PetQuick Answer
The new kitten checklist has four parts: buy the setup kit, kitten-proof a calm first space, book the first vet visit, and sort the money — including insuring while your kitten is young and healthy. Get the litter box and supplies in before the kitten arrives, make the first days quiet and safe, and put the grown-up decisions (vet, microchip, insurance) on the calendar. Here's the full run-through.
Before you bring the kitten home — the setup kit
Have these in place first:
- Litter box + litter — one per cat plus a spare, in quiet spots
- Carrier — for the ride home and every vet visit
- Food & water bowls, and the same food the shelter or breeder used
- Scratching post or cat tree (protects your furniture and the kitten's claws)
- Bed and a safe hiding spot to retreat to
- Wand toys and small chase toys for daily play
- Coat-appropriate brush; an ID tag if you'll use a collar
Assign who does what — and split the daily litter and play across the family — with our free Family Pet Care Planner.
Kitten-proof the space
Kittens climb, hide, and chew — a quick sweep prevents an emergency:
- Secure loose cords and blind pulls
- Put away string, thread, elastics, and hair ties — swallowed string is a surgical emergency
- Keep toxic plants, medications, and cleaners out of reach
- Block gaps behind and under appliances
- Start the kitten in one calm room, then open up the house as it settles
The first week
- Keep it quiet and predictable — let the kitten come to you.
- Show it the litter box, food, water, and scratching post early.
- Two short daily play sessions build a bond and burn energy.
- Book the first vet appointment for the coming days.
The first vet visit
- Full health check
- Core vaccine series and deworming
- Spay/neuter timing discussion
- Microchipping and registration
- Parasite prevention — yes, even for indoor cats
See kitten vaccination & first-year vet costs for what year one runs.
The money steps (don't skip these)
- Budget the running costs — food, litter, preventatives, routine vet care. See cost of owning a cat in Canada.
- Insure early. A kitten has no medical history, so it's the cheapest, most complete moment to get pet insurance — before conditions like urinary blockages or kidney disease can appear and be excluded as a pre-existing condition.
- Decide insurance vs. a dedicated emergency fund — or both. See is pet insurance worth it and cat insurance in Canada.
Keep going
New to all this? Read what you need before getting a cat for the full care-and-cost picture, give the kids age-appropriate chores, and browse the getting a pet in Canada hub.