Getting ready for your first kitten: a plain checklist for Australian homes

Before the kitten comes home

Most kittens go to new homes at around eight to twelve weeks old. Before that day, set up one quiet room as their base: a laundry, spare room or bedroom with a door. A small space feels safer than a whole house at first.

The basic kit

You do not need much to start:

• Kitten food, ideally the same brand they have been eating, at least for the first week or two
• Shallow food and water bowls
• A litter tray with low sides, plus litter (more on that below)
• A bed or a box with a soft blanket, and somewhere to hide
• A scratching post or pad
• A few simple toys, like a wand toy and soft balls
• A secure carrier for vet visits
• A soft brush

Costs vary a lot by brand and store, so we have left out prices. A basic setup does not have to be expensive.

Kitten-proofing

Kittens climb, chew and squeeze into gaps. Have a look at your home from kitten height.

• Tie up or hide blind cords and electrical cables.
• Keep thread, hair ties, rubber bands and string out of reach. They can cause serious problems if swallowed.
• Check what plants you have. All parts of lilies, including the pollen and vase water, are extremely toxic to cats.
• Keep medicines, cleaning products and human food out of reach.
• Close the toilet lid, washing machine and dryer, and check them before use.
• Make sure windows have secure flyscreens.

Litter for little ones

Very young kittens often taste or eat litter while they learn. For that reason many vets suggest a non-clumping litter, such as paper pellets, for the first few months. Once your kitten is older and using the tray well, you can move to clumping litter if you prefer it.

Show your kitten the tray after meals and naps. Scoop it daily, and keep it away from their food.

Vet visits, vaccinations and microchipping

Book a vet check within the first week or so. Your vet will check your kitten over and plan their vaccinations, worming and flea treatment.

In Australia, core kitten vaccinations protect against feline enteritis (panleukopenia) and cat flu. Kittens usually have a course of shots a few weeks apart, then boosters. Your vet may also talk about other vaccines depending on your kitten's lifestyle. Australia is free of rabies, so cats here are not vaccinated for it.

Microchipping is required in most states and territories, and many councils also require registration. Rules differ, so check with your local council. Your vet can also talk with you about desexing, which is often done at around four to six months, and is a legal requirement in some areas.

Food

Feed a commercial kitten food labelled complete and balanced, following the guide on the pack and your vet's advice. Kittens usually need several small meals a day. Keep fresh water out at all times. Skip cow's milk, which can upset their stomach.

Warmth and comfort

Young kittens feel the cold. A comfortable room temperature of around 20 to 25°C suits most, with a cosy bed they can move to or away from. Keep them away from heaters they could get too close to.

Small cuts and scrapes

If your kitten gets a small scratch, gently rinse it with clean water or saline and keep an eye on it. Do not use hydrogen peroxide, which can damage healing tissue, or human antiseptics, some of which are not safe for cats. Call your vet for anything deep, bleeding, swollen or not healing.

The first few weeks

• Let your kitten explore at their own pace.
• Handle them gently for short spells each day, so they get used to paws, ears and the brush.
• Play a few times a day with toys, never with your hands.
• Introduce other pets slowly, starting with scent swaps and short visits through a gate or door.
• Keep them indoors, or in a secure outdoor enclosure, especially while they are young.

When to call the vet straight away

Call your vet or an emergency animal hospital if your kitten stops eating, has diarrhoea or vomiting that does not settle, seems very sleepy or weak, has trouble breathing, or you think they may have eaten something toxic.

This article is general information, not veterinary advice.