You’ve made the decision. You’re getting a kitten. Cue the excitement, the squeals, the Instagram scrolls full of cute jumpers and cat beds shaped like doughnuts. I’ve seen it time and time again — those first few days are a whirlwind of joy, nerves, and usually at least one panicked trip to Pets at Home because you forgot something vital. Like food. Or a litter tray.
So, let me help you avoid that late-night scramble.
This is your comprehensive, no-nonsense kitten checklist UK-style — based on over 25 years of raising, breeding and judging cats, and advising hundreds of new owners. I’ll walk you through what to buy, what to set up, and what to absolutely not bother with. Because spoiler alert — kittens don’t care how expensive the toy is if the cardboard box is better.
Before the Big Day: Prepare the Space
Your new kitten is about to leave everything familiar — their mum, their siblings, the only home they've ever known. What they need now is a quiet, calm environment where they can feel safe. Choose a small room, ideally one with a door, and set it up in advance.
Add a soft bed, low lighting, and a place to hide (a cardboard box with a blanket works). Keep things simple. The goal is to let them adjust gradually to their new life with you. Time and patience are just as important as the gear.
Kitten Essentials (UK Edition)
Now that your space is ready, it’s time to stock up. But don’t go overboard — you don’t need half the pet shop. Below, I’ve broken down the true kitten essentials for UK owners. These are the items I recommend over and over again to new owners: practical, safe, and actually used by real kittens.
Toileting
You’ll need a litter tray that’s shallow and open — not one of those fancy covered ones with flaps and swinging doors. Young kittens can be nervous or unsure, and enclosed trays can feel like a trap. Start simple.
Popular choices among UK owners include the Savic Nestor Junior, Catit Open Pan, or the Iris tray with a rim. Stick with the same litter the breeder used to avoid rejection. Most use unscented clumping litter or wood pellets.
Don’t forget the supporting cast: a litter scoop, a mat to catch bits on the way out, and a decent enzymatic cleaner for inevitable accidents.
Feeding
Start your kitten off with the same food they were used to. It’s one less change during an already stressful move. Gradually transition them to your preferred brand of complete kitten food over 7-10 days.
Some of the most trusted UK brands include Royal Canin Kitten, Lily’s Kitchen, Applaws, and James Wellbeloved. You’ll need two bowls — one for wet food and one for dry. Stainless steel or ceramic are best. A water bowl is essential, though a fountain can be a great upgrade.
Add in a puzzle feeder later on to enrich mealtimes and slow down greedy eaters.
Sleep & Comfort
Don’t be surprised if your kitten ignores their bed in favour of your laundry. Still, it’s worth offering a warm, cosy option. Donut beds, igloos, or even a fleece folded into a cardboard box can all work.
The key is warmth and a bit of privacy. Put the bed somewhere quiet, ideally in their safe zone for the first few nights.
Scratching & Climbing
Scratching isn’t bad behaviour — it’s instinctive. If you don’t provide options, your furniture will become one. A simple vertical scratching post wrapped in sisal is ideal. Add a horizontal one too for variety.
Position them where your kitten sleeps, plays, or where you already see scratching. A small cat tree with platforms is a bonus, especially if placed near a window for some bird-watching entertainment.
Toys & Enrichment
Play is vital for kittens. It burns off energy, helps prevent behavioural issues, and strengthens your bond. Start with a few safe, engaging toys: a wand teaser like Da Bird, a kicker toy, a tunnel, and some crinkle balls.
Rotate toys weekly to keep them exciting. Avoid anything with small parts that could come off, and skip string toys unless supervised. Laser pointers are only useful if they get to “catch” something at the end.
Cleaning & Grooming
You’ll need to clean up after your kitten. Keep a pet-safe disinfectant on hand, along with wipes or soft cloths for quick wipe-downs. If your kitten has long hair, introduce brushing early. A soft brush, nail clippers, and a flea comb form the core of your grooming kit.
Want to go the extra mile? A kitten toothbrush and paste can help prevent dental issues later. Start young and make it part of the routine.
Health & Vet Prep
Make sure you have all the documents your kitten came with: vaccination record, worming history, microchip details, and insurance paperwork. Microchipping is now required by 20 weeks in England.
Book your first vet appointment within a week of bringing them home. Register in advance, and bring any notes or paperwork from the breeder or rescue. A few treats and a soft blanket in the carrier can help turn that first vet trip into a more positive experience.
Setting Up the Safe Room
Give your kitten one quiet room to settle into. This helps them feel secure without being overwhelmed. Include the basics: bed, litter tray (placed far from food), feeding area, toys, and a scratching post.
Leave the carrier in the room with the door open. It gives them a familiar hiding place and makes future vet visits easier.
Check for hazards before they arrive. Remove trailing cables, toxic plants like lilies or aloe, fragile decorations, and block access to other pets until they’re ready for slow introductions.
Don’t worry if your kitten prefers your laundry basket. It’s warm, it smells like you, and it’s the law of kittens to sleep where they shouldn’t.
- Ross DavieS, GCCF Cat Judge
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many new owners try to buy everything kitten-sized. Resist the urge. Tiny bowls and beds are often outgrown in weeks. Go for items that offer a bit of growing room.
Another trap is filling the room with dozens of toys. It doesn’t help. Two or three good ones are better than twenty they won’t use. Keep it simple, especially in the early days.
Don’t place the litter tray on the other side of the house. Keep it nearby and easy to find. And always have spare food, litter, and cleaning supplies on hand.
I once helped a couple who had bought everything except actual food. Their kitten had to borrow ours for 24 hours. Double-check your shopping list before the big day.
Printable Kitten Checklist
Want something you can print and tick off? My eBook Kitten Care for New Cat Owners includes a full checklist, room setup diagram, daily tracker for the first week, vet visit log, and a microchip and insurance info sheet.
It’s the same checklist I’ve used with hundreds of new owners, and it works.
Want to skip the guesswork? Grab my eBook Kitten Care for New Cat Owners and get your printable checklist, setup guides, and first-week plan.
Kitten Care for New Cat Owners: The Smart, Caring Guide to Raising a Happy, Healthy Kitten
By Ross Davies – Certified Feline Behaviourist
This book is the step-by-step version of what he teaches in one-to-one guidance. It’s expert, reassuring, genuinely practical—and occasionally hilarious (because if you can’t laugh when your kitten pounces on your face at 4am, when can you?).
faq
A litter tray, kitten-safe food, feeding bowls, a soft bed, toys, and cleaning supplies.
Not at first. Start with an open tray to avoid access issues.
Yes. Scratching is instinctive. Without one, your furniture may suffer.
Yes. Leave it open in their safe room. It makes vet trips less stressful later.
Not ideal. Stay nearby if possible to help them settle and feel safe.
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