New kitten checklist: buying, what you need and the law (UK)

• In England, a licensed pet seller can't sell a kitten under six months old unless it bred the kitten itself (Lucy's Law, since 6 April 2020), so buy direct from the breeder or adopt from a rescue centre (bringing home a rescue cat).
• See the kitten with its mother, where it was born, and check the mother is healthy and friendly.
• Kittens shouldn't leave their mother until they're at least eight to nine weeks old, says Cats Protection.
• Ask whether the kitten has been vaccinated, neutered and microchipped, and for the records.
• If it's microchipped, ask for the chip number and which database it's on, and have the record moved into your name. In England every pet cat must be microchipped by 20 weeks old, and some databases charge for a transfer: see what microchipping costs.
• Don't be rushed, don't buy from a video alone, and be wary of a seller who offers to post a pedigree certificate after you've paid. Cats Protection lists these as warning signs of a scam, and doesn't recommend buying kittens advertised on social media.

• Cats Protection says a kitten raised with its mother should stay with her until at least eight weeks old, so it can learn from her and feed independently.
• Kittens adopted from Cats Protection come health checked, vaccinated and microchipped, and neutered or with a voucher to get it done for free. Adopting an older cat instead? See bringing home a rescue cat.

• Complete kitten food (how much to feed works out the portions), and separate bowls for food and water
• A litter tray and litter, to go away from their food
• A bed, and a few places to hide
• A scratching post, and somewhere high to perch
• Toys, especially fishing-rod toys you play with together
• A sturdy cat carrier for trips to the vet
• A brush or comb

Set up a quiet room with a door you can close, with food and water, a litter tray away from the food, a bed, somewhere to hide and a scratching post. Let your kitten explore the rest of the house bit by bit once they're confident.

Kittens like to eat little and often: Cats Protection says to feed them at least four times a day, and to put their water away from their food.

• Keep lilies out of the house: Cats Protection says they're highly toxic to cats.
• Block gaps behind cupboards and appliances.
• Keep windows shut or screened, and the toilet lid down.
• Lock away medicines and cleaning products.
• Keep the washing machine and tumble dryer doors closed, and check inside before you switch them on.
• Never let a kitten onto a balcony, and keep hot drinks and loose cables out of reach.

1. First vaccinations at 8 to 9 weeks old, with another 3 to 4 weeks later. Your vet sets the exact plan.
2. Flea and worm treatment: ask your vet what suits your kitten's age and weight.
3. Neutering at around four months old, as Cats Protection recommends, to prevent unwanted kittens. Don't let your kitten outside until it's done.
4. Microchipped and registered by 20 weeks old. It's the law in England, and you must keep the details up to date. The other rules are in our guide to UK cat laws.

Cats Protection advises waiting until your kitten is settled, fully vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. Then let them out just before a mealtime, so you can call them back with food, and go outside with them. Our guide to letting a cat out for the first time has more.

A microchip is the most important ID, and in England it's the law. It can't fall off, and vets and rescue centres can scan it.

A collar is up to you, and our guide to cat collar safety covers the risks. If you use one, choose a quick-release collar that pops open if it catches on something, never an elastic one, and make sure you can fit two fingers underneath. Kittens grow fast, so check the fit often.

A light QR code cat tag on the collar means a neighbour who finds your kitten can scan it with their phone and reach you straight away, without a trip to the vet.

• The adoption or purchase paperwork
• The vaccination record
• The microchip number and which database it's on
• Your vet's details, and your insurance documents if you have insurance
• A few clear photos, updated as your kitten grows