New Kitten Checklist: 15 Essentials You Need Before Bringing Them Home
Bringing home a new kitten is exciting, but having the right essentials ready before they arrive can make their first few days much calmer. At a minimum, your kitten will need suitable kitten food, separate food and water bowls, a litter tray and litter, a comfortable sleeping area, hiding places, a scratching surface, safe toys, a secure carrier and access to veterinary care.
Your new kitten essentials at a glance
You do not need to buy everything in the pet shop before bringing your kitten home. Focus first on safety, food, water, toileting, somewhere comfortable to sleep, somewhere to hide, scratching opportunities, play and a secure way to travel to the vet.
New Kitten Checklist: What Do You Actually Need?
It is very easy to get carried away when shopping for a new kitten. Fortunately, kittens care considerably less about matching accessories than we do.
Before your kitten arrives, concentrate on getting the essentials right.
15 New Kitten Essentials
✓Complete kitten food
✓Food bowl
✓Water bowl or fountain
✓Litter tray
✓Suitable cat litter
✓Litter scoop
✓Comfortable cat bed
✓Safe hiding place
✓Scratching post
✓Kitten-safe toys
✓Secure cat carrier
✓Brush or comb
✓Veterinary registration
✓Microchip
✓Pet-safe cleaning supplies
You can add extras such as a cat tree, playpen, water fountain, additional beds and more elaborate toys once you know what your kitten actually enjoys.
1. Kitten-Proof Your Home Before They Arrive
One of the most important kitten essentials cannot be bought at all: a safe home.
Kittens are curious, small and surprisingly determined. Places that look completely inaccessible to you may look like excellent hiding spots to a kitten.
Before bringing your kitten home:
Secure or cover loose electrical cables.
Block dangerous gaps behind appliances and furniture.
Keep washing machines and tumble dryers closed.
Secure windows and exterior doors.
Remove medicines, household chemicals and cleaning products from reach.
Keep small objects that could be swallowed safely stored away.
Remove unsafe string, ribbon, elastic bands and similar items.
Check all houseplants and flowers are cat-safe.
Keep toilet lids closed while your kitten is very young.
Check reclining chairs and moving furniture before operating them.
Be particularly careful with lilies.
Lilies are extremely dangerous to cats. The flowers, leaves, pollen and even water from a vase containing lilies can present a serious poisoning risk, so the safest approach is not to keep lilies in a home with cats.
It can also help to give your kitten a smaller sanctuary area rather than immediate access to your entire home.
A spare bedroom or quiet office works particularly well. If you do not have a suitable room, read our guide to using a playpen for a kitten for another way to create a controlled settling space.
2. Kitten Food and Water Bowls
Growing kittens need a nutritionally complete food formulated specifically for kittens.
If possible, find out what food your kitten was eating with their breeder, rescue centre or previous owner and continue with the same food initially.
Moving home is already a major change. Suddenly changing food at the same time can unnecessarily upset your kitten's stomach.
If you want to change their diet, make the transition gradually and ask your vet for advice if you are uncertain about what to feed.
Food and Water Bowl Tips
Choose stable bowls that are difficult to tip over.
Keep food and drinking water away from the litter tray.
Provide fresh drinking water at all times.
Wash bowls regularly.
Consider wide, shallow dishes if your kitten dislikes their whiskers touching the sides.
Some cats prefer their water positioned separately from their food, so experiment with placement if your kitten does not seem keen to drink.
3. Litter Tray, Cat Litter and Scoop
A litter tray should be ready before your kitten arrives.
For a very young kitten, choose a tray with sides low enough for them to enter comfortably while still providing enough space to turn around and dig.
Position the tray somewhere quiet and easy to access, but not directly beside your kitten's food, water or sleeping area.
If your kitten is already accustomed to a particular type of litter, using the same one initially can make the move easier.
Multi-cat home? Cats should not be expected to share every resource. Providing multiple litter trays in different locations can reduce competition and give cats greater choice.
Scoop waste regularly and keep the tray clean, but avoid heavily perfumed cleaners that may make the toilet area less appealing to your kitten.
4. A Comfortable Kitten Bed and Hiding Place
Kittens sleep a lot, so a quiet and comfortable resting area is one of the most useful things you can prepare.
Choose somewhere warm, draught-free and away from the busiest parts of your home.
Many kittens feel safer in beds with raised sides, covered sleeping areas or other cosy spaces where they can curl up.
CatTree has a wide range of cat beds and bedding if you want to create a dedicated sleeping area.
Your kitten should also have somewhere to hide.
This does not need to be expensive. A cardboard box positioned on its side can make an excellent temporary hideaway.
Importantly, allow your kitten to stay hidden if they want to. Do not repeatedly pull a nervous kitten out of their safe space to encourage interaction.
5. A Scratching Post and Safe Climbing Opportunities
Scratching is normal cat behaviour, not a bad habit that kittens need to grow out of.
Cats scratch to stretch, maintain their claws and leave visual and scent signals in their environment.
