New Kitten Checklist for South Africa
Quick answer: before your kitten arrives you need a litter box and litter, food and water bowls, kitten food, a bed, a few toys, a scratcher, a carrier, a brush and nail clippers, plus a vet appointment booked. Everything else can wait.
Before your kitten comes home
The essentials
- ☐ Litter box (low-sided for small kittens) and unscented clumping or pellet litter
- ☐ Litter mat to stop tracking
- ☐ Kitten food (ask the shelter or breeder what she’s eating now)
- ☐ Shallow food and water bowls, ideally whisker-friendly steel
- ☐ A cosy bed in a quiet corner, like the Breathable Cat-Ear Basket Bed
- ☐ A carrier for the trip home and vet visits, like the Foldable 3-Way Cat Carrier
- ☐ A scratcher (start good habits on day one)
- ☐ A few toys: a wand, small balls, a kicker
- ☐ Slicker brush and nail clipper
Or get most of it in one go with the New Kitten Bundle.
Book with your vet
- ☐ First check-up, vaccinations and deworming schedule
- ☐ Microchipping
- ☐ When to sterilise
- ☐ Flea and tick prevention suitable for kittens
Kitten-proof your home
- ☐ Tie up blind cords and hide charging cables
- ☐ Move toxic plants out of reach (lilies are especially dangerous to cats)
- ☐ Block gaps behind appliances and under cupboards
- ☐ Keep toilet lids, washing machines and tumble dryers closed
- ☐ Put away hair ties, string, elastic bands and needles
Week one: settling in
- Day 1–2: keep her in one quiet “safe room” with litter, food, water, bed and a scratcher.
- Day 2–4: short, gentle handling sessions; let her come to you.
- Day 3–7: open up more rooms gradually, supervised.
- All week: two or three short play sessions a day, ending with food.
- Start routines now: brief brushing and touching paws make grooming and nail trims easy later.
Introducing other pets
Go slowly. Swap bedding so they learn each other’s scent before meeting. Feed on either side of a closed door, then a gate. Keep first meetings short and supervised.
Kitten FAQs
When can a kitten leave its mother?
Usually from around 8–12 weeks; reputable shelters and breeders follow their vet’s advice.
How often should a kitten eat?
Kittens need several small meals a day. Follow your vet’s and the food’s guidance.
When can I start harness training?
Many kittens accept a harness from around 3–4 months with short, positive sessions. See our Escape-Proof Mesh Harness.
Get the printable version: join the Cat Lady Club. Related: Litter Training a Kitten in 7 Days · Harness Training a Kitten
