If you’re preparing for a kitten, we’ve put together a checklist of things to do that will ensure you're 100% ready for bringing home a new kitten. While welcoming a little fur friend into your life can be a super exciting time, I know from my own experience that it can bring a few challenges with it as well.
There are lots of things to consider when you get a kitten. Do you have existing pets? Are you home during the day, or do you tend to be out a lot? Will you be able to devote enough time to them? Are you prepared for the additional financial demands? Thinking these questions through will help ensure you choose the best breed for you and you're ready for what lies ahead.
Getting a new kitten can be really special, but I'm really glad I spent time thinking it through before we welcomed our own little bundle of joy into the family. It's not all cuddles and play time with cute kitten toys – those early days can also be hard work as you try to establish a routine for your new feline friend and help them learn what's expected of them.
This checklist will help you think through all the important questions and make sure you have everything you need before your bundle of fluff sets paws inside your home. So, without further ado, here's what to consider...
Preparing for a kitten
1. Do your breed research
I have to admit, I wasn't keen on getting a second cat to begin with. Working from home, I felt I already had my hands full with one feline friend in my life. Our British Shorthair/Burmese cross, Roxy, definitely inherited more Burmese genes, and at that point, she was demanding a fair amount of my attention. How on earth would I get my work done while juggling two cats?
In the end, I said to my husband that if we were going to get another kitty, it would have to be one of the best cats for introverts. I wanted one of the quietest cat breeds that enjoyed the company of humans but was relatively undemanding and independent. We decided to go for a full British Shorthair this time around, and we hit the jackpot — Teddy is exactly what I was looking for in a second cat.
If I could recommend just one thing in your hunt for a kitten, it would be this: think carefully about your lifestyle and do your breed research. Are you wanting a high-energy breed who will accompany you on outdoor adventures? If so, a Bengal could be a good fit.
Maybe you want a chatty, Velcro kitty who will follow you wherever you go? A Burmese or Siamese would be a good choice. Or maybe you're after a quiet and cuddly lap cat? A ragdoll or Persian will tick that box nicely. While all cats have their own unique personalities, thinking through what you're looking for in a feline friend will give you the best chance of finding a good match.
2. Don't underestimate the time commitment
All kittens require a substantial time commitment in the first six months of their life, regardless of whether they're high energy or spend a lot of time on your lap. When you bring home your new pet, all sorts of things will happen that will draw your focus away from whatever else it is that you're trying to do.
Kittens have a lot of energy, so there'll be moments during the day where they're zooming round the house at high speed, knocking things over and getting into all sorts of mischief that you hadn't anticipated. You also need to be really consistent with your training, as many kittens will test the boundaries, especially when they have the zoomies and decide to forgo their cat scratching post in favor of pulling themselves along the bottom of your couch!
If you plan on neutering your pet (and unless you plan on using them for breeding purposes, I highly recommend you do to prevent male aggression or unwanted pregnancies in females) there is also a recovery process to oversee, including pain relief to be administered, a medical cone that needs to be kept in place to prevent them from licking their stitches, and supervising them to ensure they don't overexert themselves.
3. Kitten proof your home
Next, you'll definitely want to kitten proof your home. We were fairly lucky in that first year with Teddy, as although she was very playful, she wasn't one for chewing small objects or cables, so we didn't have the risks associated with those things to worry about.
One thing she did love, though, was human food! It took us a few weeks to realise we couldn't leave butter, cheese, cream, or any other dairy-based item out on the counter as we'd turn our backs for a second and then look back to find her paws and whiskers covered in whatever fat-based goodness she'd managed to get stuck into.
She was also quite big on chewing on the leaves of the plants in our home, but thankfully, we already had Roxy in our family, so we'd long since made sure our plants were non-toxic to cats.
You'll also want to keep toilet seats down (kittens can fall in easily), lock away household chemicals, and protect your furniture if your new kitty is prone to scratching things other than their post.
4. Plan the integration
Unfortunately, if you already have another fur friend or two in your family, it's impossible to know for sure how they'll cope with a new addition. Some pets take to each other instantly and are besties for life, while others may only ever learn to tolerate each other and some may never be able to co-exist.
It really is luck of the draw. We'd hoped because Roxy is so outgoing with humans that she'd do well with Teddy as long as we got the introductions right, but sadly it didn't go as well as we expected. Thankfully, while the first nine months were pretty bumpy, they have got to the point where they can live together without too many issues.
My top tip for keeping the peace in a multi-pet household is not to rush the introductions. We kept Teddy and Roxy separate for the first two weeks, with Roxy having free rein of the house as usual and Teddy being confined to the living room.
After that, we introduced each cat to the other's scent and then let them meet by opening the door just a crack so they could see each other. If Roxy hissed, we closed the door and started the process all over again. Finally, they were able to be in the same room together with supervision (and lots of cat treats!), and now, a year later, we can leave them home alone together.
While I hope the relationship between your pets moves a bit quicker than ours did, make sure you think through how to integrate them, and don't underestimate how long it might take for them to be able to co-exist peacefully.
5. Decide if they'll be an indoor or outdoor cat (or both)
There are some cat breeds that prefer being outdoors, and trying to keep them inside will only cause you to want to tear your hair out — trust me, I speak from experience! While Teddy is a little bit more agreeable to having her outdoor access curtailed, being Burmese, Roxy is a complete genius and will simply manipulate the dials on the cat flap until she can get out.
Have a think before you adopt a kitten as to whether or not they'll eventually have outdoor access. Some breeds, like the Persian and Scottish Fold, will be quite content to remain indoors as they're more docile and less adventurous, but others don't take kindly to being kept inside unless you provide them with a lot of mental and physical stimulation to entertain them.
