New Kitten Checklist: What You Need and What It Really Costs

Getting ready for a kitten costs about $131 to $349 for the must-have supplies, or $225 to $529 with the nice-to-haves, based on 58 store prices we checked on Oct 7, 2026. The first vet visits, vaccines, tests, microchip and spay or neuter add roughly $308 to $1,158, depending on where you live and the kind of clinic. All in, plan on about $439 to $1,686.

We priced 20 items at Walmart, PetSmart and Target, a budget and a mid-range example for each, at regular prices. Vet fees come from the published price lists of five clinic groups in eight states, plus the ASPCA’s estimates. Still choosing a kitten? See what age to adopt a kitten and how to spot a kitten scam.

Before the kitten comes home: the must-haves

International Cat Care advises starting a new kitten in one quiet room for the first few days or weeks, with its bowls, bed, litter box, toys and scratching post. Set that room up before pickup day.

A carrier

You need one on day one and for every vet visit. International Cat Care favors solid plastic carriers: easy to clean, secure, well ventilated, with a top half that comes off so the vet can examine your cat more easily. It advises against cardboard or cheap, flimsy plastic except for very short trips. At home, leave the carrier open in the kitten’s room with soft bedding inside, so it becomes a familiar hiding place.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): $19.97 to $42.95 at Walmart and PetSmart. A Petmate Top Load kennel was $19.97 and a Petmate Two Door Top Load $42.95 at Walmart; PetSmart’s Whisker City top-load models were $27.99 and $30.99. The 19-inch carriers we priced are rated for pets up to 10 pounds, the 22.5-inch Whisker City for up to 20.

Two litter boxes

The Cornell Feline Health Center rule is simple: “Keep as many litter boxes as cats in the house – plus one.” For one kitten, that’s two. Kittens need low sides they can climb over, say both Cornell and the AAHA/AAFP guidelines, written by vets for the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (now the Feline Veterinary Medical Association).

Start with open boxes. Cornell notes that a cover keeps odors in from the cat’s point of view, and International Cat Care says some cats feel vulnerable in a covered box with one way out.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): $4.86 to $15.99 per box: a Van Ness large pan with 5-inch sides at Walmart, or a Moderna low-entry pan (24 by 20 inches, 5-inch sides) at PetSmart. Two boxes: $9.72 to $31.98.

Litter and a scoop

Most cats prefer unscented, fine-textured litter about 1 to 2 inches deep, and clumps should come out daily, says Cornell. International Cat Care adds that litter preferences form early, so start with the litter your kitten knows; many cats like clumping litter because it’s easy to keep clean.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): unscented clumping clay litter cost $8.86 for 20 pounds (Special Kitty, Walmart) to $22.99 for 40 pounds (Dr. Elsey’s Ultra, PetSmart), or 44 to 57 cents a pound. Plant-based options: Feline Pine pellets, 20 pounds, $12.76 at Walmart; World’s Best corn litter, 15 pounds, $23.79 at PetSmart. Scoops ran from $1.99 (up&up plastic) to $14.69 (up&up metal), both at Target.

Kitten food

Kittens need food made for growth. The FDA explains that the AAFCO nutrient profiles behind pet food labels include one for growth and reproduction and one for adult maintenance, and that adult food has lower levels of some nutrients. Look for “complete and balanced” in the label’s nutritional adequacy statement, for a life stage that covers kittens.

For the first week or two, International Cat Care suggests feeding what the kitten already eats, so start with a small bag. The AAHA/AAFP guidelines note that food with more water, such as canned food, may raise a cat’s water intake. Ask your vet how much to feed.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): dry kitten food ran from $6.28 for 3.15 pounds of Purina Kitten Chow at Walmart (on Rollback for $5.64 that day) to $24.99 for 3.5 pounds of Hill’s Science Diet Kitten at PetSmart. A case of 24 three-ounce cans of Fancy Feast Kitten was $22.86 at both Walmart and PetSmart, about 95 cents a can; 24 cans of Purina Pro Plan Kitten were $47.04 at Walmart, about $1.96 a can.

