We are getting a kitten today!?

Question

Me and my husband are going to pick up a kitten today that we fell in love with yesterday. This is our very first pet together so we want to make sure everything is perfect. I'm trying to figure out what things i need to make the little guy at home. I try looking at sites for pet store companies and I'm not sure what stuff i actually need or what stuff is just extra (i get dooped crazy easily) any advice?

Answer 1

Hello there, how exciting that you are getting a kitten! My husband and I got our first kittens together early January. I suggest the following things, from experience!



*Dust-free, allergen free cat clumping litter

*Large cat litter box, along with litter scoop

*Litter box deodorizer, such as Arm and Hammer

*Innova Evo dry food (wet food can cause diarrhea in young kittens!) Find some in your area here: http://www.naturapet.com/where-to-buy/

*Bowl for water, bowl for food

*Scratching post made of carpet or cardboard paper

*Pet-designed carpet cleaner and carpet brush, for little accidents that may happen, especially from the stress of coming to a new home! Happened to us!

*Little toys, like the little twist ties from milk gallons that you remove, or "fishing poles" for kittens, anything with feathers, balls, cats love laser lights!

*Large cat carrier, the plastic kind...the cloth ones looks very cute, but can be so hard to clean and maintain!

*A little cat bed, even though you might find the baby might like to sleep with you and your husband instead! But she might love to take naps in the little cat bed, but get a big enough one for when she grows...they grow so fast! So take lots of pictures now! =)

*Special cat nail clippers to cut the nails. Please never declaw the kitten, as this is actually a handicap for them....they actually cut out the first knuckle in a pretty brutal way, and it handicaps the cat and deforms the little paw. It is so sad.



This is what we ended up using/needing all the time. In the beginning, we bought a LitterMaid, but that was a huge waste of time, effort and money! So don't make that mistake as well! Also, I find the clumping litter easier to clean than the crystals, the litter crystals take on a very strong urine odor that can fill the whole home. And when you trim the nails, make sure to look for the little pink area you'll see called the 'quick'...and cut far from that area, as it can be very sensitive and bleed. And whatever you do, do not feed your kitten milk! It will cause many digestive products. And the reason why I recommend Innova Evo, is because it is dry food that is based on only the best ingredients possible, with no carbohydrates, no by-products, no questionable things you do not want your cat to have in its system.



I'm so happy for you guys! I really am. They do grow fast, I'm telling you. But they will bring you lots of joy. You'll probably get another one soon..haha! We got our first one a friend for when we were out of the home, she wouldn't be lonely...and so far, it's working out great. A little tension in the beginning, but it's normal. If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to email me!

Answer 2

When kittens first come into a new home they are scared and unfamiliar with their surroundings. So it's completely natural if your kitten goes and hides under the couch for a few hours. If you want to make your kitten feel at home, buy him a little stuff toy that he can sleep with at night for company. He may cry and meow a bit his first night home with you. Kittens also love toy balls with bells inside, so it's a good idea to pick some of those up. As far as kitten food goes, mine love the Lams in the purple bag. Another suggestion is to buy some kitten milk, which is in the pet food isle., kittens absolutely love that. It is completely normal if you kitten doesn't eat too much or at all his first day home, but don't worry about it. When he's hungry he'll eat. You also should get a litter box .... Most importantly you need to be very patient with kittens. Spend as much time as possible with him when you first bring him home, let him explore his new surroundings. Congratulations on your new family member, and most importantly, don't worry. It would also be beneficial to bring a box and a blanket when you go pick up your baby, because he's not going to like the ride home.

Answer 3

congrats!



I mostly wanted to say to avoid clumping litter, at least for now. The little guy is probably already big enough to handle it but if he happened to eat some (kittens will do that sometimes) it could be dangerous. Once you're sure he won't eat litter then you can get clumping if you prefer.



I think everyone covered the needs very well.

Mine do have some favorite toys - cheap little mice that rattle, feathers on a stick (you can get a decent one for around $3 at Target), shoelaces, other cats, and paper bags. You don't need to spend much on toys, kittens will play with anything they can knock around and will try to knock some things they can't move yet. Anything where you interact with them (shoelaces, feathers on a stick..) is always nice because it's time together.



He may hide at first or seem standoffish while he explores, but it's nothing personal, cats just like to scope out their territory before settling in. Good luck! I'm sure he'll be very happy with you both.

Answer 4

All you really need to start is a litter tray - best advice to to spend on this and make sure its a big one - and obviously kitty litter, scooper to clean and nappy sacks (buy tesco value ones - they last for about a year and a half and they are only £1) Bowls, type of food your kitten is used to, blanket / bed, couple of small toys, and a comb.



