New kitten: your first 30 days, a checklist for Indian homes
Checked against 3 sources
The first 30 days are about safety, routine and a few firsts: kitten-proof the home — balconies most of all — set up a litter tray, and book a vet visit for worming, fleas and the vaccination plan12. A kitten should stay with her mother until at least 8 weeks old unless a vet says otherwise, and vaccinations usually start once the mother's protection fades, around 8 to 9 weeks12. Keep the first days calm, let her approach you, and agree one routine as a family.
- Balconies
- Never let a kitten onto a balcony — net or screen every gap she could slip through, netted-looking or not1
- Litter tray rule
- One tray per cat, plus one extra, with at least 3cm of litter, away from food and water1
- Don't rush the separation
- Stay with her mother until at least 8 weeks old, unless a vet recommends otherwise1
- First vet visit
- Worming, fleas and a vaccination plan; vaccines usually start around 8–9 weeks, once the mother's protection fades123
- Neutering
- Usually planned for around 4 months old1
The printable version of this guide is a free PDF. Get it at thapki.app/guides/new-kitten/first-30-days/
On this page
Before she arrives
Kitten-proof the home
- Balconies netted or screened — never let her onto one unsupervised, even briefly1
- Gaps behind appliances and washing machines blocked or checked1
- Lilies and other toxic plants moved out of the house1
- Loose wires and cords tucked out of reach1
- Cupboards and machines checked before closing — kittens hide and sleep in unexpected places1
The first vet visit
A kitten's own protection from her mother's first milk fades around 8 to 9 weeks old, which is usually when vaccinations start123. The same visit is when a vet checks for worms and fleas, and lays out the plan ahead, including neutering, usually planned for around 4 months old12. Expect a few more check-ups every 3 to 4 weeks until she's about 6 months old3.
See the usual kitten vaccination schedule for the pattern most vets follow; your own vet sets the exact dates for your kitten.
Don't separate her from her mother too early
If you're adopting a very young kitten, Cats Protection's rule is clear: don't separate a kitten from her mother before 8 weeks old, unless a vet recommends it — she's still learning from her mother1. If you've found a kitten with no mother around, see what to do in the first 24 hours instead — the steps are different.
Litter training basics
- One litter tray per cat, plus one spare, in a quiet spot away from her food and water1.
- At least 3cm of litter, scooped daily1.
- A full clean weekly, with a cat-safe cleaner — avoid phenol-based disinfectants, which can be harmful to cats1.
Let her settle in her own time
- Let her approach you, rather than picking her up right away1.
- Keep the first few days calm and quiet, and let her hide when she wants to1.
- Supervise children and any other pets closely, and don't force an introduction1.
Feeding, in brief
No cow's or goat's milk, ever — see why milk upsets a cat. A good-quality kitten food, fed several small meals a day, is what she actually needs.
One set of words for the family
- Kitten's name
- Who feeds her, and when
- Litter tray duty, and when it's cleaned
- Vet's name and phone
Get the printable checklist (PDF)
One A4 page for the fridge: the shopping list, kitten-proofing (balconies included), litter training, the first vet visit and the family's rules, in one place. Leave your Play Store Gmail and mobile number below and the download starts right away.
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Not fully clear yet
Official sources disagree or leave gaps on these. Confirm before you rely on them.
- Cats Protection writes for UK homes; the balcony risk this page highlights is especially relevant to Indian flats, but we found no Indian veterinary-college source confirming the same advice for Indian buildings specifically.
- We found no Indian-specific guidance on the best age to separate a kitten from a street mother; this page follows Cats Protection's 8-week minimum, which is written for planned litters, not a street or rescue situation.
Sources and how we check
Facts checked against the official sources below by Thapki. Written with AI help from the sources below, then checked line by line; the Thapki team reads and approves every page before it goes live. How we check
Next in New pet, adoption and breedsNew puppy: your first 30 days, a checklist for Indian homesFrom thapki.app/guides/new-kitten/first-30-days/ · facts last checked 5 Oct 2026. Guides share public information; they are not a substitute for your vet's advice.