Food and water bowls

International Cat Care recommends wide, shallow bowls and says most cats prefer glass or ceramic. Skip double feeders: cats like to drink away from where they eat. Put the water a few feet from the food, and both well away from the litter box.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): a pair cost $6.28 at Walmart (a $2.34 steel bowl and a $3.94 steel saucer) to $18.98 at PetSmart (a $7.99 ceramic saucer and a $10.99 ceramic bowl).

A scratching post

Kittens start scratching at about 5 weeks, to keep their claws in shape, stretch and leave scent marks, according to International Cat Care. Pick a sturdy post, since cats may avoid light ones that move. An adult cat needs one as tall as its full stretch on its hind legs, so a short kitten post will need replacing later. Some kittens prefer soft cardboard scratchers at first.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): $21.99 for a 21.75-inch Whisker City post at PetSmart and $23.66 for a 25-inch Vibrant Life post at Walmart, up to $54.99 for a 28-inch Whisker City post at PetSmart (on sale for $37.49 that day).

Toys

Play is an outlet for a kitten’s energy and hunting instincts. The AAHA/AAFP guidelines warn against using your hands or feet as toys, because the kitten learns that biting and scratching people is part of play. A wand toy keeps your hands out of reach. Put string toys away afterward: International Cat Care says to use them only under supervision.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): wand toys were $4.46 (Vibrant Life, Walmart) to $7.99 (Whisker City retractable wand, PetSmart). Multipacks were $5.94 for 24 pieces (Vibrant Life, Walmart) to $14.99 for 23 pieces (Whisker City, PetSmart).

A bed or hiding place

Cats like warm beds and places to hide, and they feel safer up high, says International Cat Care. For a new kitten it suggests a cardboard box on its side with a thick fleece blanket inside.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): $11.12 (Vibrant Life 17-inch cuddler, Walmart) to $34.99 for small donut beds (Best Friends by Sheri at Walmart, Whisker City at PetSmart).

An enzyme cleaner

Cats tend to go again where they smell their own scent. Cornell’s advice: clean accidents soon, and neutralize the odor rather than cover it up. Avoid cleaners with ammonia or vinegar, which smell like urine to a cat. Enzyme cleaners are sold for this job.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): 32 ounces cost $11.99 (Nature’s Miracle Cat, Walmart) to $31.99 (Rocco & Roxie Extreme, PetSmart).

Nice to have, or needed later

A bigger litter box

The AAHA/AAFP guidelines suggest a box at least one and a half times your cat’s length, nose to tail tip, and note that most boxes sold are smaller; a large storage container is one way to get there. When your kitten can step over higher sides easily, swap one small box for a big one.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): $15.99 (ExquisiCat Large, 23 by 17 inches) to $24.99 (ExquisiCat X-Large, 24 by 18 inches), both open, high-sided boxes at PetSmart.

A brush or comb

Handy for grooming, and a fine-toothed flea comb lets you check for fleas.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): $4.68 (Vibrant Life flea comb, Walmart) to $16.99 (Whisker City two-sided brush, PetSmart).

Nail clippers

Claw care is one of the topics the AAHA/AAFP guidelines list for an early vet visit, so ask the vet team to show you how. Trimming doesn’t replace a scratching post, says International Cat Care.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): $4.72 (Vibrant Life, Walmart) to $12.99 (Whisker City, PetSmart).

A breakaway collar and ID tag

A microchip is the safest permanent ID, says International Cat Care. If you add a collar, choose one with a snap-open buckle that releases if the cat gets caught, never one with an elastic section, and fit it so only one or two fingers slide underneath. Check that the smallest setting fits your kitten: the Vibrant Life collar we priced is listed for necks of 8.5 to 14 inches.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): collars were $3.72 (Vibrant Life, Walmart) to $7.99 (Whisker City, PetSmart). Engraved TagWorks tags were $13.99 at PetSmart (Walmart.com’s tags were all from third-party sellers, so we left them out).

A small cat tree

Cats need high places to retreat to, International Cat Care says. A small tree adds height and a scratching surface in one.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): $24.12 for a 26.7-inch Vibrant Life tower at Walmart to $69.99 for a 29.5-inch Whisker City tree at PetSmart (on sale for $34.99 that day).

