There’s nothing more exciting than bringing home a furry feline as your newest addition to the family. Whether introducing a new kitten to your home that was a stray or adopted from a local shelter, adjusting to a new space can be overwhelming for your new little bundle of joy.

Each kitten has their own personality — some cats might be more reserved than others and take time to warm up, while others are more well-adjusted and friendly. The latter is common for kittens that have spent time with a veterinarian or shelter, where friendly staff help them adjust to a new environment and interact with other playful pets until welcomed into a new loving home — that’s where you come in!

We’ve taken the time to put together this helpful guide to ease their transition when bringing a new kitten home.

Before bringing your new kitten home

Just like you would baby-proof your home, introducing a new kitten into your home requires some time and preparation. We suggest purchasing all your essential items and setting them up before the arrival of your new kitten. Let’s talk you through your shopping list!

Checklist: what you need for a kitten

Here’s your checklist of what you need for a kitten:

• Pet carrier — A pet carrier is the first thing you’ll need to pick up your new kitten. Kittens first warm up in enclosed spaces, so a cosy pet carrier is a must-have. Line your carrier with a pet blanket so your new pet can nuzzle up into a little ball and travel safe and sound to its new home. You can also pop in a little kitty treat to prompt your kitten into the pet carrier. Slide it into the carrier’s side so you don’t forget!
• Pet bed — Cats sleep all over the house, whether it’s on the couch or curled up next to you in bed. That said, a kitten should have a pet bed to associate with their smell and feel more at home.
• Pet bowls — Set up your pet bowl in a designated area of the home so your kitten can familiarise themselves with a routine. Depending on their diet, a 2-in-1 bowl is super handy to separate your kitten’s wet and dry food. Ensure they have drinking bowl(s) for water and milk. A self-pouring drinking bowl is an excellent investment to avoid topping up the bowl as frequently.
• Cat enclosure — A cat enclosure will become your cat’s best friend to help them warm up to its new environment. Particularly handy for stray cats becoming newly domesticated, you can set up the enclosure with your kitten’s food and drinking bowls, litter and cat bed, and slowly allow your kitten to explore as they become more docile.
• Kitten milk — Kitten milk is lactose-reduced and a great way to indulge your kitty’s love for milk without causing them an upset stomach. A popular choice is Whiskas Milk Plus — a natural source of calcium to strengthen your little one’s teeth and bones. Fortified with taurine, it also supports your kitten’s eye and vision development.
• Kitten food — A balanced, nutritious diet is essential for your kitten’s development. At MfM, our holistic approach to kitten food separates us from other pet food companies.
• Kitty litter, litter box, shovel and poop bags — A kitty litter is essential to establish your kitten’s routine.
• Kitty treats — Reward your little one for their good behaviour!
• Pet nail scissors — The last thing you want is scratched-up furniture or carpets, especially if you’re renting. Either take your pet for the occasional vet visit for a nail trim or invest in pet nail scissors of your own! Press down on the paw to extend the claw, and trim only the sharp tip.
• Cat toys — Kittens love to play! You can’t go wrong with some furry mice, wands or balls to toss around the house. Electronic toys are a handy addition for when you’re busy working.
• Cat tree with a scratching post — A cat tree is a safe space for your kitten to learn to climb and jump. The scratching post is essential for your kitten to shed its claws.

Your first vet appointment

During your first vet appointment, you can have your pet microchipped as a permanent form of identification and ensure they receive their vaccinations. Your vet will notify you of your kitten’s upcoming treatments.

Your kitten’s first day at home

Day one with your new kitten is exciting, but you don’t want to overwhelm the little one! Allow them to explore the kitten enclosure you’ve set up to better acclimate to the space. If you’re concerned about bringing your kitten home to a dog or another pet, allow them to sniff your kitten from a distance and monitor them to ensure its safety. Speak to your kitten in a kind voice, so they grow more comfortable with you and scratch them behind their ears as they warm up to you.

After a few days

Once your kitten has warmed up to its environment after a few days or so, open the enclosure’s zipper and allow your pet to explore its new environment. Use toys and treats to make it a game! Opening its pet carrier nearby will be a safe space for your kitten should they feel nervous.

Monitor your kitty litter for loose stools. Should this occur, pack a sample in a poop bag and book a vet appointment to have your vet inspect the matter and ensure your kitty is in good health.

After a month

After a month, your kitten should use their litter box and eat and drink as per their routine. An active and playful kitten is a healthy kitten. If your kitten misbehaves by scratching, chewing furniture or biting, nip these patterns in the bud pronto by directing your kitten to the cat scratcher or using no-scratch cat spray.

If you have more than one pet and your pets still haven’t warmed up to each other, don’t panic; this process can take time. Play with two cats together to encourage bonding. If either cat becomes aggressive during playtime, separate them temporarily.

How do I ensure my kitten is well socialised?

A kitten’s prime age for socialisation is two to twelve weeks, the period where they would typically still be with their mother and siblings. During this time, encourage your kitten to interact with guests to become more socially acclimated. Ensure you supervise your kitten with small children and show the children the correct way to carry a kitten.

MfM has what you need for your kitten’s checklist

At MfM, our in-house nutrition and food science team have 40 years of experience with animal nutrition and hypoallergenic, all-natural holistic diets. We source raw ingredients and packaging from Australian farmers and manufacturers, plus back our final products with rigorous testing. You can trust our kitten food is free from artificial substances, fumigation, artificial flavours, irradiation, fillers and GMOs.

Explore our blog to learn why it’s important to feed your kitten good quality food and a guide to feeding your kitten.