Short answer: before your new kitten or cat comes home, have the basics ready: food and water bowls, the food they're used to, a litter tray and litter, a carrier, a scratching post, a cosy bed, a few safe toys and a quiet "base room" where they can settle in. Kitten-proof that room, book a vet check, and give them time. Most cats need days or even weeks to feel at home.
Bringing a cat home is a quiet kind of joy, but it also comes with responsibility. When I brought Pancake and Marmalade home, everything changed in small but meaningful ways. They came from the same rescued litter, yet their personalities couldn't have been more different. Pancake was tiny, confident and endlessly curious. Marmalade was shy and uncertain, with a small underbite that made eating harder. Watching them settle in showed me just how much the right home setup matters.
Key takeaways
- Have the basics ready before day one: bowls, familiar food, litter tray, carrier, scratching post, bed, hiding spot and a few safe toys.
- Start your new cat in one quiet base room and open up the rest of the home gradually.
- Kitten-proof first: cables, string, toxic plants (especially lilies), tilted windows and appliance doors.
- Book a vet check in the first week or two and register the microchip in your name.
- Settling in can take days or weeks. Patience, routine and daily play build trust.
New kitten checklist: what you need before day one
The essentials
- food and water bowls (shallow and wide suits most cats)
- the same food they've been eating at the shelter or breeder, to avoid tummy upsets
- a litter tray, litter and a scoop (one tray per cat, plus one extra, is a common rule of thumb)
- a sturdy cat carrier for the journey home and vet visits
- a scratching post or mat, ideally tall and stable
- a soft bed or blanket, plus a hiding spot such as a felt cat cave or a cardboard box
- a few safe toys: something to chase, something to kick, something to carry
- a brush or comb
Nice to have
- a wand toy for daily play together
- a treat puzzle or snuffle mat
- a window perch
- a kicker toy for wrestling (kittens may not react to catnip until they're older, but they still love to kick)
Paperwork and appointments
- vaccination record and any health papers from the shelter or breeder
- a first vet check, and a chat about vaccinations, neutering and parasite treatment
- microchip registration in your name (in Germany, for example with TASSO or FINDEFIX)
- pet liability or health insurance, if you want it
Kitten-proofing your home
Kittens explore with their mouths and paws, and they get into places you'd never imagine. Before they arrive:
- tidy away cables, hair ties, rubber bands, string and thread
- check that your houseplants are safe for cats, and move any that aren't (lilies are especially dangerous)
- close toilet lids, washing machine and dryer doors, and check them before every use
- secure tilted windows (a common risk in Germany) and balconies with cat-safe nets or guards
- put cleaning products, medicines and essential oils out of reach
- block small gaps behind kitchen units and appliances
The same goes for toys: anything with string, elastic or feathers should be put away after play. Our guide are wool toys safe for cats? explains what to look for.
The first days at home
- Start with one room. Set up food, water, litter, a bed and a hiding place in a quiet room. Let your new cat explore the rest of the home gradually.
- Let them come to you. Sit nearby, talk softly, and let them approach in their own time. Shy cats like Marmalade need extra patience.
- Keep a routine. Regular mealtimes, playtimes and quiet times help cats feel safe.
- Play every day. Short sessions with a wand toy build confidence and trust.
- Watch the eating. If your cat has trouble eating, as Marmalade did with her underbite, try different bowl shapes or food textures and ask your vet for advice.
Herb-free kitten toys
Soft wool and cotton toys sized for small paws, without catnip or valerian.
Why two kittens can be better than one
If it's possible for you, adopting two kittens together can be wonderful for them. Pancake and Marmalade have never slept apart. They play together, explore together and communicate in ways that naturally support their development. A companion can help:
- reduce loneliness when you're out
- encourage natural play
- provide constant social contact
- build confidence, especially in shy kittens
A single cat can absolutely live a happy life, but a companion offers interaction that humans and toys alone can't fully replace.
Creating a comfortable, enriching home
Cats are very sensitive to their surroundings. A thoughtful setup helps them feel secure:
- quiet resting spots away from busy areas
- soft, cosy materials to curl up on
- places to hide and places to climb
- predictable routines
Play matters just as much. Cats use it to practise hunting, burn energy and stay mentally busy. Toys in different materials, like wool, cotton and jute, give them different textures to explore. If you'd like to go further, read our guide to signs of a bored cat and how to keep an indoor cat busy, or find the right first toys with how to choose a toy by play style.
A home shared with cats
Cats have a way of shaping the spaces they live in. They find the warm spots, the soft surfaces and the quiet corners, and those places quickly become part of your shared routine. Pancake and Marmalade still greet me at the door every day, a constant reminder of why a thoughtful, comfortable home matters.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to buy for a new kitten?
Bowls, the food they already eat, a litter tray and litter, a carrier, a scratching post, a bed with a hiding spot and a few safe toys. A wand toy and a treat puzzle are great extras.
How long does it take a new cat to settle in?
Some confident cats settle in a few days. Shy or older cats can take several weeks. Starting in one quiet room and keeping a routine helps.
Should I adopt one kitten or two?
Two kittens often keep each other company, play together and grow in confidence. One cat can be very happy too, especially an adult cat that prefers to be the only pet.
When should I take my new kitten to the vet?
Within the first week or two is a good idea, even if they seem healthy. Bring any papers from the shelter or breeder so your vet can plan vaccinations and treatments.
Can kittens have catnip?
It won't harm them, but most kittens under about three to six months don't react to it yet. Read more in our post on what catnip does to cats.
What toys are safe for kittens?
Toys that are sturdy, too big to swallow and without loose small parts. Put anything with string, elastic or feathers away after play, and check toys regularly for wear.
How do I kitten-proof my home?
Tidy away cables, hair ties and string, move toxic plants, close toilet lids and appliance doors, secure tilted windows and balconies, and block small gaps behind units.
This article is general information and not veterinary advice. Please speak to your vet about your cat's health.
