A complete UK new kitten checklist: essentials to buy, how to kitten-proof your home, vet visits, microchipping rules and the first week at home.
Quick answer: before your kitten comes home, you'll need kitten food, food and water bowls, a litter tray, litter and scoop, a scratching post, a cosy bed, a secure cat carrier, a few toys and a soft brush. Register with a vet, book vaccinations and neutering, and make sure your kitten is microchipped. In England, microchipping is a legal requirement for cats by 20 weeks of age.
Bringing a new kitten home is exciting. A little preparation helps them settle quickly and safely. Use this UK checklist to make sure you have everything ready.
The essentials checklist
Feeding
- Good-quality complete kitten food (ideally the same food they've been eating, to begin with)
- Shallow food bowls and a separate water bowl, such as a ceramic cat dish
- Many cats prefer water placed away from their food. Some prefer a wide, shallow bowl.
Browse bowls and feeding.
Litter
- A litter tray with low sides that a kitten can easily climb into
- Litter: unscented clumping or a natural option. See our cat litter types guide.
- A litter scoop
- A litter mat to catch scattered litter
Shop litter and cleaning.
Sleeping and resting
- A soft, washable bed in a quiet spot. Covered beds like the felt cat cube feel safe and cosy.
- A soft fleece blanket
Scratching and climbing
- A sturdy scratching post, tall enough for a full stretch once grown
- A sisal scratching mat or cardboard scratcher
- Later, a cat tree. See how to choose a cat tree.
Starting early prevents furniture damage. Read how to stop your cat scratching the sofa.
Play
- Wand and feather toys, such as the feather tumbler toy
- Small balls, like the bell ball
- Soft kicker toys, such as the fabric fish
See our guide to the best cat toys for indoor cats.
Grooming
- A soft brush. The cat tongue brush is gentle enough for kittens.
- Getting your kitten used to gentle handling and brushing early makes grooming easier for life. See how to groom a cat at home.
Travel and safety
- A secure, sturdy cat carrier for the journey home and vet visits
- A breakaway (quick-release) collar, if you choose to use one, such as a cat collar with bell
Kitten-proofing your home
- Keep washing machine and tumble dryer doors closed, and check inside before use.
- Tidy away cables, hair ties, elastic bands, string and small objects.
- Remove toxic plants, especially lilies, which are extremely poisonous to cats.
- Keep toilet lids down, and close windows or fit screens.
- Store cleaning products, medicines and antifreeze securely.
Vet, microchip and insurance
- Register with a vet and book a health check in the first week.
- Vaccinations: kittens usually start their first vaccinations at around 8 to 9 weeks, with a second dose a few weeks later. Your vet will advise.
- Microchipping: in England, pet cats must be microchipped by 20 weeks old, with details kept up to date on a database.
- Neutering: many UK vets and cat charities recommend neutering at around 4 months.
- Flea and worm treatment: ask your vet for a schedule.
- Pet insurance: consider taking out cover early, before any conditions develop.
The first week at home
- Start your kitten in one quiet room with their bed, food, water, litter tray and toys.
- Let them explore the rest of the house gradually.
- Keep handling gentle and play sessions short and frequent.
- Introduce other pets slowly, using scent swapping first.
- Keep your kitten indoors until they are fully vaccinated, neutered and settled. Many vets suggest waiting until at least around 6 months old before letting them outside.
Frequently asked questions
When can a kitten leave its mother?
UK animal welfare organisations recommend that kittens stay with their mother until at least 8 weeks old, ideally 9 weeks or more.
Do I need to microchip my kitten?
Yes, in England it's a legal requirement for cats to be microchipped by 20 weeks old.
How many litter trays do I need?
A common guideline is one tray per cat plus one extra, placed in quiet spots away from food.
Shop cat supplies for your new kitten, with free UK delivery.