10 Must-Have Kitten Accessories | Cat Tree UK

1. A Secure Cat Carrier

Your carrier is the first accessory you will use, so buy it before collection day. Choose a sturdy, ventilated model with secure fastenings. A top-opening carrier can make access easier, while a removable base or lid can simplify cleaning.

Check the internal dimensions as well as the weight limit: your kitten needs room to stand, turn and lie comfortably. Line it with washable bedding and secure it for travel according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Buying tip: Look for replacement clips and straightforward assembly. A carrier that is difficult to close properly is an inconvenience you do not need before a vet appointment.

2. Separate Food and Water Bowls

Simple, shallow stainless-steel or ceramic bowls are a practical starting point. Choose a stable base and a finish that is easy to wash. Separate bowls let you position water away from food and keep both away from the litter area.

Before buying food, ask the rescue or breeder exactly what your kitten currently eats. Start with that familiar diet and make any change gradually. Choose food labelled complete and suitable for kittens or growth; complementary foods are not designed to supply their whole diet.

Follow the feeding guide and ask your vet about portions for your kitten. See PDSA's kitten feeding guidance for more detail.

Buying tip: A spare bowl is more immediately useful than an elaborate feeding station. You can wash one while the other is in use.

3. Litter Trays, Suitable Litter and a Scoop

Look for a tray with an entrance your kitten can step over comfortably and enough floor space to turn around. Plan for one tray per cat plus an extra, positioned in separate, accessible places.

Ask which litter your kitten already uses and check that the product is suitable for their age. Avoid choosing solely on fragrance or convenience. If your kitten eats litter, ask your vet which type to use.

Buying tip: Buy the scoop at the same time and check that its slots work with your chosen litter. A tray mat is an optional extra; an accessible, regularly cleaned tray comes first.

4. A Washable Bed and Spare Blanket

Choose a bed for everyday practicality: an accessible entrance, washable fabric and no loose decorations to chew. A removable cover is particularly handy when the bed itself will not fit in your washing machine.

Check the care label before buying. Two inexpensive blankets that wash easily may be more useful than one beautiful cushion that needs specialist cleaning. Your kitten may still choose the cardboard packaging, which is their way of keeping your interior-design ambitions in perspective.

Buying tip: Compare the actual sleeping area, not just the outer dimensions. Thick padded sides can leave less usable space than a product photograph suggests.

Explore our cat bedding for comfortable resting options.

5. A Comfortable Hiding Place

A retreat does not need to be expensive. A sturdy cardboard box with a clear entrance and a blanket can provide a sheltered place to rest. Remove staples, tape and loose handles before offering it.

If you prefer an enclosed bed, check that the opening is generous and the interior can be cleaned. Place it somewhere quiet where your kitten can come and go without being followed.

Buying tip: A covered bed can serve as both a sleeping area and a hideaway. You do not need two separate products simply to tick two boxes on a shopping list.

6. A Stable Scratching Post or Pad

Scratching is normal behaviour, so provide an appropriate surface from the beginning. An upright post should be stable and tall enough for a full stretch. A horizontal cardboard scratcher offers another option.

With a freestanding post, inspect the base dimensions and assembly instructions. A narrow base may take up less room, but stability matters when your kitten starts pulling against it.

Buying tip: Compare the usable scratching length rather than the overall height. A large decorative top does not give your kitten extra room to stretch.

Browse our scratching posts and choose a design that fits the space where your kitten spends time.

7. Safe Toys for Interactive Play

Start with a small selection: a wand toy for supervised games, a robust toy mouse and a ball that cannot be swallowed. Different shapes and movements give you a chance to discover what catches your kitten's attention.

Put string and wand toys away after play. Check for loose threads, damaged seams and detachable parts, and replace worn toys. Use toys rather than fingers as targets for pouncing.

Buying tip: Buy a few different types before investing in a large set. Ten identical toys are less useful if your kitten ignores the first one.

8. An Accessible Cat Tree or Perch

A cat tree can combine scratching, resting and climbing in one footprint. It is a useful addition, but a very tall tower is not a day-one requirement.

For a small kitten, look closely at the route between levels. Low starting platforms, manageable gaps and surfaces with grip matter more than the number of beds pictured. Consider the downward route too: every platform needs a practical way off.

• Check the base size against your available floor space.
• Follow assembly and wall-fixing instructions where supplied.
• Choose platforms suitable for your kitten's current size and ability.
• Inspect and tighten fixings as directed by the manufacturer.

Buying tip: Choose for safe access now as well as room to grow. A larger structure is only useful if your kitten can use it comfortably.

Compare our cat trees, paying particular attention to platform spacing and stability.

9. Suitable Grooming Tools

Select a brush or comb suited to your kitten's coat rather than buying the largest grooming kit available. Long coats and short coats have different maintenance needs; your vet or a qualified groomer can help you choose.

Introduce the tool gradually and keep early sessions brief. Let your kitten investigate it, then build up gentle grooming while they are comfortable.

Buying tip: Check the shape and finish of the teeth or bristles. Nail clippers are an additional purchase if needed; ask for a demonstration before attempting claw trimming.

10. A Simple Puzzle Feeder

A feeding puzzle is an optional enrichment accessory once your kitten is eating reliably and settling in. Start with an easy design that releases food with little effort, while keeping their normal meals accessible.

Use some of their measured daily food allowance rather than adding unlimited treats. If they cannot work it out or lose interest, make it easier and try another time.

Buying tip: Check whether the puzzle comes apart for washing and whether the openings suit the food you use. Avoid complicated mechanisms that are awkward to inspect or clean.

Which Kitten Accessories Can Wait?

Spend first on a dependable carrier, accessible toileting equipment, food, bowls and basic resting, scratching and play options. A cardboard hideaway and washable blanket can keep the initial setup simple.

Water fountains, automatic feeders, large climbing systems and extensive toy collections can wait until you understand your kitten's preferences. Keep money available for ongoing food, litter and veterinary care instead of spending the entire budget before collection day.

Set Everything Up Before Your Kitten Arrives

Prepare a quiet starter room with distinct eating, drinking, toileting and resting areas. Secure hazards such as loose cables and inaccessible gaps. Check that doors and windows cannot provide an escape route.

Register with a vet and arrange advice on vaccinations, parasite prevention, neutering and microchipping. Accessories are only one part of preparing for a kitten.

For a broader preparation guide, see Cats Protection's advice on bringing a kitten home.