New Kitten Checklist: Supplies, Safe-Room Setup and First Weeks
A new kitten needs a small, quiet room to settle into, plus the basics for eating, the litter box, scratching, sleeping, play and vet visits. Use this new kitten checklist before day one: set up a safe room with a low-entry litter box, shallow bowls, a washable bed or hideaway and a sturdy scratching post; kitten-proof the rooms your kitten will explore later; and have wand toys, grooming basics and a soft-sided carrier ready. Then book a first visit with your veterinarian and open up your home a little at a time.
Links in this article point to PetAtoZ collections; product details vary by listing.
Hub Shortcut
- Safe room: one quiet room with the litter box, bowls, bed, hideaway and scratcher in place.
- Litter: a low-entry box, unscented litter, a scoop and a litter mat.
- Food and water: the food your kitten already eats, shallow bowls and fresh water every day.
- Scratching and rest: a sturdy scratching post or pad, a washable bed and a covered spot to hide.
- Play: wand toys for play together, plus tunnels and balls for solo play.
- Travel and health: a soft-sided carrier and a veterinary visit in the first few days.
New Kitten Checklist at a Glance
| Area | What to have ready | Quick tip |
|---|---|---|
| Safe room | Litter box, bowls, bed, hideaway, scratcher | Start in one quiet room and open up the home gradually |
| Litter | Low-entry box, unscented litter, scoop, mat | Keep the box away from food and water |
| Food and water | Current food, shallow bowls, fresh water | Ask your veterinarian before switching foods |
| Scratching and rest | Scratching post or pad, washable bed, cat tree | Put a scratcher next to the bed |
| Play and travel | Wand toys, tunnels, balls, soft-sided carrier | Put wand toys and string away after play |
Shop the Checklist by Category
Use these collections to build each part of the setup, and compare sizes and age guidance on each listing.
- Litter Boxes & Litter: open, hooded and stainless steel boxes, enclosures, litter, scoops, mats and odor removers.
- Cat Beds & Trees: round and cave-style beds, cat houses, cat trees, window perches and pet steps.
- Cat Toys: feather and wand toys, tunnels, balls, catnip toys and interactive toys.
- Cat Carriers & Strollers: soft-sided carriers, backpack carriers and pet strollers.
Set Up a Safe Room Before Day One
A whole house is a lot for a small kitten to take in at once. Starting in one quiet room, such as a spare bedroom, helps your kitten learn where the litter box, food and bed are.
- Litter box on one side of the room, food and water on the other.
- A bed and a hiding spot: a cave bed, a cat house or a cardboard box on its side.
- A scratching post or pad next to the bed, since many cats scratch right after waking up.
- Two or three toys to make the room interesting from the start.
A removable, washable cover and a non-slip bottom make any bed easier to live with. Let your kitten come to you instead of pulling them out of hiding, and once they are eating, using the litter box and playing with confidence, open up the rest of the home one room at a time.
Litter Box Basics for Kittens
A kitten's first box needs a low entry that short legs can step over, and an open top makes it easy to find. Add 2 to 3 inches of unscented litter, ideally the same type the shelter or breeder used.
- Location: a quiet corner of the safe room, away from food and water.
- Timing: for the first few days, set your kitten in the box after meals, naps and play.
- Cleaning: scoop at least once a day, and clean up accidents promptly without punishing your kitten.
- Growing up: move to a box about one and a half times your cat's length, with one box per cat plus one extra.
Our litter box setup guide covers sizes, placement, litter types and cleaning in more detail. The CDC advises that pregnant people avoid cleaning the litter box if possible; if no one else can, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands afterward.
Food, Water and Treats
Keep feeding the food your kitten already eats for the first several days, so meals stay familiar while everything else is new. Ask your veterinarian which kitten food, portion size and meal schedule suit your kitten's age, and make any switch gradually.
Shallow, wide ceramic or stainless steel bowls are easy for a small kitten to eat from, and a non-slip base keeps them from sliding. Wash the bowls and refresh the water every day. Small, soft treats work well as rewards during handling and play; keep them to a small share of the daily diet.
Scratching Posts, Cat Trees and Beds
Scratching is normal cat behavior: it keeps claws in shape, stretches the body and leaves a scent mark, so give your kitten a spot they like more than your sofa.
- Vertical posts: look for a heavy base that doesn't wobble and a surface such as sisal rope. Kitten-size posts are often around 20 inches tall, so plan on a taller one as your cat grows.
- Horizontal scratchers: corrugated cardboard pads lie flat on the floor, and some have a ball track attached.
- Cat trees: posts, perches and beds in one. A wide, heavy base keeps a tree steady, and low platforms are easier for small kittens to reach.
Place a scratcher by the bed and near any furniture your kitten targets, and reward them for using it. For naps, many kittens like a round bed with raised edges or a window perch; check that the window screen is secure before adding a perch.