Giving your kitten an appropriate scratching surface from their first day at home can make it much easier to direct this natural behaviour away from your furniture.
Choose a scratching post that is stable enough not to wobble when your kitten uses it. You can explore CatTree's scratching posts for different styles and sizes.
Do Kittens Need a Cat Tree?
A cat tree is not absolutely essential on day one, but it can be one of the best long-term purchases you make.
Cats naturally enjoy climbing, observing their surroundings from elevated positions, scratching and resting away from floor-level activity.
A well-designed cat tree can provide several of these opportunities in one place.
For very small kittens: begin with lower, easy-to-access climbing opportunities and make sure tall furniture is stable. Tiny kittens are enthusiastic climbers but are not always equally talented at getting back down.
6. Kitten-Safe Toys and Play
Kittens learn through play.
Chasing, stalking, pouncing and batting at toys allow them to practise natural predatory behaviours while burning off some of their considerable energy.
You do not need dozens of toys. A useful starter selection might include:
small lightweight balls
soft toy mice
wand or fishing-rod toys for supervised play
simple puzzle toys
tunnels
cardboard boxes
Do not leave every toy out unsupervised.
Toys containing long cords, string, elastic, loose feathers or detachable small parts should be put away when playtime finishes if they could become tangled around your kitten or swallowed.
Rotate toys rather than leaving everything available permanently. Bringing an old toy back after a few days can make it exciting again without constantly buying new ones.
7. A Safe Space for Your New Kitten
Giving a new kitten immediate access to an entire house can be overwhelming.
Setting up one quiet room with their bed, litter tray, food, water, hiding place, toys and scratching surface gives them somewhere manageable to learn that your home is safe.
As your kitten grows in confidence, you can gradually allow them to explore more of the house.
If children live in the home, make sure they understand that the kitten must be able to sleep, eat, hide and use their litter tray without being disturbed.
Our guide to children and cats has more advice on creating positive interactions between cats and younger family members.
8. A Secure Cat Carrier
A proper cat carrier belongs near the top of any new kitten checklist.
You will need it when collecting your kitten, attending veterinary appointments and whenever your cat needs to travel safely.
Look for a carrier that is sturdy, well ventilated, securely fastened and large enough for your kitten to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably.
Do not store the carrier away immediately after arriving home.
Leaving it open with comfortable bedding inside can help your kitten view it as a familiar resting place rather than something that mysteriously appears immediately before every veterinary appointment.
9. Grooming Supplies
Even cats with relatively low-maintenance coats can benefit from becoming comfortable with grooming while they are young.
The grooming tools you need will depend on your kitten's coat length and type.
Your basic grooming kit might include:
a kitten-appropriate brush or comb
a fine comb for checking the coat
pet-safe nail clippers if recommended and you are confident using them
a soft cloth for occasional cleaning
Keep grooming sessions short and positive initially. The goal is not simply to remove loose fur; it is to teach your kitten that being gently handled is a normal part of life.
Regularly handling paws, looking briefly at ears and gently touching around the mouth can also make future grooming and veterinary examinations easier.
10. Register With a Vet
Do not wait until your kitten is ill before deciding which veterinary practice to use.
Register with a local vet shortly after bringing your kitten home and arrange an initial health check if one has not recently been completed.
Your vet can advise you about:
vaccinations
flea treatment
worming
microchipping
neutering
diet and weight
dental care
when it is safe for your kitten to go outside
Kittens can usually begin their vaccination course from around eight weeks of age, although the precise schedule should be discussed with your own vet.
11. Consider Pet Insurance
Veterinary treatment can become expensive unexpectedly, so insurance is worth considering before your kitten develops any health conditions that could later be treated as pre-existing.
Policies vary substantially, so compare more than the monthly price.
Look at the veterinary-fee limit, excess, whether ongoing conditions continue to be covered, exclusions and any requirements relating to vaccinations or routine care.
12. Microchipping and Identification
Microchipping provides permanent identification and greatly improves the chances of a lost cat being traced back to their owner.
In England, owned cats must be microchipped and registered on an approved database by the time they are 20 weeks old. This requirement also applies to cats that normally live indoors.
The rules are different elsewhere in the UK, so check the current requirements for where you live.
Remember that inserting the chip is only half the job. Your contact details need to remain accurate on the microchip database if you move home or change telephone number.
13. Pet-Safe Cleaning Supplies
Kittens are messy.
Between spilled food, litter scattered across the floor and the occasional toileting accident, it is useful to have suitable cleaning supplies ready before your kitten arrives.
An enzymatic pet cleaner can be particularly useful for accidents because it helps remove odours rather than simply masking them.
Always check that cleaning products are suitable for homes with cats and store household chemicals securely after use.
14. Familiar Items From Their Previous Home
One of the most useful kitten essentials might cost absolutely nothing.
Ask the breeder, foster carer or rescue centre whether your kitten can come home with a small blanket or piece of bedding carrying familiar scents.
An object that smells familiar can provide reassurance when everything else around your kitten suddenly looks and smells different.
