New kitten checklist
Everything to do before the kitten arrives: kitten-proof the home, put together a starter kit and plan the first vet visit. So the adjustment goes smoothly.

[ ] Install screens on all windows
    Falling from windows is the #1 cause of death for indoor cats. A regular mosquito screen won't hold a cat's weight — get a reinforced "cat screen".
[ ] Remove cords, threads, rubber bands and small items
    String and rubber bands are a favorite toy — and a common cause of emergency surgery if swallowed, since thread can damage the intestine. Tuck cables away too.
[ ] Check houseplants against a toxic-plant list
    Lilies are lethal to cats even in tiny amounts — pollen on the fur gets licked off during grooming. Remove them from the home entirely, not just out of reach.
[ ] Litter box with the same litter used before
    Ask the breeder or shelter what litter they used — a sudden switch is a common reason kittens start going outside the box. Change the type gradually if you must.
[ ] Get into the habit of scooping the box daily
    Cats are picky about a clean box — a dirty one is a common reason for accidents outside it. Do a full litter change every 1–2 weeks depending on the type.
[ ] Food and water bowls away from the litter box
    Cats instinctively won't eat near their toilet — bowls right next to the box can make a kitten refuse food or start using a different spot.
[ ] Feed the familiar food, switch gradually
    Feed the same food as the breeder or shelter for the first week — the move is stressful enough for a kitten's stomach. Mix in a new food gradually.
[ ] Two scratching posts — right away
    One vertical (to stretch fully) and one horizontal. Set them up before the kitten discovers the couch and wallpaper — retraining is much harder than starting right.
[ ] Set up some vertical space
    A shelf, cat tree or a scratching post with a top perch. Cats feel safer above floor level — especially useful if there are kids or other pets in the house.
[ ] A hard-sided carrier
    Needed for the ride home and vet visits. Hard plastic holds its shape better if the kitten panics, and it's easier to clean after a stressful trip.
[ ] A cat house or bed
    It'll probably end up choosing a cardboard box anyway — but give it a proper hideout from day one, somewhere to retreat from new sounds and people.
[ ] A wand teaser toy
    The best toy for the money: it mimics hunting, burns off excess energy, and teaches the kitten not to bite hands, because the prey is on the stick, not your fingers.
[ ] Vet visit in the first days
    Checkup, vaccination plan, parasite treatment and a chat about spay/neuter timing — all in one visit, on your vet's advice.
[ ] Microchip and ID tag
    Worth it even for an indoor cat — kittens are experts at slipping out the door. The chip goes in at the same vet visit; put a tag on the harness for balcony time.
[ ] A quiet room for the first few days
    Don't scoop it up and parade it around the whole apartment right away. Give it one calm room with a litter box, food and a hiding spot — it'll come out on its own when ready.
[ ] Introduce other pets gradually
    The first days should happen through a closed door, by scent and sound. A face-to-face meeting comes only once both animals stay calm around each other's presence.
[ ] Explain the ground rules to kids
    No grabbing a sleeping kitten and no touching it while it's in the litter box — both provoke scratching and biting even from the friendliest kitten.
[ ] First nights: meowing is normal
    It's the kitten's first time alone, away from mom and littermates. Within a few nights, once it trusts the new home, the crying settles down on its own.
[ ] A brush suited to the coat type
    Long-haired cats need a slicker brush for tangles; short-haired ones do fine with a silicone grooming glove. Start young so it becomes routine, not a fight.
[ ] Nail clippers
    A scratching post doesn't fully replace nail trims. Clip every 2–3 weeks, easing the kitten in with short sessions and a treat afterward.
[ ] Save a 24-hour vet clinic number
    Find one now, not in a panic at 2 am. Kittens dehydrate and weaken fast — with poisoning or injury, hours can matter.

Checklist from Unload: https://unloads.me/c/new-kitten