New Kitten Checklist: What to Do and Buy in Kitty's First Month

Welcoming a new feline fur-baby to your family is an exciting experience. That said, first-time pet parents might be surprised to learn just how stressful caring for a kitten can be. Getting a new kitten but unsure what to do or what to buy? We've got you covered with the ultimate new kitten checklist!

Preparing your home for a new kitten isn't difficult as long as you consider all angles. The first few days and weeks with your new feline friend could cause you to worry, but it'll be fun and exciting as long as you take the time to ensure your new kitten is comfortable. Here's what to do when preparing for a new kitten.

Make a budget.

Before doing anything else, make a budget for your kitten. Research the cost of vet care, insurance, supplies, etc., to confirm that caring for a kitten won't be a financial burden. If you can't afford everything your new kitten needs, it might be a good idea to reconsider your decision to adopt a kitten.

Remove or secure anything toxic to cats.

Put any chemicals or medications out of paw's reach and in cabinets with childproof latches. Kittens love to explore and could easily get into your laundry room or medicine cabinet. You should also research which household plants are harmful to cats. Many common plants, such as lilies, are highly toxic to cats.

Tidy loose wires and harmful items.

Teething kittens love to chew on anything they can find. Secure all cables, wires, and window blind cords to prevent accidents. Sweep and vacuum your home thoroughly to remove any small objects your kitten could choke on.

Discuss cat house rules.

Talk to your family and other members of your household about cat rules, like where your cat can (and can't) go, whether they'll be allowed outside, and whether you'll give them any human food as treats. Ensuring everyone is on the same page will keep both two- and four-legged members of your family safe and happy.

Research kitten foods.

A balanced, high-quality diet is crucial for your kitty's wellbeing. Research the best wet food for cats (and dry food if your kitten has transitioned to it). Look for a quality source of meat as the first ingredient when reading a cat food label.

Look up local vets.

Find a highly rated vet that's as close to your home as possible. Finding an excellent vet close by will help you prepare for any emergency. Read online reviews and talk to fellow pet parents in your area to find the right vet for you.

Your kitten's first day in their new home might be a whirlwind of excitement for you, but kittens take time to adjust. Here are some tips for making sure your kitty's first night goes without a hitch!

Bring them home with familiar bedding.

Cats are very sensitive to changes in smell. Try to bring your kitten home with a blanket or some bedding from the shelter or their breeder's home. Doing so will help them adjust to their new surroundings in the first 48 hours.

Be consistent with your kitten's food.

If possible, find out what food the shelter or breeder was feeding your kitten. Like dogs, cats thrive off routine and adjust better if you give them the same food they've been eating.

Give your kitten a quiet space to adjust.

Put your new kitten in a quiet room away from lots of foot traffic. A quiet space will help prevent your kitten from getting overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, or even hurt.

Don't crowd your kitten.

While it might be tempting for everyone in your household to come to see the latest addition to the family, you should take it slow. Let your kitten adjust to their surroundings before they have lots of visitors.

Handle your kitten for short periods.

Handling your kitten by picking them up and touching their paws is essential to ensure good behavior. However, you'll want to keep sessions short at first. Let your kitten come to you to be picked up. Holding your kitten for too long may also cause them to be fearful or stressed.

Let your kitten sleep.

Don't be alarmed if your kitten is sleeping lots. Kittens need lots of sleep to aid growth — as much as 22 hours a day.

Find a quiet, accessible corner for their litter box.

Kittens usually learn their litter habits from their mother and don't require much litter training. Place their litter tray in an isolated spot that's easy for your kitten to locate, away from their food and water.

Establish a routine.

As mentioned, kittens thrive on routine, and their first month should be well regimented to avoid stress. Try to feed your kitten at the same time each day, provide the same food, and use the same litter. Keeping your kitten with you at night will help them learn your sleeping pattern and (hopefully) prevent late-night zoomies.

Feed your kitten several small meals.

Adult cats usually get fed 2 times a day; however, kittens are a bit different. Kittens aged 8 to 12 weeks require 4 meals a day to prevent upset stomach.

