Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

The only new-kitten checklist you’ll ever need

Paige Cerulli
By

Adding a new kitten to your family is a big event, and you’ll need to prepare to make sure you have everything that your new family member needs. Kittens have some very specific needs in terms of supplies, so if you’re wondering what to buy for a new kitten, this list is the place to start. This new-kitten checklist includes the essentials that you’ll want to have ready to go, but it also includes some items that are nice to have around and that you might want to splurge on. When you’re shopping for your new kitten, make sure you have all the essentials on the list so you’ll be completely ready when your new fur baby comes home.

Kitten sitting under a table
Iqbalnuril/Pixabay

The essentials

A few items are absolute musts for your new kitten.

  • Food: Start with a quality kitten food that’s appropriate for your kitten’s age. Your vet may have a particular brand that they recommend for kittens.
  • Dishes: You’ll also need some food and water dishes. Metal or ceramic dishes are preferable to plastic, which can hold bacteria and odors.
  • Treats: Offering cat treats can help you bond with your kitten. Look for treats sized for a kitten’s smaller mouth, or buy treats that you can easily break into little pieces.
  • Litter box: Be sure to choose a box with a lower entry point that your kitten can easily navigate.
  • Litter: You’ll also want to get some cat litter, which should ideally be the same type of litter your kitten is using in his current home. Avoid clumping litter, which can absorb moisture and create blockages if your kitten should ingest it.
  • Toys: Kittens are playful and energetic, so at least a few toys are also essential. Look for toys that are durable and small enough for your kitten to easily pick up and bat around. You may want to buy a variety of toys so you can see which ones your kitten enjoys the most.
Recommended Videos

Items that are nice to have

While the above items are essentials, there also are some items that are nice to have if you can afford them.

  • Cat bed: Your kitten may curl up on a soft blanket you already have, but you also can treat him to a cat bed all his own. An electric heated bed can be extra toasty and is a nice way to pamper your kitten.
  • Cat tree: Kittens love to climb, so consider getting your new furry family member a cat tree. Cat trees come in all sizes and designs, so you can easily find a tree that fits into your space. Consider getting a cat tree with built-in platforms and hiding places to help your kitten feel secure in his new home.
  • Pet gates: Depending on your home, you may also want to buy a few pet gates. You can use the gates to close off certain areas of your house that could be dangerous to your kitten. A pet gate is also useful in keeping kittens away from a furnace, hot stove, or other off-limits spaces.
Tiger kitten lying in a cat bed
HelgaKa/Pixabay

Preparing your home for a kitten

Buying these items is just the first step in getting ready for your new kitten. You’ll also need to spend time preparing your home.

To get your home ready for a kitten, walk through and look for potential dangers. Make sure that small items that could be ingested, like kids’ toys or string, are put out of reach. You’ll also want to identify any small spaces where your kitten might be able to hide away or possibly get into trouble. Be sure that these spaces are blocked off to keep your kitten safe.

Related

Next, create a safe spot in the home for your kitten. It’s often best to introduce your kitten to one room at a time, so he has a quiet place to explore. Come up with a plan for how you’ll handle other pets and how you’ll eventually introduce them to the new kitten once he’s feeling confident enough.

Bringing home a new kitten is exciting, but it also requires plenty of planning. If you know that you’ll be getting a kitten soon, then start your shopping ahead of time. Keeping an eye out for sales and specials can save you money, meaning you’ll be able to get not only the essentials but also some splurge items that are nice to have around. By making sure that you’re well stocked up on all your new furry family member’s necessities, you’ll be able to spend more time getting to know your new kitten.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
Cat begging for food? How to make it stop for good so you can eat in peace
6 essential tips to nip cat begging behavior before it gets worse
Car eating from a food bowl

If you have a cat obsessed with food, you're probably all too used to hearing them beg for food constantly, especially anytime you go into the kitchen. However, if your cat begging for food is getting out of hand, you'll need to step in and make some changes to discourage this begging. Plus, some foods aren't safe for cats to consume, anyway.
Cats may beg for food because of boredom, habit, or hunger, so getting to the root of your cat's behavior is essential when trying to change it. These tips can help you better understand how to get your cat to stop begging for food, so mealtimes become much less stressful for you both.

Start with a trip to the vet
If your cat is always begging for food, it could indicate a health issue. Worms and intestinal parasites could be feeding off your cat and making them feel like they're always hungry. Hyperthyroidism is a common health condition that can also make cats feel continuously hungry. Other health issues like cancer and diabetes can have a similar effect.
If your cat has recently developed this new behavior, it might indicate a physical issue. Make an appointment with your vet to have your cat checked over, just in case. In many cases, treating the underlying health issue can leave your cat feeling satisfied again and make the begging behavior disappear.

Read more
Why you should feel honored if your cat sleeps at your feet
If you've ever wondered, 'Why do cats sleep at your feet?'— this article is for you
Calico cat lying on a white comforter

Have you noticed that when you go to bed, your cat automatically heads to the foot of the bed and curls up by your feet? It's no mistake, and it's not your cat giving you the cold shoulder, either. This is a deliberate decision on your cat's part, and there are many reasons why they might choose to sleep there instead of curling up on your stomach or by your shoulder. In fact, if your cat sleeps by your feet, you should take it as a compliment and feel flattered.

So, why do cats sleep at your feet? Factors like your cat's affection for you, making your cat feel safe, and even the body heat you generate probably played into your cat's decision to sleep at the foot of the bed.

Read more
What you need to know about your cat’s swollen lip – what caused it and how to help it heal
These are the most likely causes and best treatment options for your cat's swollen lip
Woman petting cat

Your sweet furry friend is a wealth of enjoyment and entertainment — from funny sleeping positions to those precious purrs. Cat behavior can be somewhat of a mystery for even the most dedicated kitty lovers, though, and those feline feelings can lead to physical manifestations that puzzle us.

If you've ever looked at your cat and noticed a swelling on the upper or lower lip, here's what you need to know: This common occurrence isn't something to worry about, but it isn't something to ignore, either. While your vet checks your cat's health, you can read up on this confusing condition. Here's what causes a cat's swollen lip.

Read more