New kitten checklist: what to buy
By the Toodle team · Updated · Prices checked daily
Here's what you'll need for your new kitten's first weeks, followed by kitten food, litter box gear, scratchers and toys in stock at the shops we work with.
The new kitten checklist
Kitten food
Wet and dry food made for kittens or all life stages. Ask what they've been eating and switch gradually.
Litter box, litter and scoop
A low-sided box is easiest for small kittens, plus a scoop and a mat to catch tracked litter.
Food and water bowls
Wide, shallow ceramic or steel dishes.
A scratcher
Give a kitten something to scratch from day one, and your furniture will thank you.
Toys
A wand toy for play sessions, plus small toys to bat around.
A cozy bed
Many kittens prefer a covered bed or a soft blanket somewhere warm.
A carrier
For the trip home and vet visits.
A vet appointment
Book a checkup for vaccines and a health check in the first week or two.
At a glance
We found 25 options in stock from 5 stores, from $3.91 to $299.00.
- Lowest-priced in Kitten food: Fussie Cat Market Fresh Grain Free Dry Kitten Food, $16.99 at Only Natural Pet
- Lowest-priced in Kitten treats: Tiki Cat Baby Soft & Chewy Mini Treats for Kittens, $6.99 at Only Natural Pet
- Lowest-priced in Litter box setup: Van Ness Cat Litter Pans, $5.37 at Only Natural Pet
- Lowest-priced in Scratchers: Kong Naturals Cat Scratchers, $5.71 at Only Natural Pet
- Lowest-priced in Toys: From the Field Freddy's Feather Cat Toy, $3.91 at Only Natural Pet
How we picked
- Food and treats made for kittens, litter boxes and scoops, scratchers and wand toys
- In stock with a current price
- Grouped by what they're for
Listed from the lowest price. Prices and stock come from each store and are checked through the day. We haven't tested these products ourselves; the facts come from each maker's listing. Stores may pay Toodle a commission; that never changes what's listed or the order. How Toodle makes money
Ask your vet about food and vaccines for your kitten.
Kitten food
1. Fussie Cat
Fussie Cat Market Fresh Grain Free Dry Kitten Food
Dry kitten food formulated with goat milk, offered in 3.5 lb and 10 lb bags.
- 2 sizes
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$16.99 at Only Natural Pet · 3.5 lbPrice checked 8 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
2. Open Farm
Open Farm Grain Free Rawmix Kitten Dry Food
Kitten kibble with a freeze-dried raw coating and pieces, made with chicken, turkey and salmon.
- 2 sizes
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$18.99 at Only Natural Pet · 2.25 lbPrice checked 12 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
3. Fromm
Fromm Kitten Gold Dry Cat Food
Dry food formulated for kittens, in 4 lb and 10 lb bags.
- 2 sizes
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$19.98 at Only Natural Pet · 4 lbPrice checked 12 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
4. Nulo
Nulo Pate with Shreds Wet Kitten Food 2.8 oz (Case of 12)
Wet kitten food combining pate and shreds in three recipes.
- 3 flavors
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$21.48 at Only Natural Pet · Chicken & Mackerel / 2.8 oz Case of 12Price checked 11 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
5. Tiki Cat
Tiki Cat Baby Pate Kitten Wet Cat Food
Soft pâté formulated for kittens aged four weeks and older.
- 5 flavors
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$21.48 at Only Natural Pet · Chicken & Salmon / 12 PackPrice checked 5 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
6. Orijen
Orijen Grain Free Wild Reserve Dry Kitten Food
Kitten kibble with freeze-dried morsels from Orijen’s Wild Reserve range, in a 3.5 lb bag.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$30.99 at Only Natural PetPrice checked 4 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
Kitten treats
7. Tiki Cat
Tiki Cat Baby Soft & Chewy Mini Treats for Kittens
Small, soft chicken treats made for kittens, in a 2 oz bag.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$6.99 at Only Natural PetPrice checked 3 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
Litter box setup
8. Van Ness
Van Ness Cat Litter Pans
An open plastic litter pan with a rim.
- Sizes Small to Medium
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$5.37 at Only Natural Pet · SmallPrice checked 4 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
9. Tuft + Paw
Litter Box Scoop
A litter scoop with a comfort-grip handle, rounded corners and wide slats.
- Free shipping over $49 at Tuft + Paw
$19.00 at Tuft + PawPrice checked 10 hours ago
Buy at Tuft + Paw
10. Messy Mutts
Messy Mutts Silicone Cat Litter Mat
A flexible silicone litter mat for catching tracked litter around the box.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$27.00 at Only Natural Pet · GreyPrice checked 4 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
11. Tuft + Paw
Cubby Litter Box
An open-top litter box with removable 8 in walls and semi-transparent sides.