Take your kitten for a vet check-up.

You should take your new kitten for a physical exam within the first few days of adoption. If you have other cats, have a vet examine your kitten before bringing them home. Kittens can carry diseases that may not be immediately obvious, which could harm your other cats.

Book vaccination appointments.

Your kitten should get their first vaccinations at around the age of 8 weeks old. This includes the FVRCP vaccination, a core vaccine that protects against calicivirus, panleukopenia, and rhinotracheitis.

There's also a non-core vaccine for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FVRCP, FeLV, FIV boosters, and the rabies vaccine will be administered over the following 8–12 weeks. Talk to your vet about your kitten's vaccine and their flea, tick, and heartworm prevention schedule.

Secure pet insurance.

Pet insurance is essential as it can help cover vet costs associated with injuries and illness. Many pet insurance companies cover kittens that are 8 weeks of age or older. Many insurers also offer wellness add-ons to help cover the costs of everything from annual boosters to physical exams.

Keen to learn more about pet insurance? Check out our guide to the best pet insurance providers for kittens. Or, for a personalized quote, use Wag!'s pet insurance comparison tool to find the "purrfect" plan!

Consider cat training.

While training a cat isn't a walk in the park, there are certain commands you can teach a cat that will make living with your new fur-baby a little easier. For example, you can train your cat to walk on a leash or even use a toilet. Cats are more susceptible to training during kittenhood, so start training early.

Research feline body language.

Being able to read your cat's body language will help you get along with your new feline friend. Understanding what the flick of a tail or a blink of an eye means will help you know if your cat is feeling friendly, stressed, playful, etc.

Knowing what to buy for your new kitten will help ensure you're fully prepared to welcome your new fur-baby to the family. No new pet parent wants to keep running to the pet store to pick up supplies they forgot. 

When picking out supplies for your kitten, consider your budget. You may also want to pick out eco-friendly items, such as recycled toys and cat food from a sustainable source. So, what supplies does a new kitten need? Here's a handy checklist!

• Litter box
• Litter
  
• Food and water bowls
• Lots of toys
• High-quality kitten food
• Grooming brush
• Toothbrush and cat-safe toothpaste
  
• Scratching post
• Cat carrier
• Cat tree
• Cat bed
• Collar
  
• Harness
• ID tag
  

Now that you know how to prepare for your new kitten and what to buy, ask yourself, is there anything you're forgetting? While these considerations aren't necessarily ways you can prepare for a new kitten, they are important nonetheless. 

Is my kitten old enough for adoption?

Cats that aren't old enough to be adopted are more likely to have health and behavioral problems. Ideally, your kitten should be between 8 and 13 weeks old. This ensures your kitten is fully developed and properly weaned.

A kitten that hasn't had enough time with their mother may play too rough, not know how to groom themselves properly, or have trouble burying their litter.

How do I know if a cat toy is dangerous?

Kittens are inquisitive and will play with everything and anything. While this behavior is endearing, it can be dangerous. It might be tempting to give your kitten something random to play with, but check it's safe first. Many items you might think are safe for kittens could cause harm. 

For example, a spool of thread could get wrapped around your kitten, getting them in a tangle. Cellophane could cause suffocation. Rubber bands and wire twist ties are a choking hazard and could get stuck in your kitten's digestive system. 

Should I worry about whisker stress?

Whisker stress, also known as whisker fatigue, refers to the theory that cats can become over-stimulated by their whiskers touching the rim of their food bowl. 

While there's no concrete evidence confirming whether whisker stress is an actual medical condition, it may be worth switching your kitten to a shallow bowl if they seem stressed while trying to eat. 

A 2021 study showed that, while whisker-friendly dishes don't affect the amount or frequency a cat eats, some cats seem to prefer eating out of shallow bowls that don't make as much contact with their whiskers.

Now that you know how to make your new kitten feel welcome and comfortable, all that's left to do is start preparing. Don't "furget" to save this post so you can easily access it as your kitten grows!