Toys and Play for Kittens
Kittens play in short, intense bursts, and several 10- to 15-minute sessions a day work well for many of them.
- Wand and feather toys: move the toy like prey and let your kitten catch it at the end.
- Tunnels: collapsible tunnels with peepholes and dangling balls make great spots for hiding and pouncing.
- Balls, ball tracks and small plush toys: good for solo play. Not every cat responds to catnip, so don't worry if yours ignores it.
Use toys, not hands, so your kitten learns that people aren't for biting. Put wand toys and anything with string, ribbon or elastic away after each session, since kittens can swallow string. Throw out toys with loose parts or bells coming off, and never shine a laser toy in your kitten's eyes.
Kitten-Proof Your Home
Kittens climb, squeeze into small gaps and chew almost anything, so check each room from floor level before your kitten explores it:
- Cords: tuck electrical cords away and tie up blind and curtain cords.
- Small objects: keep hair ties, rubber bands, thread, needles and yarn in drawers, and holiday tinsel and ribbon out of reach.
- Appliances: keep washer and dryer doors closed and look inside before each load. Check recliners before closing them, and keep toilet lids down.
- Windows: open them only when the screens are secure.
- Plants: lilies, including true lilies and daylilies, are highly toxic to cats, and even pollen or vase water can be dangerous. Check houseplants and bouquets against the ASPCA's toxic plant list.
- Medicines and chemicals: store human medicines, cleaning products, essential oils and liquid potpourri out of reach, and never give your kitten human medicine unless your veterinarian says to.
If you think your kitten ate something toxic, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control service right away. If you see string hanging from your kitten's mouth or bottom, don't pull it; call your veterinarian.
Carrier, ID and the First Vet Visit
Have a carrier ready before pickup day. Soft-sided carriers are light, and mesh windows, a top opening plus a side door, and a removable, washable pad make vet visits easier. Compare the listing's dimensions and weight guidance with your cat's expected adult size.
Keep the zippers closed on every trip and never let a kitten ride loose in the car; some carriers include a strap or sleeve for a seat belt. At home, leave the carrier open with a soft blanket and a few treats inside, so it becomes a familiar spot.
The first vet visit
Book a visit within the first few days and bring any records from the shelter or breeder. Ask about vaccines, parasite control, the right age to spay or neuter, a microchip for identification and how much to feed.
The First Week: Handling, Grooming and Meeting the Family
- Day one: bring your kitten straight to the safe room, open the carrier and let them come out on their own.
- Handling: touch paws, ears and mouth for a few seconds at a time, followed by a treat, so grooming and vet visits feel normal later.
- Grooming: start with a soft brush and nail clippers made for small pets. Trim only the clear tip of each claw, and ask your veterinarian to show you how the first time.
Keep other pets apart at first, swap bedding so they learn each other's scent, then move to short, supervised meetings. Teach children to sit on the floor, let the kitten come to them and wash their hands after play and after touching the litter box.
FAQ
What do I need before bringing a kitten home?
A safe room with a low-entry litter box and unscented litter, shallow bowls, the food your kitten already eats, a washable bed or hideaway, a scratching post and a few toys. Add a carrier for the ride home and book a vet visit for the first few days.
How long should a new kitten stay in one room?
Many kittens are ready to explore after a few days, while shy kittens may need a week or two. Open up the home one room at a time once your kitten is eating, using the litter box and playing with confidence.
What kind of litter box is best for a kitten?
A low-entry, open-top box your kitten can step into easily, with 2 to 3 inches of unscented litter. As your kitten grows, move to a box about one and a half times their length.
When should I take my new kitten to the vet?
Within the first few days. Bring any records from the shelter or breeder, and ask about vaccines, parasite control, spaying or neutering, a microchip and how much to feed.
What toys are safe for kittens?
Wand toys used during supervised play, plus tunnels, balls and sturdy toys without small loose parts. Put string and wand toys away after each session and throw out damaged toys.
Final Note
Bringing a kitten home goes more smoothly when the safe room is ready before day one. Kitten-proof the rest of the home, keep string toys put away and lean on your veterinarian for health questions. Patience, play and plenty of naps do the rest.
Sources and further reading
These resources provide general pet care guidance. They don't replace advice from your veterinarian.
Quick Recap
- Start in one quiet safe room with every essential in place.
- A low-entry, open-top box with 2 to 3 inches of unscented litter, scooped daily.
- Familiar food at first, shallow bowls and fresh water every day.
- A sturdy scratcher by the bed, plus a washable bed and a place to hide.
- Wand toys for play together; string toys put away after every session.
- Kitten-proof cords, small objects, appliances, windows and plants, and keep lilies out of the home.
- A soft-sided carrier, a microchip and a vet visit in the first few days.
Get ready for your kitten’s first weeks.
Browse litter boxes, bowls, scratchers, beds, toys and grooming tools in one place, and check each listing’s size and age guidance before you order.