15. Time, Patience and a Predictable Routine
Food bowls and beds are easy to buy. Patience is the essential that tends to matter most.
Some kittens confidently investigate a new home within minutes. Others hide for hours or even days before they are ready to explore.
Give your kitten control over the pace.
Keep feeding times reasonably consistent, allow plenty of sleep and use calm play and gentle interaction to build trust.
What Should I Do on My Kitten's First Night?
Your kitten's first night can feel strange for both of you.
Keep them in the secure area you prepared rather than allowing unrestricted access to the whole house immediately.
Before bedtime, make sure they have access to:
fresh drinking water
a clean litter tray
a warm sleeping area
a secure hiding place
a safe environment without loose cords or hazardous objects
A kitten may meow during their first night because everything around them is unfamiliar. Stay calm and reassuring, but try to establish a predictable bedtime routine rather than turning every nighttime noise into an exciting play session.
What Do You NOT Need for a New Kitten?
A good kitten checklist should also stop you buying things unnecessarily.
You probably do not need:
dozens of toys before learning what your kitten likes
several expensive beds when a kitten may initially prefer the cardboard box
a huge supply of unfamiliar food
strongly scented litter or heavily perfumed cleaning products
clothes or novelty accessories
unsuitable toys with easily swallowed pieces
a collar as a replacement for microchipping
Start with the basics and let your kitten's preferences guide later purchases.
New Kitten Checklist: Before Collection Day
Task
Ready?
Buy the same kitten food they are currently eating
□
Prepare food and water bowls
□
Set up litter tray and litter
□
Create a quiet sleeping area
□
Add a hiding place
□
Set up a scratching post
□
Buy a secure carrier
□
Kitten-proof cables, windows and dangerous gaps
□
Remove toxic plants and household hazards
□
Register with a vet
□
Check vaccination and microchip records
□
Consider pet insurance
□
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the essentials for a new kitten?
The main essentials are complete kitten food, fresh water, separate bowls, a litter tray and litter, a comfortable sleeping area, a hiding place, scratching facilities, safe toys, a secure carrier and veterinary care. Your home should also be thoroughly kitten-proofed before your kitten arrives.
What should I buy before bringing a kitten home?
Buy the items your kitten needs immediately: food, bowls, litter tray, litter, bedding, a carrier, a scratching post and several safe toys. It is usually better to add non-essential products later once you understand your kitten's personality and preferences.
Where should a kitten sleep on their first night?
A new kitten is usually best kept in a quiet, secure and thoroughly kitten-proofed room or other suitable safe area for their first few nights. Provide a warm bed, hiding place, drinking water and litter tray, with the litter positioned away from the sleeping and feeding areas.
Do I need a cat tree for a kitten?
A cat tree is not mandatory, but it can provide valuable climbing, scratching, resting and observation opportunities. Choose something stable and appropriate for your kitten's age and confidence, particularly while they are still very small.
How many litter trays does a kitten need?
One kitten needs reliable access to at least one clean litter tray, but an additional tray can be helpful in larger homes. In multi-cat households, provide multiple toilet options in separate locations rather than expecting every cat to share a single tray.
Should food and water be next to a kitten's litter tray?
No. Keep feeding and drinking areas well away from the litter tray. Cats generally prefer their eating, drinking and toileting areas to be separated.
When should I take my new kitten to the vet?
Register your kitten with a veterinary practice as soon as possible after bringing them home and arrange a health check if they have not recently had one. Your vet can then review vaccination, parasite treatment, microchipping, neutering and any individual health needs.
At what age does a kitten need to be microchipped?
In England, owned cats must be microchipped and registered by 20 weeks of age. Requirements differ elsewhere in the UK, so check the current rules where you live.
The Bottom Line
Preparing for a kitten does not require filling your house with expensive accessories.
Get the fundamentals right first: nutritious kitten food, clean water, somewhere comfortable to sleep, a suitable toilet area, opportunities to scratch and play, a safe carrier and a thoroughly kitten-proofed home.
Once those essentials are covered, you can gradually add things such as larger scratching furniture, additional beds and climbing equipment as you discover what your kitten enjoys.
Most importantly, give your kitten time. A predictable routine, a safe environment and the freedom to settle at their own pace will do far more for those first few weeks than buying every product on the shelf.
Written by Megan Willis | Last updated: October 2026
Practical buying checks before you order
Check a carrier’s fastenings, cleaning access and availability of replacement clips. For beds, compare the internal sleeping area and washing instructions; spare washable blankets can be more useful than an elaborate cushion. A covered bed can also provide a hiding place if it is accessible and easy to clean.
Compare the usable scratching length of a post, not only its total height. With climbing furniture, check the route down as carefully as the route up, along with grip, platform spacing and the manufacturer’s fixing instructions. A kitten starter bundle is only good value if the individual carrier, tray, bowls and toys suit your kitten.
A simple feeding puzzle can wait until your kitten is eating reliably and settling in. Choose an easy, washable design, use part of their usual food allowance and keep normal meals accessible. Start with a few different safe toys rather than buying many of one type before you know their preferences.
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