You will also need to invest in a good scratching post as well because little kitten claws are super duper sharp!!



Otherwise everything else you can sort out at a later date - also make an appointment with a vet just to get your new baby checked out and make sure he has all his vacinations.



When you get your baby home he will prob be a bit timid so try to keep him in one room so he can get used to his surroundings and as soon as you get him home place him in the litter tray every now and then to familiarise him with it to avoid accidents (which will happen but kitties do learn quick!)

Also have somewhere for him to go hide - a big box or quite corner that he feels secure in.



Good luck - I'm wish it was me! You will go through months of scratched legs and arms but you will find yourself wondering why you didn't get him sooner - cats are soo funny and mostly have great personalities.

Answer 5

Kittens are a lot of work, congratulations on getting one. Here is the basics of what you need for the kitten.



You need several things in the house:

I have denoted them by what you need NOW (N) and what you can get in the next week or so (L).



-N- A cat kennel: for transport and possible sleeping

-L- A spray to eliminate odors: because accidents do happen

-L- Boxes/paper bags/newspaper: really cheap fun toys

-L- A cat nail clippers: nails get sharp and the sooner they are used to getting them clipped, the better.

-L- Collars with tags: just in case s/he gets out.

-N- A pet bed: so the kitty has somewhere to sleep.

-N- Food and water bowls

-N- Several fun toys: solo and interactive

-N- High Quality soft food: for the extra calories that the babies need, and they love it.

-N- High quality dry food: start with what the cat has been on to prevent diahhrea.

-N- Litterbox scoop and litter: for basic bathroom needs

-L- A Scratching Post: to prevent the furniture from being used for this purpose.



Other things that are very nice to have, but not essential:



--- Scale that measures grams or ounces: only if the kitten is very small (less than 2 pounds) then the weight should be monitored.

--- A cat condo, or other large climbing furniture just for the cats. My kittens LOVE to play on a chair... so furniture is optional as long as s/he is allowed on what furniture you have.

--- Auto food and waterers: very nice, but on the high end.

--- Self Cleaning litterbox: definitally on our wish list! But not a necessity.



Also, The vet needs to be consulter about vaccinations, deworming, and flea and tick control. And I highly recommend getting the cat spayed or neutered so that you don't have problems with unwanted babies, spraying, or other behaviors associated with intact cats.



Food depends on the size of the kitten, it is recommended that you do not let him/her feed continuously (obesity is common) but give the kitten mealtimes. When you buy a bag of food, it will have feeding instructions for age and size on the package. Follow what the food says and make sure that water is always available for the kitten. Feed soft food in small amounts to avoid diarrhea and encourage eating of hard foods.



Good luck with your kitten!

Answer 6

no its not ok. people milk will give them diarrhea or constipate them. if he gets constipated then he wont eat and then youll be in trouble. kitten can very easily get dehydrated. please keep a close eye on your kitten, if there are ever any signs of it being sick take it to the vet. kittens are in danger zone until they are bout 12 weeks old especially if its not with its mother. go to the store and by it kitten formula, it contains all the nourishment the kitten will need. kittens will need to be stimulated to use the restroom like its mother would. get a warm cloth and masage its bottom about 3 times a day to allow the kitten to relieve itself. always keep your kitten warm . hope i helped and good luck.

Answer 7

Well, a kitten needs to feel happy and safe. Keep it in a medium-sized low basket (like the one in Tom and Jerry!).Cover it with a soft and light blanket. Get some toys like balls, stuffed toys and cat-resmbling dolls. Get a food bowl. Spend some time with it and feed it regularly from a feeding bottle for the first year. Get a travelling cage or crate if you need to travel often, but avoid it if possible, because the bumpy roads can affect your little kitty!

Answer 8

LUCKY YOU!



you wont need much just the essentials for now



kitten food

bed

bowls

1 or 2 toys

kitty litter and box (or if u gonna train it to go outside)

and lots of love!



later on u should buy some other stuff later on like a comb, treats GOOD LUCK

Answer 9

First you need a bowl, obviously, although I prefer having three bowls. One for water, one for biscuits and one for meats and other wet foods. Obviously you need the food too.

Secondly you definately need to purchase a kitty litter tray and some kitty litter. I get the white crystal-like litter that has blue bits through it. It is quite expensive though and I only get that one because it's really good at absorbing the stench and my cat's nickname is Eureeka for a good reason. (you-reeker).

Thirdly, you need a collar but don't let your cat outside for the first two weeks unattended or he may run away as he won't realise its his home.

