New kitten checklist: what do you need, and what does the first year cost?

What to buy before your kitten comes home

This list follows the shopping list on Cats Protection's new kitten page. For each item we give a lower and a higher example price from retailer product pages, checked on 21 October 2026. Cheaper and dearer versions exist; the point is to show what a sensible budget looks like.

For comparison, the PDSA puts set-up costs at about £366 (calculated in 2024, excluding the cat), and Battersea at £232.50, both including a microchip; Battersea's also includes a cat flap. Our kit list leaves out the microchip, which is in the vet costs below. Thinking about a microchip cat flap? See our microchip cat flap comparison, and for trays our litter tray guide.

Small extras

• Pets at Home kitten starter kit litter tray£5 at Pets at Home (checked 21 October 2026)Kitten-sized tray with liners and a scoop; 36.7 × 27.1 cm.View at Pets at HomeAd
• Pets at Home kitten collar£3.50 at Pets at Home (checked 21 October 2026)Quick-release clasp; the page says it may not release for kittens under 0.75 kg.View at Pets at HomeAd

What to feed a new kitten

Cats Protection lists kitten food first. Two everyday examples, with prices checked on 21 October 2026:

• PURINA ONE Junior chicken and whole grains, 750 g£5.49 at zooplus (checked 21 October 2026)Dry kitten food; 2.8 kg is £16.79.View at zooplusAd
• Felix Kitten As Good As It Looks, mixed selection in jelly, 12 × 85 g£4.99 at zooplus (checked 21 October 2026)Wet kitten food pouches; 24 × 85 g is £8.99.View at zooplusAd

How long a bag lasts depends on your kitten's age, weight and the food's feeding guide; use our cat food portion calculator, and compare brands on cost per day in our kitten food comparison.

How much does a kitten cost in the first year?

Then come the running costs. The PDSA's minimum is £79 a month (calculated in 2024, including insurance but not vet fees), Battersea puts a typical year at around £1,500 (updated 6 July 2026), and Cats Protection says over £1,000 a year. The PDSA's lifetime minimum is £11,400 to £13,600. Our cost of owning a cat guide works out food, litter and flea treatment month by month, and the cat vaccination cost and cat spaying cost guides compare more practices. Insurance does not cover routine care; see our kitten insurance guide.

When do kittens need vaccinations?

International Cat Care says the first course often starts at 8 to 9 weeks, with a second injection 3 to 4 weeks later; the PDSAsays usually at 9 and 12 weeks. Core vaccines are for all cats, including indoor-only cats. Feline leukaemia (FeLV) vaccination is valuable for cats that go outside, the PDSA says even just into the garden. Your vet will set the exact timing; if you are worried about your kitten's health, contact your vet.

When should a kitten be neutered and microchipped?

Cats Protection advises neutering at four months or younger, because female cats can become pregnant from about that age; its Kitten Neutering Database lists vets who neuter at four months. In England, owned cats must be microchipped and registered by 20 weeks, including cats that stay indoors (GOV.UK). Buying rather than adopting? GOV.UK says a responsible seller never sells a kitten under 8 weeks and lets you see it with its mother, and under Lucy's Law third-party sales of kittens under six months are unlawful in England.

The first week at home

• Set up a quiet sanctuary room with food, water, the litter tray, a bed and hiding places before the kitten arrives (Cats Protection).
• Kitten-proof the home: Cats Protection mentions removing lilies.
• Register with a vet and book the first check and vaccinations.
• Keep your kitten indoors until it is settled, fully vaccinated, neutered and microchipped (Cats Protection).
• Update the microchip database with your details if the kitten is already chipped.

Getting a dog as well, or instead? See our first-time dog owner guide. Bringing a kitten home near Bonfire Night or New Year? Our fireworks guide covers cats too. More on cats in our cat guides.