Bringing home a new kitten is exciting, but it helps to have everything ready before your newest family member arrives. Kittens need more than food and a place to sleep. You’ll also need supplies for litter training, safe transportation, play, grooming, and preventive health care.
So, what are the essential items you need to prepare for a new kitten? At a minimum, you should have kitten food, food and water bowls, a litter box and kitten-safe litter, a secure carrier, a comfortable bed, scratching surfaces, toys, grooming supplies, and basic identification. You should also schedule an initial kitten veterinary appointment soon after bringing your kitten home.
Having these essentials ready can make the transition less stressful for both you and your kitten. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
1. Kitten Food
Kittens have different nutritional needs than adult cats. They require a diet formulated to support rapid growth and development, including appropriate amounts of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.
Choose a food labeled as complete and balanced for kittens or for growth. If possible, find out what your kitten has been eating before coming home. Suddenly switching foods can cause digestive problems, so your veterinarian will recommend making any dietary changes gradually.
Your veterinarian can also help you determine how much and how often to feed based on your kitten’s age, weight, and health.
2. Food and Water Bowls
Your kitten will need separate bowls for food and fresh water. Choose sturdy bowls that are easy to clean. Stainless steel and ceramic are popular options because they are durable and can be washed regularly.
Keep fresh water available throughout the day. Wash both food and water bowls frequently to prevent food residue and bacteria from building up.
3. A Litter Box and Kitten-Safe Litter
Have at least one litter box ready before your kitten comes home. Choose a box with sides low enough for a small kitten to enter comfortably.
Place the litter box somewhere quiet and easy to reach, but keep it away from food and water. If you have a large home or multiple floors, having more than one box can make it easier for your kitten to develop good litter box habits.
The type of litter also matters. Very young kittens may explore new objects with their mouths, so ask your veterinarian which litter is appropriate for your kitten’s age.
4. A Secure Cat Carrier
A carrier is essential from the first day you bring your kitten home. You’ll use it for trips to the veterinarian, travel, and emergencies.
Look for a well-ventilated carrier that securely closes and gives your kitten enough room to stand and turn around. Leaving the carrier open at home with comfortable bedding inside can also help your kitten become familiar with it instead of associating it only with car rides.
5. A Comfortable Bed and Safe Space
A new home can feel overwhelming to a small kitten. Set up a quiet room where your kitten can gradually adjust to unfamiliar people, sounds, and surroundings.
Provide a soft bed or blanket along with easy access to food, water, and a litter box. Your kitten should also have somewhere safe to hide when they want some quiet time.
Before your kitten arrives, check the area for potential hazards such as electrical cords, toxic plants, medications, household chemicals, and small objects that could be swallowed. Remember, kittens love to play and chew on anything they can find, so it’s best to err on the side of caution.
6. Scratching Posts or Pads
Scratching is normal cat behavior. It helps cats stretch, maintain their claws, and leave visual and scent markings.
Giving your kitten appropriate places to scratch from the beginning can encourage good habits and make your furniture less appealing. You should provide both vertical scratching posts and horizontal scratching pads to learn which your kitten prefers.
7. Kitten-Safe Toys
Play provides exercise and mental stimulation while allowing kittens to practice natural behaviors such as stalking and chasing.
A few different types of toys are usually enough to get started. Balls, interactive toys, and wand-style cat toys can all provide opportunities for play. Avoid leaving kittens unattended with toys that contain strings, ribbons, or small pieces that could be swallowed.
You don’t need to buy a bunch of toys at once. Rotating a small selection can keep playtime interesting as you learn what your kitten enjoys.
8. Basic Grooming Supplies
Introducing grooming early can make it easier as your kitten grows. Depending on your kitten’s coat, useful supplies may include a cat brush or comb and cat-specific nail clippers.
Regular brushing can remove loose hair and give you an opportunity to check your kitten’s skin and coat. Getting a kitten comfortable with having their paws, ears, and mouth gently handled can also make future grooming and veterinary exams easier.
9. Collar and Identification
Even indoor cats can accidentally get outside. Identification can improve the chances of being reunited with your pet if this happens.
Talk with your veterinarian about microchipping your kitten for permanent identification. If you use a collar, choose a properly fitted breakaway collar designed for cats and attach an identification tag with current contact information.
Remember to update your kitten’s microchip registration if your phone number or address changes.
10. A Plan for Veterinary Care
One of the most important things to prepare isn’t something you can put in a shopping cart. Your new kitten needs a plan for veterinary care.
Kittens generally require a series of wellness visits as they grow. Depending on their age and medical history, care may include:
- A complete physical examination
- Core vaccinations and appropriate boosters
- Fecal testing and parasite control
- Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention recommendations
- FeLV/FIV testing when appropriate
- Nutrition and behavior guidance
- A plan for spaying or neutering
- Microchipping
Bring any medical or vaccination records you received from the breeder, shelter, rescue, or previous owner to your kitten’s first appointment. Your veterinarian can review these records and determine what your kitten needs next.
What Should I Buy Before Bringing a Kitten Home?
If you’re making a shopping list, start with the essentials rather than filling your home with products your kitten may never use. Before your kitten arrives, make sure you have
- kitten food
- bowls
- litter and a litter box
- a carrier
- bedding
- scratching surfaces
- kitten-safe toys
- grooming supplies
- identification.
You should also kitten-proof your home and decide where your kitten will spend their first few days. Once your kitten settles in, you can add supplies based on their personality and preferences.
Most importantly, arrange veterinary care early. Your first visits are an opportunity to check your kitten’s health, establish a vaccination and parasite prevention schedule, and get answers to the many questions that come with caring for a new pet.
Start Your Kitten Off With the Right Veterinary Care
Supplies can make your kitten comfortable at home, but preventive veterinary care helps build the foundation for long-term health. At Portage Park Animal Hospital, we’ve been caring for Chicago pets and their families for more than 40 years. Our team treats pets and their owners like family and is here to help you navigate everything from your kitten’s first exams and vaccinations to preventive care throughout adulthood.
Bringing home a new kitten or getting ready for their first veterinary visit? Call Portage Park Animal Hospital at (773) 725-0260 to schedule an appointment and get your kitten started on a healthy path.
