New Kitten Checklist: Everything You Need in the First Week

Bringing home a kitten is one of life’s genuine joys — and one of its genuine challenges. The first week sets the tone for your kitten’s entire life with you. Get it right, and you’ll build the foundation for a confident, healthy, well-adjusted cat. Here’s everything you need to know.

Supplies to Have Before They Arrive

Set up before the kitten comes home: a litter box with low sides (kittens have short legs), unscented clumping litter, food and water bowls, age-appropriate kitten food (wet and dry), a comfortable bed or blanket, a carrier for vet visits, safe toys, and a scratching post. Having everything ready means you can focus entirely on your new arrival.

Kitten-Proofing Your Home

Kittens are tiny, curious, and fearless — a dangerous combination. Secure loose cords and wires, move toxic plants out of reach (lilies are especially deadly to cats), close washing machine and dryer doors, secure open windows, and block access to small gaps they could get stuck in. Start with one or two kitten-proofed rooms and expand their territory gradually.

The First Day: Calm and Quiet

Set up a single room as your kitten’s home base — ideally a smaller, quieter space. Put the litter box, food, water, and bed in this room. Let the kitten explore at their own pace. Avoid overwhelming them with visitors or loud noise. Kittens are very small and easily stressed — calm, patient introductions build trust far faster than overstimulation.

Litter Training

Most kittens arrive already using a litter box — cats are naturally inclined to bury their waste. Show your kitten where the box is and gently place them in it after meals and naps. Keep it scrupulously clean; cats refuse to use dirty boxes. Use the same type of litter consistently in the beginning.

First Vet Visit

Book a vet appointment within the first week. Your vet will do a full health check, screen for parasites, begin or confirm the vaccination schedule (typically starting at 8–9 weeks), discuss spaying/neutering timing, and advise on diet and flea prevention. Bring any paperwork from the breeder or rescue. This visit is essential — and a great opportunity to ask all your questions.

Handling and Socialisation

The window between 2 and 7 weeks is critical for feline socialisation, but the period up to 14 weeks still matters enormously. Handle your kitten gently every day — including touching their paws, ears, and mouth. Expose them to different sounds, people, and surfaces. Well-socialised kittens become confident, people-friendly adult cats.

When to See a Vet Urgently

Seek immediate veterinary care if your kitten isn’t eating or drinking after 24 hours, has bloody diarrhea, is vomiting more than once, has difficulty breathing, or is extremely lethargic. Kittens are fragile and can deteriorate quickly. When in doubt, call your vet — they expect new kitten owner questions and would rather hear from you early.

The first week can feel overwhelming, but it passes quickly. Before long, your kitten will own your home, your sofa, and your heart — and you wouldn’t have it any other way.