A water fountain

Optional. A wide bowl of fresh water does the job, and a fountain’s filters and cleaning are an ongoing chore and cost.

Price check (Oct 7, 2026): the PetSafe Viva (64 ounces) was $25.97 at Walmart and $29.99 at PetSmart; the Catit Flower Fountain (3 liters) was $32.99 at PetSmart.

What you can skip

• Self-cleaning litter boxes. International Cat Care says their movements and noises can startle cats, and many are small.
• Litter box liners and scented litter. Claws catch in liners, and strong scents can put cats off the box (International Cat Care; Cornell).
• Double feeders, for the reason above.
• Collars with elastic. International Cat Care says it would never recommend one.

What it all costs

Regular prices on Oct 7, 2026. “Budget” is the cheapest in-stock price we found for each item; “mid-range” is the higher of our mid-priced examples.

Item	Budget	Mid-range
Carrier	$19.97	$42.95
Litter boxes (2)	$9.72	$31.98
Litter (one bag)	$8.86	$22.99
Litter scoop	$1.99	$14.69
Dry kitten food	$6.28	$24.99
Wet food (24 cans)	$22.86	$47.04
Bowls (2)	$6.28	$18.98
Scratching post	$21.99	$54.99
Wand toy	$4.46	$7.99
Toy multipack	$5.94	$14.99
Bed	$11.12	$34.99
Enzyme cleaner	$11.99	$31.99
Must-haves	$131.46	$348.57
Bigger litter box	$15.99	$24.99
Brush or comb	$4.68	$16.99
Nail clippers	$4.72	$12.99
Breakaway collar	$3.72	$7.99
ID tag	$13.99	$13.99
Small cat tree	$24.12	$69.99
Water fountain	$25.97	$32.99
Nice to have	$93.19	$179.93
All supplies	$224.65	$528.50

Many PetSmart items were on sale that day, some at half price, so a patient shopper can pay less.

First vet visit and vaccines

Book a vet visit soon after your kitten comes home, and take any records from the shelter or breeder.

What to expect

• An exam. In kittens, the AAHA/AAFP guidelines say, the vet looks especially for problems present from birth, such as a heart murmur, a hernia or a cleft palate, and checks the mouth and teeth.
• FeLV and FIV tests. The AAFP’s retrovirus guidelines say to test a cat for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus as soon as possible after you get it, and before an FeLV vaccine.
• Parasite checks. The AAHA/AAFP guidelines call for routine deworming and fecal tests, at intervals your vet sets.
• A plan for the vaccine visits, microchip, claw care and spay or neuter.

The vaccine series

Under the 2020 AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines, core vaccines for pet cats cover feline herpesvirus, calicivirus and panleukopenia (combined in the FVRCP shot), rabies, and, for cats under 1 year, feline leukemia (FeLV). The FVRCP series starts no earlier than 6 weeks and repeats every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 to 20 weeks of age. FeLV is two shots 3 to 4 weeks apart, after a negative test. Rabies follows the vaccine label and local law. For FVRCP, the guidelines suggest considering a booster at 6 months instead of 1 year. For a kitten adopted at 8 weeks, that can mean three or four vaccine visits a few weeks apart, then the 6-month visit.

Spay or neuter, and a microchip

The AAFP supports spaying or neutering cats not meant for breeding by 5 months of age, and notes that cats can breed as early as 4 to 5 months. Your vet decides the exact timing. On ID, the AAHA/AAFP life stage guidelines are direct: “All cats should be microchipped for permanent identification.” Keep the contact details on the chip’s registry up to date (International Cat Care).

What the first vet care costs

Published prices, checked Oct 7, 2026. Where a list shows its own date, it’s in the Sources list below; some are older than 2026.

