Updated 29 May 2026
Congratulations on your new kitten! Your new four-legged family member is bound to bring you so much joy. In between the fun and games, you also need to make time for life admin to help set you up for success in looking after a kitten.
Don’t forget to do the following when you get your kitten.
Buy all the kitten essentials you need for looking after a kitten
Chances are, you got all your kitten supplies before your new family member arrived home. But if you forgot one or two things, now is the time to buy them.
Check out our Kitten Care Essentials Checklist to make sure you haven’t forgotten any vital supplies!
Joint the Petbarn Puppy and Kitten Club
The Petbarn Puppy and Kitten Club is a free club that’s exclusive for puppy and kitten owners. Club members receive:
- Tailored advice to help you through the first year of kitten ownership
- Discount vouchers, including some discounts on health care
- A free welcome bag
Book your kitten’s first health check at Greencross vets
Within the first few weeks of coming home, take your kitten to Greencross Vets for a health check. Your vet will perform a full examination of your kitten to make sure they’re in good health and provide advice on vaccinations, nutrition, parasite control, microchipping and any other questions you might have.
Know which parasites threats exist in your area
It’s important you know what parasites you need to protect your kitten against. Use PetWatch to check the parasite threat level of your suburb.
Set up parasite prevention reminders in the Petbarn App
Never forget when your kitten is due for flea, tick, or worm prevention with the Petbarn App’s parasite control reminders.
Remember to check your notification settings to allow alerts from the Petbarn App.
Note your nearest 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital
Pet emergencies can happen at any time. Know your nearest 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital so if your kitten ever has a medical emergency, you know exactly where to go.
Check your local council’s cat registration requirements
Some councils require cat owners to register their cats, especially if you have multiple cats. Make sure you check your local council’s requirements and regulations for cat ownership.
About the Author
Rebecca Daly BVScVeterinarian & Content Writer
After graduating with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Queensland in 2017, Rebecca spent two years working as an equine veterinarian in New Zealand. Upon returning to Australia, she completed a Bachelor of Communications from UQ in 2023. Rebecca is passionate about educating pet parents so they can provide the best lives for their pets. She is the pet parent of a cat named Edith, a domestic short hair adopted from a Petbarn Adoption Centre.
