Bringing a new pet home is one of life's most exciting moments — and one of the most overwhelming if you're not prepared. The first few days set the tone for your pet's adjustment, your routine, and the bond you'll build together. Getting the essentials in place before your pet arrives makes everything smoother, calmer, and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
This checklist covers cats, dogs, rabbits, and small pets — with everything you need to have ready before day one.
🐱 New Cat Owner Checklist
Housing & Space
- ☐ Cat enclosure or designated safe room — New cats need a small, quiet space to decompress before being introduced to the whole home. A cat enclosure or a single room with the door closed is ideal for the first 1–2 weeks.
- ☐ Cat bed or sleeping area — Enclosed, covered beds are preferred by most cats. Place in a quiet, draft-free location.
- ☐ Scratching post — Essential from day one. Position near sleeping and resting areas where cats naturally scratch after waking.
- ☐ Cat tree or climbing structure — Vertical space is important for cats' sense of security and territory.
Food & Water
- ☐ Food bowls — Ceramic or stainless steel; wide and shallow to avoid whisker fatigue
- ☐ Water bowl or fountain — Cats drink more from moving water; a fountain is worth considering
- ☐ Age-appropriate food — Kitten food for cats under 12 months; adult food for older cats. Ask the breeder or shelter what food the cat is currently eating and transition gradually.
Litter & Hygiene
- ☐ Litter tray — One per cat plus one extra. Large enough for the cat to turn around comfortably.
- ☐ Litter — Unscented clumping litter is preferred by most cats. Match what the cat was using previously if possible.
- ☐ Litter scoop
- ☐ Pet-safe litter mat — Catches scatter around the tray
Health & Safety
- ☐ Vet appointment booked — Within the first week. Bring any health records from the breeder or shelter.
- ☐ Carrier — For vet visits and travel. Leave it out with bedding inside so the cat becomes comfortable with it before they need to use it.
- ☐ ID tag and microchip — Even indoor cats should be microchipped in case of escape.
- ☐ Pet insurance — Research and set up before you need it.
- ☐ Home cat-proofed — Cables secured, toxic plants removed, small gaps blocked.
Enrichment
- ☐ Wand toy — For interactive play sessions (minimum 2 x 15 minutes daily)
- ☐ 2–3 independent toys — Crinkle balls, toy mice, puzzle feeders
- ☐ Hiding spots — Cardboard boxes, covered beds, or a cat tunnel
Outdoor Access (Optional)
- ☐ Cat enclosure or catio — If you plan to give your cat outdoor access, set this up before they arrive so it's ready when they're settled.
🐾 The Coziwow 39"L Wooden Outdoor Cat Catio ($162.99–$169.99) is the ideal first catio — compact, multi-level, and easy to assemble. Set it up before your cat arrives so it's part of their environment from day one.
🐕 New Dog Owner Checklist
Housing & Space
- ☐ Dog crate — Essential for housetraining and providing a safe den. Set up before the dog arrives with comfortable bedding inside.
- ☐ Dog bed — Orthopedic or memory foam for large breeds; any comfortable washable bed for smaller dogs.
- ☐ Baby gates — To restrict access to certain rooms during the settling-in period.
- ☐ Outdoor dog house — If your dog will spend time in the garden, a weatherproof shelter is essential.
🐾 The Coziwow 59"L Insulated Dog House with Feeding Bowl ($245.99–$249.99) is ready for year-round outdoor use from day one — insulated, weatherproof, and large enough for most breeds up to 120 lbs.
Food & Water
- ☐ Food and water bowls — Stainless steel or ceramic; elevated for large breeds
- ☐ Age-appropriate food — Puppy food for dogs under 12 months; adult food for older dogs. Match the current food and transition gradually over 7–10 days.
- ☐ Treats — For training and positive reinforcement. Small, soft treats work best for training.
