New Kitten Checklist: Everything You Need for Your First Cat (2026)

Getting a new kitten is pure joy — and a little bit of organized chaos. Between the tiny claws, the midnight zoomies, and the complete indifference to being told "no," kittens are a wonderful handful. Before you bring yours home, here's everything you'll need — organized by priority — to make the transition smooth for both of you.

Before Your Kitten Comes Home

1. A Litter Box and Litter

Start with an uncovered, low-sided litter box — kittens need to get in and out easily. Unscented clumping litter is usually preferred. The general rule: one litter box per cat, plus one extra. If you have a multi-level home, place a box on each floor.

Tip: Put the litter box somewhere quiet and accessible, away from food and water. Once a kitten develops their litter habits, moving the box can cause accidents.

2. Food and Water Bowls

Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are easiest to clean and bacteria-resistant. Many cats prefer their water away from their food — some do well with a small pet fountain (moving water is more appealing to cats). Our Feeding & Bowls collection has options suitable for kittens and adult cats.

3. Kitten Food

Kittens have different nutritional needs than adult cats — they need more protein and calories per pound of body weight. Look for food labeled specifically for kittens. Ask your breeder or shelter what food your kitten is currently eating and stick with it for the first week to avoid stomach upset.

4. A Bed or Hideaway

Kittens feel safest in enclosed, cozy spaces. A nest-style bed or covered hideaway mimics the security of being tucked in somewhere warm. Our Beds & Comfort collection includes plush sleeping kennels and cat tent hideaways that kittens (and adult cats) love. Place the bed in a quiet corner away from foot traffic.

5. A Scratching Post

Scratching is non-negotiable for cats — they do it to mark territory, maintain claws, and stretch. If you don't provide appropriate surfaces to scratch, they'll find their own (usually your couch). A tall, stable scratching post placed near where they sleep is a good start.

First Week Essentials

6. Interactive Toys

Kittens have almost unlimited energy and a deep predatory instinct. Interactive toys — wand toys, feather teasers, laser pointers, and crinkle balls — are essential for healthy physical development and bonding. Daily play sessions of 10–15 minutes are especially important for indoor kittens who don't have outdoor prey to chase.

Browse our Toys & Enrichment collection for options. Our guide to the best interactive cat toys has detailed recommendations by play style.

7. A Collar and ID Tag

Even for indoor-only cats, a breakaway collar with an ID tag is worth having. Accidents happen — doors get left open, windows get left ajar. A collar with your contact information gives your kitten a safety net.

Always use a breakaway collar for cats — regular collars can catch on things and cause injury. See our Collars & Leashes collection for appropriate cat collars.

8. Grooming Basics

Getting your kitten used to being groomed early makes adult grooming much easier. Start with a soft-bristle brush and a gentle comb for tangles. Even short-haired cats benefit from weekly brushing — it reduces shedding, prevents hairballs, and is a wonderful bonding activity. Our Grooming & Care collection has cat-appropriate tools.

9. Vet Appointment

Schedule a vet visit within the first week. Your vet will check for parasites, review vaccinations, and discuss spaying or neutering. This is also your chance to ask all the first-time cat owner questions you've accumulated.

First Month Additions

10. Cleanup Supplies

Accidents happen, even with perfectly litter-trained kittens. Keep an enzyme-based cleaner on hand — it breaks down odors at the source, which prevents your kitten from returning to the same spot. Our Hygiene & Cleanup collection has everything you need.

11. A Carrier

For vet visits and travel, a hard-sided or soft-sided carrier is essential. Introduce the carrier early by leaving it open with a blanket inside — let your kitten explore it at their own pace so it doesn't become associated with stressful trips.

12. Cat-Proofing

Kittens are curiosity machines. Tuck away electrical cords, remove toxic houseplants (lilies and pothos are especially dangerous to cats), secure windows with screens, and stash away small objects that can be swallowed. It's the kitten version of baby-proofing.

The Gift Worth Getting Early

Here's one for the wishlist: a custom portrait of your new kitten, taken while they're still small and impossibly cute. Kittens grow up fast — that tiny, bright-eyed version of your cat exists for just a few months. A custom watercolor portrait or oil painting portrait captures that moment in hand-crafted fine art that you'll display for years.

From $49.99. Submit a clear photo after purchase via our photo submission page. Delivered within 8–14 calendar days.

Best kitten photos for portraits: Eye level, natural light near a window, when they're calm and attentive — perhaps right after a play session when they're in that beautiful tired-but-alert state. See our full photo guide for tips.

New Kitten Checklist Summary

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