Fourth, toys and a scratching post. Strictly speaking these are optional but I don't consider them as such. Scratching post if you don't want him scratching your furniture (which he will do anyway but hey). We get ping pong balls for our cat, they are cheap and he loves them. But this stray cat who is 8 that we have adopted she adores playing with the fabric gloves you purchase that have long fingers with bells and balls on the end. She thinks thats fun (but she likes everything because we are the first people to treat her nicely. we knew her previous owners and they couldnt have cared less about her).

Technically that is all you need. I would advise you to get a brush as well as some cats really enjoy being brushed. Then again, others hate it.

Please don't approach your kitten when you bring him home. He will approach you when he is ready. If you try to rush him into it he may get scared and it will take longer for him to make himself at home. I know it is tempting to pick them up and show them around but just take him to "his room" (where he will eat and poop and sometimes sleep - face it, they sleep where they want to) and let him be. Our cat took about four hours before he approached us willingly but we have a big house, he is uber curious, and he had abandonment issues so he was not willingly to love us until he was sure.

Answer 10

Kittens actually don't need much. Regular food, water and a bed will do. They are very crazy and spazy and will play with just about anything. If you wanna buy her some toys then I suggest a ball with a bell inside it works great here.

Answer 11

Look At The Best Answer On This Question, Its the Same Question Your Asking. Has Everything About New Kitty, Trust Me. I Was you Once.



https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20080630003216AAy0YC3&show=7#profile-info-rvVK0Hvvaa



Yes the answer is mines <3





EDIT:

for food. I descided to go with INNOVA EVO CAT & KITTEN FOOD, pricey, but I buy the big bag and my kitten takes forever to eat it because with this healthy cat/kitten food, they don't over eat and such. 16lbs bag=$43 where I live. US, west coast.

Answer 12

this will be the best thing you have done they are wonderfull company when they get older, first u need all the things the preivious reply said. i would heve a look on the internet how to train your kitten, so many people do it wrong and end up writing on here what to do with when they dont like it anymore because it attacks them. its very easy to get it right, and so worthwhile, enjoy your new baby, good luck

Answer 13

How exciting !!!



litterbox

soft bed

bowls (not plastic, ceramic or stainless steel )

toys

litter

food both wet and dry

toys

scoop for the litter

pet carrier to transport with

flea comb



Ummm I'm sure I left something out lol

Congrats enjoy your new kitten.

Answer 14

Before you collect your kitten you will need these things today-:

Kitten food+treats

Food+water bowls

Cat litter+litter tray with scoops

Catbed+toys

Scratching post

Cat carrier basket

Cat brush+flea comb

Other things can be bought when you need them.

Answer 15

OMG THATS SOOO SWEET



obviously the basic things

i dnt exactly know

i hope your boyfriend, kitten and you have a sweet life together lol cute!



:o)

Answer 16

obviously, the basics,

litter tray, with litter.

kitten food.

small toys, they especially like string, and catnip toys.

a scratching post

cat flap?

bowls.



i found, that when i got my kitten, he never used to like using new things, try rubbing your scent on the scratching post and litter tray, (clothes you've worn), and just rub it.

good luck!

Answer 17

Well, I am going to list a lot of stuffs here, some you already know but maybe not enough and some you might not know.



New Kitten Checklist:-



Food



(find out what she is eating prior to coming home to you, keep the same food if it is a high quality brand. If you need to change, transition slowly by mixing the old and new food together)



**It is always better to feed a 100% wet diet as compared to dry. The reason is pretty simple. Cats are not big water drinker and they need water for hydration. Dry food contains very little moisture and a diet of dry food will create many health problems down the road. Also, the believe that dry food helps clean teeth is a complete myth just like how some people believe that wet food causes diarrhea.



If you are interested to find out why a wet diet is better, go here:-



http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=whycatsneedcannedfood

http://cats.about.com/cs/catfood/a/canned_food.htm

http://cats.about.com/od/catfoo1/tp/tpcannedadult.htm

http://www.catinfo.org/

http://www.naturalmatters.net/article.asp?article=621&cat=11

http://www.traciehotchner.com/cb/QandA.htm



Most cats are lactose intolerant so giving them milk is not a good choice. Some might develop diarrhea and some will be fine. But it is better not to take any chances since cats do not need milk in their diet. If you like, you can purchase cat milk instead as a treat but the kitten has to be over 6 weeks old to drink them.



Some brands to try:-



Whiskas Cat Milk

http://www.whiskas.ca/catmilk.html



Vitakraft Healthy Milk/Yogurt Snack Drops for Cats

http://www.vitakraft.de/en/ar/kt/ktprme.htm



Catsip

http://www.akpharma.com/catsip/default.html



Milky Flakes Um Treats for Kittens

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/239509/product.web



Water



(filtered water would be the best, you can also invest in a water fountain if you like.

