New Kitten Checklist
Congratulations! You have a new kitten in your home. This is an exciting time to get to know your new fur baby. In addition to the items on the checklist below, you will need to help your little kitten feel safe in their new home.
A little planning before you bring them home is always a good idea. Make sure you have everything you think they will need initially ready to go before you bring them home. You want them to feel safe when they arrive.
Your main objective is to help create a smooth transition that’s less stressful for you and your new kitten!
Start with some of the key points below and then move on to the new kitten checklist to make sure you have everything you need, from kitten food and bowls to toys, litter and treats.
Bringing them home:
Before letting them have the run of the house, start them off with a small room. Give them a chance to listen to new sounds, and smell new scents. Once your kitten is ready to leave the small room, give them time to explore their new home.
Create a Safe Room:
When the kitten arrives, have a safe room ready with the door closed. The safe room should have a cat bed, litter box, toys, food and water bowls.
It is important to have a space where the kitten can hide. This can be a cat condo, cat tunnel or a small, clean cardboard box. A comfy cat bed can be placed in or near the hiding place.
Tip: I also like to keep the cat carrier open with a soft bed inside. This will give them a safe place to hide and make it easier to use the carrier before a veterinary visit in the future.
And kittens love to scratch. Be sure to have a horizontal and vertical scratching post or pad.
To help you out, I created a special collection in the shop filled with New Kitten Essentials.
Learn to Speak Cat:
If this is your first kitten, I recommend getting a new kitten book. It can be a guide to answer any new questions you have about your new kitten or a body language book to learn what their different body behaviors are.
There are a ton of resources online that are free. Just make sure to do your due diligence and make it a point to learn. You are both in new territory, so the more you know the better you will feel at ease and they will too.
Health:
It is important to schedule a new pet visit with your veterinarian. Most veterinarians have new kitten plans that include vaccinations and a microchip. This is also the right time to talk about and choose a pet insurance plan.
Again, being in the know about what to expect and what you need to do to make sure your new family member is taken care of and healthy is very important.
And don't be afraid to ask questions. If this is all new to you, you won't know what to do, so utilize the expertise of your vet to inform you on any questions or concerns you may have.
Tip: It’s also a good idea to have a go-to 24 hour emergency clinic number stored in your phone just in case anything happens.
Most importantly...Have fun with the new fur baby! Take a lot of photos because they will grow up fast and before you know it, they will be adult cats. And remember that pets are forever.
Here is your New Kitten Checklist:
