our new kitten checklist will provide a great start to your life with your feline friend, and provide you both with confidence. With love, patience and all the kitten essentials, you can raise a happy and healthy cat. It may also help to save or print the checklist as a handy reference as you plan ahead. 

Kitten essentials - FAQs

What to buy for an 8 week old kitten?

For an 8-week-old kitten, you should buy kitten food, shallow food and water bowls, a cosy bed and a litter tray with unscented litter. You should also have a scratching post, safe toys, a kitten carrier and grooming tools. This will help prepare you to bring your kitten home.

What is the 3 3 3 rule for kittens?

The 3 3 3 rule can help you understand what kittens need as they adjust to a new environment. Typically, kittens will need 3 days to settle, 3 weeks to adapt to routines and 3 months to feel comfortable enough. It’s important to be patient and consistent during this time.

When should I let my kitten roam the house? 

You should let your kitten roam the house after they’ve adjusted to a small and safe room for a few days. You can then introduce them to other areas while supervising them closely. It’s important to make sure your home is set up appropriately for a small kitten.