Service	Range we found	Lowest to highest
Exam (per visit)	$20 to $95.95	Emancipet to Banfield, San Diego
FVRCP shot	$15 to $46	Humane Society of Sonoma County to Skaer Veterinary Clinic
Rabies shot	$15 to $46	Sonoma County to Skaer
FeLV shot	$17 to $40.86	Emancipet to Banfield, San Diego
FeLV/FIV test	$20 to $55	Emancipet to Animal Welfare Society
Fecal test	$15 to $88	Emancipet to Skaer
Deworming	$10 to $25	Emancipet to Animal Welfare Society
Microchip	$20 to $67	Emancipet to Skaer
Spay or neuter	$89 to $368.95	Emancipet to Banfield, San Diego (spay)

For a typical first round (three exam visits, three FVRCP shots, one rabies shot, two FeLV shots, an FeLV/FIV test, a fecal test, deworming, a microchip and a spay or neuter), the lowest prices on these lists add up to $308 and the highest to $1,158. No single clinic charges all the highs. Two real examples:

• At Emancipet, a nonprofit low-cost clinic group in Texas and Philadelphia, the whole list came to $316, including its $20 fee per visit and an $89 spay or neuter.
• At five Banfield Pet Hospital locations, the exams, shots and surgery alone came to $612 (Gainesville, Fla., neuter) to $884 (San Diego, spay), before tests, deworming and a microchip. Banfield requires an office visit fee for every service, vaccines included: $67.95 in Gainesville to $95.95 in San Diego.

For comparison, the ASPCA’s 2021 estimates for a new cat are $175 for first vaccines and other initial medical costs, $150 for spay or neuter and $20 for a microchip, or $345 in all.

Vet prices vary a lot by region and clinic. Low-cost clinics run by shelters and nonprofits charge far less, though some limit appointments or set prices by income. Surgery prices also bundle different extras, such as a microchip (Sonoma County) or bloodwork and IV fluids (Banfield). If your kitten comes from a shelter or a breeder, ask which shots, tests and surgery are already done; those come off your bill.

Kitten-proofing your home

Before the kitten explores past its first room, check the house at kitten height. From International Cat Care’s checklist:

• Block fireplaces and small gaps. Kittens can squeeze into very small spaces.
• Tidy away or cover exposed cables.
• Lock up medicines and cleaning products. The ASPCA lists poisonous household products.
• Clear breakables off shelves and windowsills, and keep windows closed.
• Avoid rooms with full-length curtains at first; kittens climb them.
• Put string toys away after play.
• Check every houseplant against the ASPCA’s toxic and non-toxic plant list for cats.

Keep lilies out of the house. The FDA warns that a nibble of a true lily or daylily, a lick of its pollen or a drink of vase water can cause fatal kidney failure in a cat in less than three days. If you think your kitten has eaten something toxic, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, open 24 hours a day; a consultation fee may apply.

How we got these prices

• We collected 58 prices for 20 items from the public product pages of Walmart (23 prices), PetSmart (33) and Target (2) on Oct 7, 2026, without logging in or entering a ZIP code. Walmart showed its default location, Sacramento, Calif.
• Where a page showed a sale or Rollback price, we used the regular price and noted the sale. We ignored coupon codes, Autoship discounts and shipping.
• We counted only items in stock and sold by the retailer itself, not by marketplace sellers.
• Chewy and Petco blocked automated access, Target stopped showing prices after a few pages, and Amazon showed a non-US delivery location, so none of their prices are in our data.
• Litter in the totals is clumping clay; the litter boxes and bowls each count twice.
• Vet fees come from the published price lists of five clinic groups, listed under Sources, and the ASPCA’s 2021 estimates. Some lists were last updated before 2026.
• We didn’t buy, handle or test any product. Brand names show a price point; they aren’t recommendations.
• Prices change often. We re-check them about every 60 days.

FAQ

Do I really need two litter boxes for one kitten?

Cornell and the AAHA/AAFP guidelines both say one box per cat, plus one. Two basic low-sided boxes cost $9.72 at Walmart in our price check.

What’s the cheapest way to get ready?

Buy budget must-haves (about $131 in our check), use a cardboard box and a blanket as the bed, skip the fountain and cat tree for now, and ask local shelters about low-cost vet clinics. At Emancipet’s prices, the first round of vet care was $316.