Getting a new kitten is an exciting time for any family. Cats can be great pets for the right people, but it’s important to be as prepared as possible.

There are lots of things you should do when you’re preparing to bring a new kitten home.

Kitten supply checklist

Once you’ve decided to get a kitten and found a good place to get them from, you’ll need to make sure you’re prepared with all the supplies your new furry friend will need. Here are some things that your list could include:

• Kitten food
• Food and water bowls
• Litter trays
• Cat litter
• Cat beds
• Blankets
• Plenty of toys
• A brush or comb for grooming
• Scratching posts, furniture, or trees.
• A large, secure carrier for transport.
• A cat flap

What to think about before getting a kitten

If you’re thinking of getting a kitten, make sure you’re fully prepared to take on the responsibility. You’ll need to make sure you can meet your new pet’s welfare needs, think about:

Cost

Can you afford everything your cat needs (to set up and for ongoing care)?

Your home

Is it cat appropriate?

• What will need to change for it to become cat friendly?
• Do you already have other pets who might not get on with a kitten?
• Can they access quiet rooms, and will they have a safe outdoor space?
• Do you have any busy roads adjacent to your home?

Time

• Have you got the time to spend with your new kitten?
• Consider whether an adult cat would be better suited to your current lifestyle.

Make home adjustments

Home adjustments could include:

• Installing a cat flap.
• Setting up their bed area
• Setting up their food, water and toilet areas (which should all be in different places).
• Car proof your house by removing potential hazards and poisons (e.g. flowers and plants that are toxic to cats).

Vets and Insurance

Speak to your local vets about vaccinations and neutering and start to get insurance quotes.

What to do when you bring your new kitten home

Once your kitten is home, it’s important that you get into a routine. If you can get a blanket or towel that has the smell of the breeder’s home on it, that can help your new kitten feel safe in their first days in a new home where everything is different. Cats like consistency so try to keep feeding them at the same time each day. Use the same food and litter as the breeder or shelter at first and gradually change them over time.

Take your time when you first arrive home with your new kitten

Even if you plan on letting them have the run of the whole house and outdoors, keep them to just a couple of rooms at first so they don’t get overwhelmed, and you can keep an eye on them. Plug-in diffusers that release calming pheromones can be good for the first few weeks. They can help your kitten feel more relaxed around the home, especially during those first nights!

For the first few days, let them explore at their own pace and don’t bother them too much – stay around but let them come to you. Remember to play with your kitten lots to keep them active but let them sleep if they get tired. Once they’re feeling a bit more confident, you can introduce them to other rooms of the house.

Vets

Get them a vet check soon after bringing them home. Make sure your kitten is fully vaccinated and neutered before you introduce them to the outside world. It’s a good idea to get them microchipped too, as then if they do get lost or go missing you have a much better chance of being reunited. Neutering can be done from four months old and will help prevent any unwanted litters and can protect them against certain cancers and reduce their risk of fighting with other cats.

A vet’s services are also essential in the event of an emergency or for routine checkups. They can advise on what needs to be done, give vaccinations when required, and administer injections if needed.