A kitten discovers everything at once: a new place, new smells, new people. What you prepare before they arrive makes these first days much simpler, for them and for you. Here is the checklist, the hazards to make safe and a timeline of the first weeks.
Before welcoming them
In France, a kitten cannot be handed over before the age of eight weeks, and it must be identified by microchip or tattoo. Many vets even advise waiting a little longer, so that they benefit longer from their mother and siblings.
Ask the person giving you the kitten:
- what they eat, and how often;
- which litter they use;
- their health record, with the vaccinations and worming already done.
Keeping the same food and the same litter for the first weeks limits digestive upsets and accidents.
The equipment list
- A sturdy carrier, for the journey and vet visits.
- A low-sided litter tray, easy to step over, and the litter they know.
- Two bowls, one for water and one for food, in stainless steel or ceramic.
- Their usual food, suited to kittens.
- A scratching post, stable, from day one.
- A soft bed, with an edge to snuggle into.
- A few toys: balls, mice, and a feather wand to use with you.
- A soft brush, to get them used to brushing early.
Making the flat safe
A kitten climbs, nibbles and slips in everywhere. Walk round the home at their height.
- Windows and balconies: a net or sturdy insect screen before any opening.
- Electric cables: put them away or protect them with sleeves.
- Small objects: elastic bands, sewing thread, ribbons, ties. If swallowed, they can cause a blockage.
- Plants: some are toxic to cats. Lilies are particularly dangerous, even in small amounts. Check each plant with your vet.
- Cleaning products and medicines: in closed cupboards.
- Washing machine, tumble dryer, oven: keep the doors closed, and check they are not inside before starting a cycle.
- Toilet seat: always down.
The day they arrive
Prepare a single quiet room to begin with, such as a bedroom or an office, with litter tray, water, food, bed and a hiding place. A kitten soon feels lost in a big space.
- Put the carrier on the floor and open the door. Let them come out at their own pace.
- Show them the litter tray, without insisting.
- Stay in the room, seated, quietly. Let them come to you.
- Limit visits. Introductions to family and friends can wait a few days.
When they are at ease in this room, gradually open up the rest of the flat.
The first weeks
A stable routine
Meals at fixed times, regular play sessions, a quiet place to sleep. A kitten sleeps a lot: let them rest, and ask children not to wake them.
Getting them used to daily life
This is the time to gently get them used to what will be part of their life: being picked up, having their paws and ears touched, going into their carrier, hearing the vacuum cleaner from a distance. Reward every small step.
Playing hands-free
Do not play with your fingers or feet. What is amusing in a two-month-old kitten soon becomes painful in an adult cat. Always keep a toy between you and them.
If there is already an animal at home
Keep the kitten in their room for the first days, even if your cat or dog seems curious. Let them first sniff each other under the door, then swap their blankets. First meetings happen under your supervision, brief, with a high hiding place for the kitten. Your animal already in place keeps their meals, their spot and their moments with you: they will accept the newcomer better if they lose nothing. For a dog, follow the steps in the guide Getting a Cat and a Dog to Live Together.
The first vet visit
Make an appointment in the days after they arrive. The vet carries out a health check, draws up the schedule of vaccinations and worming, and talks to you about neutering. It is also the time to ask your questions about diet.
See the vet without delay if your kitten stops eating, has diarrhoea, vomits or seems low: at this age, their condition can worsen quickly.
To set up their litter tray well, read Where to Put the Litter Tray in a Flat.
In short
- Keep their usual food and litter at the start.
- Make windows, cables, small objects and plants safe before they arrive.
- Begin with a single room, then open up the rest.
- Play with a toy, never with your hands.
- Make an appointment with the vet in the first few days.