Training & Behavior
- ☐ Collar and ID tag — Fitted and engraved before the dog comes home
- ☐ Leash — Standard 4–6 foot leash for walks and training
- ☐ Harness — Recommended over collar for most dogs, especially pullers
- ☐ Training treats pouch — Keeps treats accessible during training sessions
- ☐ Puppy training pads — For puppies during housetraining
Health & Safety
- ☐ Vet appointment booked — Within the first week
- ☐ Microchip registered — If not already done by breeder or shelter
- ☐ Pet insurance — Set up before you need it
- ☐ Flea, tick, and worm prevention — Ask your vet for recommendations
- ☐ Home dog-proofed — Cables secured, toxic plants removed, rubbish bins secured
- ☐ Yard secured — Fencing checked, gates fitted with self-closing hinges
Enrichment & Exercise
- ☐ Chew toys — Essential for puppies; important for all dogs
- ☐ Fetch toys — Ball, frisbee, or rope toy
- ☐ Puzzle feeder — Mental stimulation at mealtimes
- ☐ Planned exercise routine — Know how much exercise your breed needs daily before they arrive
🐇 New Rabbit Owner Checklist
Housing
- ☐ Hutch (minimum 48" for a medium rabbit) — Set up and bedded before the rabbit arrives
- ☐ Exercise run or free-roaming space — Rabbits need 3–4 hours of free exercise daily
- ☐ Litter tray — In a corner of the hutch with paper-based litter and hay on top
- ☐ Bedding — Hay or paper-based bedding in the sleeping area
🐾 The Coziwow 37"L 2-Story Wheeled Wooden Rabbit House ($159.99–$169.99) is an excellent first hutch — 2-story design, no-leak sliding trays, and wheels for easy repositioning. Set up and ready before your rabbit arrives.
Food & Water
- ☐ Unlimited timothy hay — The most important item on this list. Have a large bag ready.
- ☐ Fresh leafy greens — Romaine lettuce, cilantro, parsley, basil
- ☐ Small amount of quality pellets — Hay-based, not muesli-style
- ☐ Heavy ceramic water bowl — Changed daily
- ☐ Hay rack — Keeps hay clean and off the floor
Health & Safety
- ☐ Exotic vet identified — Find a rabbit-savvy vet before you need one
- ☐ Spay/neuter appointment planned — Essential for health and behavior
- ☐ Vaccination schedule confirmed — Myxomatosis and RHD in applicable regions
- ☐ Toxic plants removed from rabbit's access area
Enrichment
- ☐ Chew toys — Willow branches, cardboard tubes, untreated wood
- ☐ Hiding spots — Cardboard box with entry hole
- ☐ Digging opportunity — Box of shredded paper or hay
🐹 New Small Pet Owner Checklist (Hamster, Guinea Pig, etc.)
Housing
- ☐ Appropriately sized cage — Minimum 40" x 20" for hamsters; larger for guinea pigs
- ☐ Deep bedding layer — Minimum 6" for hamsters (burrowing species); paper-based bedding
- ☐ Hideout or sleeping house — Enclosed sleeping area for security
- ☐ Exercise wheel — Solid surface (not wire) to prevent leg injuries; minimum 8" diameter for hamsters
Food & Water
- ☐ Species-appropriate food mix
- ☐ Fresh vegetables appropriate for the species
- ☐ Water bottle or bowl
- ☐ Food bowl — Heavy enough not to tip
Enrichment
- ☐ Tunnels and hides
- ☐ Chew toys — Wooden chews, mineral blocks
- ☐ Foraging opportunities — Scatter food in bedding rather than always using a bowl
📝 Universal New Pet Checklist (All Species)
- ☐ Vet identified and first appointment booked
- ☐ Pet insurance researched and set up
- ☐ Emergency vet number saved
- ☐ All toxic plants identified and removed or secured
- ☐ Household chemicals stored securely
- ☐ All family members briefed on handling and care
- ☐ Holiday/emergency care plan in place — Who will care for your pet if you're away or ill?
- ☐ Daily care routine planned — Feeding times, cleaning schedule, exercise routine
- ☐ Budget planned — Monthly food, annual vet costs, unexpected medical expenses
💡 The Most Important Thing: Give Them Time
No matter how well-prepared you are, every new pet needs time to adjust. The first few days — sometimes weeks — can be disorienting and stressful for an animal in a new environment. The best thing you can do is:
- Give them a small, quiet space to decompress initially
- Let them set the pace for interaction — don't force handling
- Keep the environment calm and predictable
- Be patient with accidents, hiding, and unusual behavior — it's normal
- Trust that with time, patience, and consistency, they will settle
The preparation you've done before they arrive is the foundation. Everything else builds from there. 🐾❤️
Find everything you need for your new pet at Coziwow. Use code COZIWOW for 10% off your first order!
