Kitten Checklist UK: What Every New Owner Needs

Bringing home a kitten is like inviting chaos wrapped in fluff into your life — adorable, unpredictable, and likely to chew your phone charger.

Whether you’ve planned this for months or fell in love with a photo on a rescue site, the first few days can feel like a whirlwind.

If you’re a first-time kitten owner in the UK, this guide is for you.

As someone who’s bred Siamese and Orientals for over 25 years, judged hundreds of cats at shows, and worked as a feline behaviourist, I can tell you this: preparation makes the difference between calm and carnage. A well-prepared environment can set the tone for a positive experience, especially when introducing kittens to new surroundings and experiences. One element to consider in this preparation is the advantages of cat trees for kittens, which provide not only a space for climbing and play but also a safe retreat for when they need to recharge. Investing in the right resources can help mitigate stress and foster confidence in these young felines.

I’ve seen:

• Owners with three scratching posts… but no litter tray

• People using old cereal bowls as water dishes

• One chap trying to feed his kitten rice pudding

Let’s get you sorted the proper way.

The Ultimate New Kitten Shopping List (UK Edition)

This list covers everything you actually need. No fluff, no gimmicks.

1. Litter Tray and Litter

Why it matters: Hygiene, comfort, and preventing “surprises” on the carpet.

Choose:

• A shallow-sided, open tray for tiny kittens

• A tray big enough to turn and dig

• Clumping, unscented litter — unless your breeder says otherwise

You’ll also need:

• Litter scoop

• Litter mat

• Enzymatic cleaner (for any accidents)

2. Food and Water Bowls

Plastic = bad. It traps bacteria and can cause chin acne.

Go for:

• Ceramic or stainless steel

• Two food bowls (wet and dry)

• One water bowl, placed far from food and litter

Or try a cat water fountain — some kittens love running water.

Tip: Cats won’t drink where they eat or toilet. Would you?

3. Kitten-Specific Food

Don’t feed adult cat food. Kittens need more protein, fat, and calories.

Look for:

• Food labelled “complete”

• High meat content

• No artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives

Wet or dry?

• Wet = better hydration

• Dry = convenience and dental benefit

Tip: Stick to what the breeder or rescue used for the first week. Sudden changes = sudden litter tray drama.

4. Kitten Bed (Even If They Ignore It)

Your kitten will nap:

• In the laundry basket

• On your keyboard

• In the middle of the stairs

Still, give them a cosy base.

Try:

• Soft-sided beds with washable covers

• Cave-style beds for nervous kittens

• Or a fleece in a cardboard box

5. Carrier (Top-Loading Wins)

Use it for:

• Vet visits

• Safe travel

• Emergency evacuations

Avoid:

• Cardboard boxes

• Zip-up gym bags

• Shopping baskets

6. Scratching Post or Cat Tree

Scratching = natural instinct.

You need:

• One tall vertical post (kitten should be able to stretch fully)

• One horizontal scratcher

• Sisal rope or cardboard texture

Place them:
Near napping spots or favourite lounging areas.

7. Kitten Toys

Keep them entertained or suffer the consequences.

Start with:

• Wand toys

• Crinkle balls

• Kickers

• Puzzle feeders

• A tunnel or cardboard box

Avoid:

• String or ribbon

• Toys with small parts

• Dog-scented toys

Rotate weekly to keep interest up. Bored kittens become destructive.

8. Kitten-Proofing Supplies

Do a home sweep before your kitten arrives.

Checklist:

• Cover trailing wires

• Remove toxic plants (lilies are deadly)

• Pick up small swallowable items

• Block tight spaces — e.g. behind the washing machine

Tip: Get down to kitten height. What would you explore if you were tiny and nosy?

9. Cleaning and Safety Products

Be ready for accidents.

You’ll want:

• Enzymatic cleaner

• Kitten-safe disinfectant

• Lint roller (fur will be everywhere)

Also helpful:

• Baby gate or pen (for limiting space early on)

• Feliway plug-in diffuser (for calming)

10. Health & Grooming Basics

Start them young with grooming and handling.

Kit includes:

• Soft brush

• Nail clippers

• Flea comb

• Microchip paperwork

• Pet insurance documents

• Vet contact details + first appointment booked

You don’t want to be Googling vets during a crisis.

Optional But Useful Extras

• Feliway spray or diffuser
• Kitten harness (for outdoor training later)
• Pet camera for checking in while you're out

What You Don’t Need (Yet)

Save your money on these:

• Cat milk (unnecessary for weaned kittens)
• Fancy food with vague labels
• Robotic litter trays or auto-feeders
• Collars (wait until they’re older, and only use safety-release)

Final Thoughts from Ross

You don’t need to blow your budget.

But you do need to think like a kitten — curious, chaotic, comfort-seeking.

Get the basics right, and you’ll both enjoy the ride.

Want the Full Kitten Setup Plan?

Feeling like there’s still something you’ve missed?

That’s because this list is just the start.

Inside my eBook, Kitten Care for New Cat Owners, you’ll get the complete step-by-step setup, including:

• Printable checklists with tick boxes

• Room-by-room setup guides (yes, even the bathroom matters)

• Emergency contact log sheets

• “First Week Diary” pages to track food, litter, sleep and behaviour

• Extra tips I don’t share online — only in the book

This isn’t fluff. It’s 25+ years of real cat-rearing experience, condensed and made useful for everyday UK homes.

Get the full guide — because winging it rarely works with kittens.