Kittens bring so much joy to a home! We love their curious, playful, mischievous natures. If you’re ready to welcome a kitten into your home, it’s good to know a little bit about kitten care. You’ll also need to buy a few essential supplies, and find local, affordable veterinary care. Here’s a quick list of everything you need when you adopt a kitten.
What You Need to Know Before You Adopt a Kitten
Small kittens need to eat more often and get more sleep than grown cats. So don’t be surprised if your kitten suddenly konks out mid-pounce or if they need their dish filled five times a day.
Playtime is also very important for kittens, because it shapes their mental, social, and emotional development. These first few weeks and months will shape your cat’s behavior and wellbeing for the rest of their life, so spend as much time with your new kitten as possible.
Kittens need a lot of attention and affection in their earliest days, so plan to take some time off if you can. Being fully available will help your kitten feel more comfortable and bond with you sooner. Gentle handling and gradual exposure to new people, sounds, and experiences will help them adjust to your family and your home.
If your family already has pets, it may take a few days or even a few weeks for them to get used to each other. Take the introductions slowly, because you don’t know how your other pets might react. Keep your new kitten separated from your other pets and only allow contact under strict supervision.
Kitten-Proofing Your Home
Next, you’ll need to kitten-proof your home to provide a safe place for your new cat to explore, learn, and grow. Prepare a safe, contained space for when they first arrive. Once they get more used to the sounds and smells and begin to feel at ease, you can give them access to the whole house.
Take a good look around for small spaces a cat can get into where you can’t reach them, and consider blocking those openings. Move anything you don’t want broken to a safe place. Make sure toilets stay closed and garbage cans stay covered.
Then take another look. Electrical cords, hair ties, rubberbands, and other string-like objects can tempt kittens to bite and play, but they can be very dangerous. And many common houseplants can be toxic to cats, as well.
While it may be tempting to bring your kitten outside for fresh air, they’re much safer inside. You won’t have to worry about predators like hawks and coyotes, or about your kitten getting heatstroke from napping in the sun. But don’t worry! They can still soak up the sunshine and watch the birds and lizards outside if you give them a window perch.
What to Buy for a New Kitten: Shopping Checklist
- Food and water bowls
- Age-appropriate kitten food
- A litter box with low sides, so your kitten can get in and out easily
- Non-clumping, unscented cat litter (the softer the better; avoid crystal litter for kittens)
- A hard-sided cat carrier (for bringing them home or to the vet)
- A kitten-sized collar
- Scratching post (all cats need to scratch!)
- Cozy pet bed (they might prefer your hoodie, but every pet needs their own bed)
- Cat toys (get a variety so you can find out which type of play your cat likes best)
Your Kitten’s First Vet Visit
Of course you want your kitten to have a long and enjoyable life as your companion and friend. Kitten vaccinations are a great place to start!
The vaccine schedule for cats begins at 6-8 weeks, with boosters a few weeks later. The FVRCP vaccine protects kittens from feline herpes virus, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia, and FeLV (feline leukemia virus). Cats get their first rabies shot around at 3-4 months old.
During your kitten’s first visit, we’ll also talk about spaying or neutering. This procedure is typically done at 4-5 months old, although some pet shelters do it much earlier.
If you’re planning to adopt, or if the Cat Distribution System surprised you, bring your new kitten to East Valley Animal Hospital in Gilbert. We’ll make sure they’re healthy and answer all of your questions about caring for a kitten. Contact us to book an appointment today.
Photo by Tran Mau Tri Tam on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 09/29/2026.