New Kitten Checklist: Everything You Need

Trying to figure out everything you need for your new kitten can be quite daunting, some things might be needed right off the bat while others can be bought along the way. That’s why we’ve collected a kitten essentials list, so you know exactly what you need from the get-go and there’s no need to worry about things you don’t need right away.

When thinking about what to buy for a new kitten to make them feel comfortable and at home as quickly as possible, their basic needs are where you will need to look first. Think food, water, shelter and toileting, the basic needs for survival and then build out from there based on more secondary needs like play and grooming to make sure they are well cared for.

A pet carrier is one of the first things you’ll need when you’re thinking about getting your kitten home safely - they’re the safest way to transporting them to their forever home. Being in a new environment is nerve-wracking at the best of times, so you may find they are a little shy in the first few hours.

Once you’ve both arrived home, settle their carrier in a quiet place in your home with their carrier door open – letting them explore at their own pace and in their own time!

Finding out an estimated size and weight before you pick your new kitten up can help you pick the right carrier. It should be well-ventilated and roomy enough to move around in a little. To get them comfortable during the journey, asking if you can take a little towel or blanket that already has their or mother’s scent on to put at the bottom of the carrier can help settle them.

You might get told exactly what kitten food they’re being fed in their previous home, in which case sticking to the same brand initially, can help them settle and not upset their stomach, with too much change. Preference testing your new addition is an important aspect of finding the perfect food for them, they could prefer dry or wet or even a mixture of both.

If you’re looking to test out a few different foods, experiment with their taste buds with a handful of our top kitten foods:

Don’t forget to make sure you have food and water bowls ready for when you bring your new addition home. Fresh water should be available at all times for your kitten and they may need a drink after the drive home so you should already have these ready.  Particularly if the drive home is fairly long.

Having a clean litter is a vital part of litter training your new kitten, a clean litter box will encourage them to toilet in there. There are lots of different styles of litter boxes and litter types, so finding one that suits both you and your kitten is sometimes down to trial and error.

Your kitten might find an open litter box easier while you might want something with a lid to keep smells at bay – the Savic Nestor Corner Lit Tray is the perfect option, allowing it to easily fit in the corner and giving your new kitten privacy when needed. To meet halfway you can often remove the door of a covered litter tray until your kitten knows where it is before reattaching it and letting them work out how to access it.

To make your new kitten feel at home, you should have a few safe, cosy places for them to curl up and rest. Cat beds come in all different shapes and sizes, so finding the perfect fit may take a few go’s to get it right. From igloo cat beds to thermal ring beds, there are endless cat beds for your new furry friend to love.

Some kitties might prefer to hide away in something like the Round Cosy Plush Grey Cat Cave to feel safe. For the sprawlers of the cat world, a flat bed like the Beddies Spencer Pet Mattress might be the firm favourite. There are lots of options so if your kitten doesn’t take to a cat bed, it could just be the wrong style for them.

Toys aren’t just enrichment to your feline friend; they can also help you bond with them and save your furniture from the sharp end of their claws! Cat scratchers are great for giving your kitten somewhere to practice a very natural behaviour while not destroying the house.

If you’re looking for toys you can play with together cat wands like the KONG Laser Teaser Characters Cat Toy can really help to build their confidence. If your kitten is a foodie, interactive feeders can make mealtimes last much longer and get them practising their problem-solving – just don’t forget to pick up their treats!

While some cats are good at keeping on top of their own grooming, others felines, such as long-haired moggies might need a helping hand from time to time. It’s important to get them used to being brushed so they’re not opposed to it as they grow into an adult when it might be much harder to introduce something new.

You may even need to give their coat a trim from time to time or cut their nails if they’re not scratching them down enough themselves.

Whether you’re a first-time owner or a seasoned kitten parent, you can find all the essentials you need for bringing your new addition home in-store or online.