How do you prepare your home for a new kitten?
Bringing home a kitten is exciting, and a little preparation makes the first days calmer for everyone. Kittens are curious and fast, so the goal is to make your home safe and give your kitten one quiet space to settle.
This checklist covers what to buy, what to put away and how to set up your first room.
Choose a quiet starter room
Start your kitten in one small room, such as a bathroom or spare bedroom, rather than the whole home. A smaller space feels safer and helps with litter box habits.
Put the litter box, food, water, bed and a few toys in the room. Open the door to the rest of the home gradually over the first days.
Buy the essentials
You will need a litter box and unscented clumping litter, food and water bowls, kitten food, a bed or blanket, a scratching post, toys and a carrier for the ride home and vet visits.
Ask your breeder what food and litter the kitten is used to and buy the same at first. Changing food suddenly can upset a kitten’s stomach.
Kitten-proof every room
Kittens chew, climb and squeeze into small spaces. Tie up or hide electrical cords, window blind cords and hair ties. Keep small items such as rubber bands and string out of reach.
Close toilet lids, secure windows and screens, and check that your washer and dryer are empty before you run them.
Remove toxic plants and foods
Many common plants are toxic to cats, including lilies, which can be deadly even in small amounts. Check every plant in your home against a trusted list and remove anything unsafe.
Keep human foods such as chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes and anything sweetened with xylitol away from your kitten, and store medicines and cleaning products securely.
Set up scratching and climbing
Cats scratch to stretch and mark territory. Provide a sturdy scratching post and place it near where your kitten sleeps and where the family spends time.
A stable cat tree or window perch gives your kitten somewhere to climb and watch the world, which is good enrichment for an indoor cat.
Find a vet before you need one
Book a first checkup within a few days of bringing your kitten home. Bring the health certificate and vaccination records you received from your breeder.
Ask your vet about parasite prevention, boosters and when to spay or neuter.
Plan the first day
Carry your kitten gently into the starter room, open the carrier and let the kitten come out in its own time. Sit quietly nearby and speak softly.
Keep visitors to a minimum for the first days. A calm start helps a British Shorthair settle quickly.
Common mistakes first-time kitten owners make
The most common mistake is giving a kitten the run of the house on the first day. A large, unfamiliar space is overwhelming and often leads to litter box accidents. Another is changing food suddenly, which can cause an upset stomach, or leaving small, swallowable items within reach.
New owners also forget to plan for a vet visit, to kitten-proof window screens, or to agree on household rules. Take a few minutes before pickup day to cover these points together.
If you take a kitten home from us, you are welcome to message with any question. We would much rather answer a small question than have you worry.
A simple timeline before pickup day
A week before pickup, buy supplies and set up the starter room. Ask your breeder which food and litter the kitten is used to and purchase those. Book a first vet appointment for the first few days after the kitten arrives.
In the last two days, kitten-proof each room, check window screens, hide cords and remove toxic plants. Agree on house rules with everyone in the family.
On pickup day, bring a carrier lined with a soft towel, keep the car quiet and head straight home. Having everything ready lets you spend the first hours with your kitten rather than rushing to the store.
Talk to LaziBlues
LaziBlues is a home cattery in Westchester County, New York. See the coats we raise on our kittens page, read more frequently asked questions, or contact us to ask about an upcoming litter. You can also call 914-421-0505.