New Kitten Checklist: Your First 30 Days

Q: How do I litter train a kitten?

Most kittens train themselves. Place them in a clean, low-sided box after meals and naps, keep it spotless, and praise quietly. Avoid clumping clay for very young kittens who may taste it.

Furrly Cat Care › Kittens

Kittens

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Bringing home a kitten is pure joy — and a little overwhelming. The good news: kittens don't need much, just the right basics and a calm, gradual introduction. Here's exactly what to do, week by week, for the first 30 days.

Before they arrive: the supply list

Kitten food (same brand the breeder/shelter used, to avoid tummy upset)
Food and water bowls (shallow, wide — easier on whiskers)
A litter box with at least one low side, plus a soft, low-dust, unscented litter
A carrier, a cozy bed, and a scratching post
Safe toys (wand toys, balls) — skip anything with small parts or string they could swallow
Kitten-proofing: tuck away cords, secure blinds, remove toxic plants (lilies are deadly to cats), and close off tight gaps

Day 1: one room, no rush

Don't give a kitten the run of the whole house at once — it's terrifying. Set them up in one quiet room with food, water, bed, and litter box in separate corners. Sit on the floor, let them come to you, and keep it calm. A lot of hiding on day one is completely normal.

Week 1: vet visit + routines

Book a first vet check to confirm vaccinations, deworming, and overall health, and to plan the schedule ahead. At home, establish mealtimes and show your kitten the litter box after meals and naps — most take to it quickly by instinct. Keep the box scrupulously clean; kittens are quick to reject a dirty one.

Weeks 2–3: socialize and expand

This is the golden window for confidence. Handle your kitten gently every day — paws, ears, mouth — so vet visits and nail trims are easy later. Play often (wand toys are perfect), introduce new sounds and gentle visitors, and slowly open up more of the house, one room at a time.

Week 4: settle in and plan ahead

By now your kitten should feel at home. Talk to your vet about spay/neuter timing and microchipping, keep up the play-and-handle routine, and enjoy the zoomies. You've done the hard part.

🐾 Litter tip for kittens: choose a soft, ultra-low-dust, fragrance-free litter their lungs and paws will thank you for, and supervise early on. A plant-based tofu litter like Furrly skips the silica dust and perfumes that can bother little airways. If a curious kitten taste-tests a piece, food-grade plant fiber passes harmlessly — but redirect them, since it's litter, not a snack.

Frequently asked questions

How do I litter train a kitten?

Most kittens train themselves — place them in a clean, low-sided box after meals and naps, keep it spotless, and praise quietly. Avoid clumping clay for very young kittens who may taste it.

When should a kitten see the vet?

Within the first week of coming home, to confirm vaccinations and deworming and set a schedule. Go sooner if you see diarrhea, lethargy, or no appetite.