Checklists Kitten
New kitten first-week checklist (India)
Kittens are small, fast and curious, so most of this week is about a safe base room, a clean litter tray, the right food and starting the vaccination and deworming plan. Tick items as you go; ticks stay in this browser only.
Kitten: first-week checklist
17 items
Before the kitten comes home
Cornell’s Feline Health Center advises that any new cat be checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible after coming home.
Source: Cornell: choosing and caring for your new cat. Checked 26 October 2026.
Cornell notes that kittens need low-sided boxes and that most cats prefer uncovered boxes, unscented finer litter, and a quiet spot separate from where they eat.
Source: Cornell: house soiling (litter boxes). Checked 26 October 2026.
Lilies can cause kidney failure in cats, and human medicines and dog flea treatments can be acutely toxic to cats.
Sources: FDA: lilies and cats; Cornell: common cat hazards. Checked 26 October 2026.
Day one
Cornell advises removing clumps and faeces daily and keeping the litter looking and smelling clean.
Source: Cornell: house soiling (litter boxes). Checked 26 October 2026.
Source: Cornell: choosing and caring for your new cat. Checked 26 October 2026.
Cornell says cats should always have fresh water and that milk is not generally recommended because many cats are lactose intolerant.
Source: Cornell: feeding your cat. Checked 26 October 2026.
Cornell warns against toys with strand-like parts such as string and feathers, which can come apart and be swallowed.
Source: Cornell: safe toys for cats. Checked 26 October 2026.
Rest of the first week
WSAVA advises core kitten doses every 2 to 4 weeks with the final dose at 16 weeks or older, rabies vaccine where rabies is endemic, and FeLV vaccine for young cats where FeLV is endemic.
Source: WSAVA vaccination guidelines 2024. Checked 26 October 2026.
Source: Cornell: choosing and caring for your new cat. Checked 26 October 2026.
Tropical guidelines advise treating kittens for roundworms from 3 weeks of age and every two weeks until 10 weeks, then regular deworming.
Source: TroCCAP feline worm guidelines (tropics). Checked 26 October 2026.
The FDA states acetaminophen (paracetamol) is fatal to cats, and Cornell warns dog flea treatments can be acutely toxic to cats.
Sources: FDA: pain relievers for pets; Cornell: common cat hazards. Checked 26 October 2026.
Cornell recommends regular brushing and nail trims, starting while the cat is young.
Source: Cornell: choosing and caring for your new cat. Checked 26 October 2026.
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Common first-week questions
Can I give my kitten milk?
Cornell’s Feline Health Center does not generally recommend milk, because many cats are lactose intolerant and can get digestive upsets. Fresh water should always be available.
Source: Cornell: feeding your cat. Checked 26 October 2026.
How many litter trays does one kitten need?
Cornell’s rule is one per cat plus one, so two for a single kitten, with low sides so a small kitten can climb in easily.
Source: Cornell: house soiling (litter boxes). Checked 26 October 2026.
Which vaccines will my kitten get?
WSAVA’s core vaccines for cats everywhere protect against feline parvovirus (panleukopenia), feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus-1. Rabies vaccine is core where rabies is endemic, and FeLV vaccine is core for cats under one year where FeLV is endemic. Your vet will advise on your kitten.
Source: WSAVA vaccination guidelines 2024. Checked 26 October 2026.
Things to have ready
Our essentials list explains what to check for each product type. A starting set for this pet:
Sources for this page
- Choosing and caring for your new cat, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Feline Health Center (updated May 2017). Checked 26 October 2026.
- House soiling, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Feline Health Center (updated January 2015). Checked 26 October 2026.
- Lovely lilies and curious cats: a dangerous combination, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (content current as of 16 September 2021). Checked 26 October 2026.
- Common cat hazards, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Feline Health Center. Checked 26 October 2026.
- Feeding your cat, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Feline Health Center (last updated 30 April 2026). Checked 26 October 2026.
- Safe toys and gifts, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Feline Health Center. Checked 26 October 2026.
- 2024 Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats, executive summary, World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Vaccination Guidelines Group (2024). Checked 26 October 2026.
- Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and control of feline endoparasites in the tropics, second edition, Tropical Council for Companion Animal Parasites (TroCCAP) (March 2019). Checked 26 October 2026.
- Get the facts about pain relievers for pets, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (content current as of 29 September 2022). Checked 26 October 2026.