New kitten checklist: your first week, day by day
Kittens are tiny, curious, and a little overwhelming in the best way. The secret to a smooth first week is not getting everything perfect — it is keeping things calm, contained, and consistent while your kitten learns that home is safe. Here is a day-by-day plan.
Before they come home: the supply list
- A litter box and unscented litter (one box per cat, plus one spare is the classic rule)
- Kitten food — ideally the same brand they were already eating
- Food and water bowls, kept away from the litter box
- A secure carrier for the trip and future vet visits
- A scratching post to protect your furniture from day one
- Safe toys for solo and interactive play
- A cosy bed and a quiet “safe room” set up in advance
- A vet booked for an early check-up
Day 1 — the safe room
Do not give a new kitten the run of the house. Set up one quiet room with their litter box, food, water, bed, and a hiding spot, and let them settle there first. Sit on the floor and let them approach you — never force contact. Show them the litter box early; most kittens use it almost instinctively.
Place the litter box well away from food and water, and keep it in the same spot. Kittens learn fast, but a box that keeps moving — or sits next to the food — is the most common reason for accidents.
Days 2–3 — routine and litter training
Keep meals, play, and quiet time on a predictable rhythm. Gently place your kitten in the litter box after meals and naps until the habit sticks, and praise calmly when they use it. Begin short, gentle handling sessions so vet visits and grooming feel normal later.
Days 3–4 — the first vet visit
Book an early check-up even if your kitten seems perfectly healthy. Your vet will confirm weight, check for parasites and fleas, and set up the vaccination and worming schedule. Bring any paperwork from the breeder or shelter, and ask about microchipping and when to spay or neuter.
A simple early vaccination timeline
- 6–8 weeks: first core vaccinations (often started by the breeder or shelter)
- 10–12 weeks: second round
- 14–16 weeks: final kitten round
- Then: boosters as your vet advises, plus regular parasite control
Keep an indoor kitten indoors until their vaccinations are complete, and ask your vet when (and whether) outdoor access is safe for your situation. Many cats live happy, enriched lives entirely indoors.
Days 5–7 — feeding, play, and expanding their world
Feed kittens several small meals a day, sticking to their existing food and changing brands only gradually. Once they are confident in the safe room, open up the house one room at a time. Daily interactive play — a wand toy, a chase, a puzzle feeder — burns energy and builds your bond far better than leaving toys out alone.
Keep a record from day one
Kittens grow astonishingly fast. Writing down weight, vaccination dates, the first vet visit, and those early milestones makes future appointments easier — and gives you a keepsake of just how small they once were.
Frequently asked questions
How do I litter train a kitten?
Most kittens train themselves quickly. Keep the box clean, in a quiet fixed spot away from food, and place your kitten in it after meals and naps until the habit is set. Praise calmly; never punish accidents.
When should a new kitten see the vet?
Within the first few days of coming home, even if they seem healthy. The first visit confirms their health and weight and sets up vaccinations, worming, parasite control, and microchipping.
Should I keep my kitten in one room at first?
Yes. A single quiet “safe room” helps a kitten settle without being overwhelmed. Expand their access to the rest of the home gradually, one room at a time, as their confidence grows.