Petmate and Drinkwell are popular ones)



http://www.petmate.com/

http://www.vetventures.com/



Food/Water Dish



(Kittens and cat like to eat and drink from shallow bowl. Dog bowls are not suitable because they are deeper and cats do not like to get their whiskers wet or soggy. Stainless steel and ceramic are the best. Avoid double serving dishes - keep a separate dish for food and water)



Grooming Tools



(short haired cats require less grooming than long haired. Invest in good quality nail clippers, brush, flea comb, wet wipes, and I like to use a chamois cloth to give my kitty's coat a high sheen and glow after grooming. The furminator is also a good tool to help with controlling excessive shedding. Kitten do not need to be bathed unless they get very dirty/messy)



http://www.furminator.com/



Litter and Litterbox



(She will need at least one litterbox for your kitten. To begin with, choose a smaller one where the sides are lower so she is able to climb in and out easily. Remember, not all cats like a covered litterbox. It is only convenient for the owner.

There are many kinds of litter to choose from and I personally prefer clumping litter made from natural biodegradable ingredients like corn, wheat and pine)



http://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com/

http://www.swheatscoop.com/

http://www.naturemakesitwork.com/

http://www.naturesearth.com/

http://www.natureslogic.com/products/cp_litter.html

http://www.preciouscat.com/kitten-attract-p-10.html



To make sure that your kitten uses the litterbox regularly, you have to maintain a clean and sanitary litterbox condition. Be sure to scoop daily and replenish with fresh litter. You will need to empty the litterbox at least once a week or twice a month. Wash the litterbox thoroughly with a mild detergent and bleach. Be sure to rinse off all cleaning residue. Don't forget to also clean the scoop! With kittens, you will need to make sure you leave a little of the used litter behind to remind them what the litterbox is for.



Scratching Post and Play Structures



(This is very important to get for your kitty because you do not want her to learn to scratch your furniture. Scratching is a natural habit and you shouldn't punish er. When you buy a scratching post, make sure it's one that is sturdy and will not tip off easily. All cats love to climb and getting her a nice cat tree of playhouse will allow her to exercise her natural talent without ransacking your house)



You can try one of these two method to teach your kitten/cat to use the scratching post.



Method One



Hold treats near the post to get your cat to come near the post. Slowly, make your cat come closer and closer to the post to get the treat. Then increase the height at which you are holding the treat so your cat must put his paws up the post to reach the treat. Gradually increase the height at which you hold the treat so that your cat eventually has to climb to the top in order to get the treat. This training session is a slow process to be worked on each day, making small progress each time you work on it.



Method Two



Using the kind of cat toys that are at the end of a string, dangle, drag, and swing one of your cat's toys. Do this on and around the post. Use the scratching post as the play area. Your cat will climb up and down and around his post to try to reach his toy. By doing this, his post will be a place of fun and good memories.





Stain and Odor Remover



(Accidents happen so be prepare to clean up after your kitten. You must remove all traces of urine from carpeting because a kitten will urinate on the same spot again if she scent it.)



Carrier



(When you bring your kitten to visit the vet, you will need a carrier. It is important that you choose one that fits the kitten comfortably and she can stand and turn around easily. You can choose hard sided or soft sided carriers and they come is all shapes and design)



Collar and ID Tag



I hope your cat stays indoor. If she is outdoor, a collar and ID Tag is a must. I am not a huge fan of collar for indoor cat because of the possible risk of strangulation and getting stuck in structures. But it is up to you to make that decision. Choose a breakaway collar if you must.



Toys



(Kitten loves to play and make sure you always supervise her playtime. Favorites are jingle balls, mylar balls, feathered toys, dangling toys, lure toys, and I recommend you try Da Bird and Cat Dancer. They go absolutely crazy for them. Some toys you can make at home. Milk Jug Ring is a hit in all cat household, drinking straws, a rolled up ball of paper, newspaper tent, pillow tunnels)



Bed



(Just to remind you, you cannot place a kitten on a bed and expect her to sleep there quietly like a newborn baby. Kittens will choose wherever they want to snooze and the place changes all the time. Just make a simple comfortable bedding for her should she choose to sleep in a bed)



A note about plants at home. Please visit this website to make sure your plants are safe for kitty and non toxic.



http://www.cfainc.org/articles/plants.html



This site is very useful in learning more about taking good care of your kitten. Hope you'll visit and get more information from there.



http://cats.about.com/od/kittencare/Kitt...



I hope I've covered it all for you. Good Luck and Best Wishes to you and your kitty!