- Free shipping over $49 at Tuft + Paw
$69.00 at Tuft + PawPrice checked 11 hours ago
Buy at Tuft + Paw
12. Tuft + Paw
Cove Litter Box
A litter box with removable walls, semi-transparent sides and a built-in scoop, dustpan and brush.
- Free shipping over $49 at Tuft + Paw
$199.00 at Tuft + PawPrice checked 11 hours ago
Buy at Tuft + Paw
13. Omlet
Omlet Maya Enclosed Cat Litter Box
A walk-in litter box built into a furniture-style cabinet.
- Free shipping over $100 at Omlet
$299.00 at OmletPrice checked within the hour
Buy at Omlet
Scratchers
14. KONG
Kong Naturals Cat Scratchers
A compact KONG scratcher with a textured surface for everyday scratching.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$5.71 at Only Natural PetPrice checked 6 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
15. FuzzYard
Record Cat Scratcher
A round cardboard cat scratcher printed like a vinyl record, in three designs.
- 3 colors
$21.99 at Doodle Doo Bakery · Kitty CentPrice checked 5 hours ago
Buy at Doodle Doo Bakery
16. The Cat Ladies
Wall Scratcher Pads
Sisal scratching mats printed with art, to hang on a wall or lay on the floor, so scratching goes somewhere other than the couch.
- 4 colors
- Ships free from The Cat Ladies
$24.99 at The Cat Ladies · Black and Yellow CatsPrice checked 7 hours ago
Buy at The Cat Ladies
17. Furrther
Furrther Art-Inspired Natural Sisal Cat Scratching Mats
Natural sisal scratching mats with artwork-inspired designs.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$26.99 at Only Natural Pet · Starry NightPrice checked 3 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
18. Scratch Lounge
Scratch Lounge Classic Double-Sided Cat Scratcher
A three-sided scratching lounge with reversible cardboard pads for scratching and resting.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$36.43 at Only Natural PetPrice checked 5 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
19. P.L.A.Y Pet Lifestyle and You
P.L.A.Y. The Arty Denim Cat Scratcher
A two-piece corrugated-paper scratcher that can be arranged together or used as separate scratching surfaces.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$87.78 at Only Natural PetPrice checked 6 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
Toys
20. From the Field
From the Field Freddy's Feather Cat Toy
A wooden wand with hemp twine and a feather lure.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$3.91 at Only Natural Pet · Freddy's Refill FeathersPrice checked 5 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
21. Go-Cat
Go-Cat Da Bird
A feather-lure wand for interactive chase play.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$3.95 at Only Natural Pet · Da Bird Fur Fun AttachmentPrice checked 6 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
22. Go-Cat
Go-Cat Cat Catcher
A mouse-lure wand toy with separately sold replacement lures.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$5.59 at Only Natural Pet · Cat Catcher Replacement MousePrice checked 5 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
23. CATWANT
CATWANT Replaceable Teaser Cat Toy with Bird Chirping Device
An extra-long wand with a bird chirper and interchangeable attachments.
- 2 sizes
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$12.90 at Only Natural Pet · Replacement Heads / Set A (4 Heads)Price checked 7 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
24. Giddy Kitty
Giddy Kitty Purrsuits Mouse Wand Cat Treat Toy
A wand with a mouse-shaped treat toy for shared chase-and-pounce play.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$14.99 at Only Natural PetPrice checked 9 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
25. Giddy Kitty
Giddy Kitty Purrsuits Dragonfly Tease Wand Cat Treat Toy Playset
A dragonfly wand playset with a treat-holding attachment for interactive play.
- Free shipping over $49 at Only Natural Pet
$19.99 at Only Natural PetPrice checked 9 hours ago
Buy at Only Natural Pet
Compare them side by side
Settling in
Start your kitten in one quiet room with their litter box, food, water and bed, then let them explore the rest of the home over a few days. Keep the litter box well away from food and water.
Kitten-proofing
Tie up blind cords, put away string, hair ties and small objects, and check houseplants: many, including lilies, are toxic to cats.
Questions
- What do I need for a new kitten?
- Kitten food, bowls, a litter box with litter and a scoop, a scratcher, toys, a bed, a carrier and a vet appointment.
- When can a kitten eat adult cat food?
- Usually around 12 months. Ask your vet, especially for large breeds that grow for longer.
- What litter box is best for a kitten?
- A low-sided open box that a small kitten can climb into easily.