Putting together the kitten packs is one of the last things I do before I wave a litter off to their new homes, and I will admit it always brings a lump to my throat. Everyone loves a goodie bag, and a kitten pack is so much more than that – it is your chance to educate and support a new owner and to make those first few days in a strange new home as smooth as possible for the kitten.
So when the bags are packed, what exactly should go in? Here is what I include, split into the essential paperwork every kitten must leave home with and the thoughtful extras that make all the difference. This sits alongside my complete guide to breeding Siamese cats, which covers everything from mating to the day they leave.
The essential paperwork
This is the minimum that should go with every kitten. No exceptions.
Registration card
All kittens should be registered with the GCCF (or another governing body) before they leave home, and the registration card goes in the pack.
Vaccination card
Kittens should have completed a full course of vaccinations at least seven days before they leave, and the vaccination card should show it. If you want the detail on timings and what your kittens are protected against, see my article on kitten vaccinations.
Pedigree
This should show at least three generations with registration numbers – though I always provide a full five-generation pedigree. It should carry the breeder’s name and contact details, the kitten’s registered name, breed, colour and registration number, and be signed by the breeder as accurate. I like to include photos of the dam, the sire and the kitten too, then laminate it or roll it and tie it with a ribbon to make it special.
Care and diet sheet
There is a lot for a new owner to take in on collection day, so I give them a care sheet with everything they need to settle the kitten. I include what I have been feeding and how often, which litter I use, and whether the kittens are used to a covered or open tray. I also note worming and flea treatment dates with a reminder of when the next is due. I put the same information on my website under kitten care so prospective owners can read it in advance and have everything ready.
New owner agreement and receipt
I ask every new owner to sign a kitten agreement setting out my expectation that the kitten will be kept as a pet. It doubles up nicely as a receipt and as my own record of where each kitten has gone.
The thoughtful extras
These are optional, but they genuinely help a kitten settle and support a new owner through those first nervy days.
A familiar blanket
I always include a familiar-smelling blanket. Pop it in the kitten’s bed for a few days beforehand and it carries the reassuring smells of home on the journey and during settling in. Small fleece or baby blankets are very cheap online or in discount stores, and if you or a friend can knit or crochet, a handmade one is a lovely touch. You can even have them embroidered with your prefix or the kitten’s name.
A few days’ food
With everything else changing, keep a kitten’s diet the same for the first few days to avoid an upset tummy. I include enough of their usual food to bridge the change, which is also a nice way to let a new owner try a quality food. Many companies make small bags of dry food, or you can fill a labelled jar and tie it with a ribbon. Royal Canin, Hills, Applaws and others often provide free breeder kitten packs with samples and a care guide if you register as a breeder. Good diet matters from day one – my articles on weaning kittens and hand-feeding kittens go into how I get them eating well before they ever leave.
A favourite toy
Toys help build that early bond between a kitten and its new family. It might be a toy the kitten has already played with, sent along to help them settle, or a brand-new one you know they enjoy. Bags of mice or multipacks are cheap online or from the stalls at cat shows, and home-made knitted mice are always a hit.
Lifelong support
Most important of all, kitten owners need a lifetime of support from their breeder. Make sure your contact details are on the pedigree or a business card, and make it easy for owners to reach you – especially in those first worrying days. Happy owners mean happy kittens, and a breeder who stays in touch is a breeder people recommend.
Planning a litter from the very start?
My complete guide to breeding Siamese cats walks you through every stage, right up to packing those kitten packs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must be in a kitten pack as a minimum?
The essential paperwork: a registration card, a vaccination card showing a full course completed at least seven days before leaving, a signed pedigree, a care and diet sheet, and a new owner agreement that doubles as your receipt. Everything else is a welcome extra.
Should kittens be vaccinated before they leave?
Yes. Kittens should have completed their full vaccination course at least seven days before going to their new home, with the vaccination card included in the pack as proof. It protects the kitten and gives the new owner peace of mind.
Why include the kitten’s usual food?
Moving home is a big upheaval, so keeping the diet the same for the first few days avoids an upset stomach on top of everything else. A few days’ supply of their familiar food bridges the transition and lets the new owner sample a quality diet.
Do I really need to offer lifelong support?
Absolutely. A responsible breeder is there for the life of every kitten they produce. Make sure your contact details travel with the kitten and that owners know they can come to you with questions – it is the mark of a good breeder and it builds the reputation that brings you the right homes.
For a ready-made example to adapt, the GCCF’s kitten agreement is a sensible starting point for your new owner paperwork.
Ross has bred and shown Siamese cats for many years. You can read more about him and this site on the about page.
