What Do I Need When Bringing a New Kitten Home?

When you adopt a new kitten, you need to provide it with appropriate nutrition and supplies, depending on its age and condition. A young kitten requires love and care to grow up strong and well-socialized, along with items to ensure its safety and comfort. Purchase the items you will need before picking up your kitten from the shelter or breeder, so your kitten can quickly settle into its new home.

  1. Transportation

    • You need a cat carrier to transport your new kitten home. A kitten loose in the car can climb down to the driving pedals or jump on your shoulders, causing a driving hazard, according to the Doctors Foster and Smith website. Purchase a carrier spacious enough for the kitten to grow into so you can continue to use it later in the cat's life. If you plan to travel by plane in the future, get a carrier that is labeled as airline-approved. Line the carrier with towels or blankets, leave its door open and place it in the kitten's room so the kitten can use it as a safe place to snuggle.

    Kitten "Safe" Room

    • Before bringing the kitten home, set up its new room or space in your home. In a spare room or area sectioned off with baby gates, provide the kitten with food and water dishes. Give the kitten a litter box with low sides that the kitten can climb into. Use non-clumping litter for a kitten under 3 months to prevent it from ingesting clumping clay litter, which can cause an intestinal blockage, says the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Place a soft cat bed, plus blankets or towels for the kitten to sleep and cuddle on, in the room.

    Nutrition

    • Provide food for your kitten specifically formulated for its age. Kittens need two to three times the amount of energy of an adult cat; kitten food provides extra protein and calories to accommodate their nutritional needs, says the ASPCA. For a kitten under 8 weeks, obtain kitten milk replacement formula to feed it with a kitten nursing bottle. Once weaned, kittens over 8 weeks need you to feed them canned or dry kitten food until they are a year old. You can feed one or both of these foods according to the package recommendations.

    Behavior and Grooming

    • Provide your kitten with toys for it to play with to stay active and prevent boredom. Use interactive toys on wands or string to engage your kitten's attention and help it bond with you. Prevent the kitten from scratching your furniture by placing a scratching post covered in sisal rope, wood or cardboard in its room, recommends the Stanford Cat Network. Purchase a slicker brush to keep the kitten's coat free of loose hair and mats. Long- and medium-haired kittens need daily brushing. Obtain other grooming supplies, such as pet wipes, kitten shampoo, a cat toothbrush and toothpaste to use on your kitten to keep it clean and healthy.