If you decide that your kitten will eventually go outside, it's important you don't let them out before they're neutered and vaccinated — typically after six months of age. You'll also want to supervise them at first until they get confident. We only let Teddy out with us for short periods at a time, gradually working up to longer spells and eventually leaving her outside unsupervised when we were sure she was comfortable.
6. Purchase essential supplies
Before bringing home your new kitten, you'll want to stock up on everything they're going to need. An automatic cat litter box can be a great option if you don't fancy scooping out your kitten's poop on a daily basis, but I'm not particularly bothered by that so we just went with a regular one. You'll also want to get the litter to go in it, as well as poop bags and a scoop.
Aside from that, a cat scratching post is essential to prevent your kitty from sinking their claws into your furniture. Depending on how much space you have, you may want to invest in one of the best cat trees instead, as these have the scratching post incorporated into them, plus they provide your kitty with a place to sleep, as most feature at least one bed and condo.
Finally, you'll need food, toys, and a separate bed if you don't plan on buying a cat tree (or simply want them to have additional options). If you'd like your kitten to wear a collar, it can be a good idea to get them used to this when they're young, and you might also like to buy a grooming brush for the same reason.
7. Create a safe space for them
Imagine having to leave the only home and family you'd ever known and suddenly finding yourself in a strange new house without your littermates for company. It would feel pretty daunting, wouldn't it? It's normal for kittens to take some time to settle in, but creating a safe space for them can really help make the transition easier.
It's worth setting up a small space that your kitten can use to hide away in if they feel they need it. If you happen to have a blanket with their mother's scent on it, pop this into their bed or another comfortable area in your home – this familiar smell can be very soothing for kittens.
Don't force your kitten to interact with you, and don't try to stop them from hiding away. This is a very natural and normal behavior when they're adjusting to a new place. Of course, not all kittens will feel the need to do this. Teddy was relaxed from the get-go and never hid away or cried at night, but many kittens (especially breeds that are highly people-oriented) may take some time to relax and feel safe.
8. Consider how you'll get them home
Once you've decided on a kitten and purchased the necessary supplies, you'll want to give some thought to how you'll get them home. A sturdy and well-ventilated cat carrier is the best option as this will ensure your feline friend stays safe and secure on the journey to their forever home.
I highly recommend that once you have your kitten inside their carrier that you place this on the backseat of your car and fasten the seatbelt over it to prevent any movement while you're traveling.
While it can be tempting to place them on the front passenger seat, I don't advise this as many kittens will meow or claw at the carrier to communicate their displeasure at being confined, and this can end up being a distraction if you're constantly reaching over to try to soothe them. Placing a blanket over three sides of the carrier (making sure to leave space for air to get in) may help minimize motion sickness and help your kitty feel calmer.
9. Register them with a local vet
One of the first things you want to do once you've made the decision to adopt a kitten is to register them with a local vet. Once you've done that, you'll find your vet will be able to provide you with a wealth of information around neutering, kitten vaccinations, flea treatments, and microchipping.
We made more trips to the vet in the first year of Teddy's life than we would have liked due to her sustaining a nasty bite wound on her tail inflicted by a stray and unneutered male cat, so pet insurance is something you might also like to consider.
10. Introduce them to your home slowly
It can be tempting to let your kitten have unlimited access to their new home the minute they set their paws inside the door, but try to hold back if you can. It can be really overwhelming for kittens to have so much space so soon, especially when they're still adjusting to being without their mother and littermates.
I recommend having one room in your home set up for your kitten. Pop their food and water dishes in here, as well as their litter box, toys, and bed. We used the living room for Teddy, but you can use any room in your home that feels convenient.
After they've been in this room for a few days to a week, you'll probably notice there naturally comes a point where they're feeling ready to explore more of their surroundings. Once that confidence is there, you can grant them access to other parts of the home.
11. Be prepared for the kitten teething phase
Do kittens lose their teeth? You bet they do! Kittens have 26 milk teeth that are gradually lost and replaced by 30 deciduous teeth. While it's not an exact science, most kittens start to lose their baby teeth around three months of age and will have all their adult teeth in place by the time they reach seven or eight months.
As you can see, kitten teething isn't a quick process. It's very normal for kittens to want to chew everything in sight for a period of four or five months, and although some will swallow their baby teeth while they're eating, it's worth preparing yourself for the fact that you may find little kitten teeth on your floor!
Investing in a few of the best kitten teething toys can be a real lifesaver during this period, as it will stop your little fur friend from chewing on things they shouldn't – such as your shoelaces, which our Teddy was particularly fond of during her teething phase!
12. Provide them with play sessions each day to help them burn off energy
Kittens need around 16–20 hours of sleep in the first six months of their life, so expect your feline friend to spend a lot of time with their eyes closed. However, when they're not snoozing, they'll have energy they need to burn off, which is why regular play sessions are so important.
Kittens don't have the same attention span as adult cats, so shorter sessions are best for them. Aim for around 2–3 sessions a day of roughly 10 minutes each. Investing in a few interactive cat toys and playing with your friend rather than them playing independently can be a great way to start to build a bond with them.
Cat play time is always key, but it's especially vital if you have other pets in the home who are perhaps quite a bit older. Playing with your kitten gives their energy an appropriate outlet so they don't end up directing it towards the other animals in their new family. Trust me, this can really reduce the number of fights that break out!
Read next: 20 things I've learnt to consider before getting another pet and checklist for new cat owners
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis De Leaver.
Last updated in July 2025.
