2006-09-09 19:23:37 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
You will need the following:
Food – I recommend that you start off with what the it was eating before and also get a bag of Natural choice complete care indoor formula make sure for a kitten you get kitten formula food.
Litter box – I’ve tried many different ones and what I have found that works best for me and my cats is an enclosed litter box for the main reason that one of my cats likes to dig in the litter box and litter would get all over the floor we would be wasting way too much litter that way the covered box keeps most of the litter in the box, there is a little bit that tracks out when they come out of it, but most of that gets trapped in the litter mat, that’s another thing you should buy.
Litter – I had been a tidy cat person and then one day the store was out of it so I got arm and hammer super scoop and I haven’t even thought about going back. Make sure you get unscented; cats tend to not like scented litter it is too much for their nose to handle.
Litter Scooper – just get a regular plastic litter scooper, and scoop out the litter box at least once a day.
Litter box liners – I love litter box liners when it comes to doing a full litter change it is so much easier.
Toys – Get a good variety of toys, some ball, and some stuffed toys. Get a laser pointer, cats love these, just be careful not to shine it in their eyes it might blind them. Get at least one string toy, cats love these just don’t leave it out when you are not around or your cat may eat it and that has potential costly problems with it getting wrapped around their intestine causing a blockage that may take surgery to fix it.
You can get a cat bed or use a nice blanket so they have a soft place to nap.
Food bowls – it is actually recommended that you get a metal bowl; some cats have allergies to plastic.
I would recommend getting a drink well pet fountain. A lot of cats don’t drink enough and it causes urinary problems and cats love fresh flowing water and that’s what the drink well gives you constantly fresh flowing water.
Don’t forget to get a brush so you can groom your cat, you want to get the kitten use to being groomed, having it’s nails trimmed, and it’s teeth brushed as soon as you can it will make things much easier for you.
Good luck! Enjoy your new friend.
2006-09-10 00:39:54 · answer #1 · answered by macleod709 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Having just brought a kitten home here's a great list for you to follow:
1) Metal or glass food and water dishes (plastic can cause allergic reactions!).
2) The food the kitten is currently eating (buy a small bag if it's not a nutritous food and also buy another bag of high-end kitten food and slowly switch the food by mixing after the first week and the kitten is some-what settled in your home).
3) A litter box that the kitten can get into.
4) Litter (preferably the litter that the kitten is used to using - buy a small bag and change it over to something that you and/or the kitten prefers shortly and by mixing the two brands slowly- much like the food).
5) Most importantly, make sure to have AT LEAST $350 for your first vet visit (that should be made within the first few days that you have your kitten) if your kitten hasn't been to a vet yet, otherwise $150 should be sufficient.
6) Cat toys (fake mice, cat springs - but not very many, until you know what the kitten likes).
7) Nail clippers - have your vet show you how to properly clip your kitten's nails on your first visit.
8) A cat carrier - for your first visit to the vet.
9) A blanket/towel/old sweater to use in the cat carrier.
Some other things that are nice to have but not necessarily needed:
1) Scratching post
2) Collar - They shouldn't need one right now, since cats should be kept in doors for heath and personal safety, BUT if your kitten will eventually become an outdoor cat, it should stay indoors until it's at least 9-12 months old.
3) A cat bed - the cat carrier can be used for the first little while unitl the kitten finds it's "favorite spot".
Please note: it's important to keep your kitten in a small room for the first couple of days until it gets used to you and it's surroundings. Once that's happened, you can start to let it explore different areas of your home, undisturbed of course.
Most importantly, love your kitten lots, and please, please, please, keep it's health in your utmost interest - spay/neuter at approx. 6 months.
2006-09-10 03:48:28 · answer #2 · answered by polydactylmoggie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Vicky...Here's a wonderful online tutorial which goes into great detail about preparing for your new kitten. Each section also includes more info within the main tutorial to help you further. I hope you find this most helpful to prepare you and your home for your new kitten.
Main tutorial article is below, however click this link (http://cats.about.com/cs/kittencare/a/lessonone.htm) to view the interactive links within the tutorial.
Kitten Care - Online Tutorial
From Franny Syufy, Your Guide to Cats.
LESSON 1 - Preparing for a New Kitten
Kittens are the most wonderful tiny creatures on Earth, but they come complete with insatiable curiosity, which can be their downfall unless you stay one step ahead. This will help you set the groundwork for a safe introduction to your home.
Are you excited yet?
Kitten-Proof Your Home
Look, Sniff, and Think like a Kitten
Put on some comfortable old clothes and get waaay down on the floor and put on your best kitten persona.
You can even lie on your back. Now look up; you'll likely see dozens of tempting attractions, many of them hazardous to little furkids. If you lack imagination, follow the article, step-by-step.
Shopping List for New Kitten
The Basic Necessities
At the very least, your kitten will need food, a place to sleep, a scratching post or pad, and a litter box and litter. Of course, you won't be able to pass up a few toys. They will make the coming home experience a little easier on your new addition, especially since he'll be isolated from any other cats the first few days.
Comfy Bed for Baby
Although your new kitten may be perfectly comfortable in a cardboard box lined with clean, soft towels or a small blanket, consider giving him a real bed, just like the big guys. The best bets are beds that are either fully washable or have a washable and/or replaceable cover.
Kitten Food for Kittens
The first year of a cat's life sets the pace for his future development, health, and well-being. It is essential that he eats a quality food developed for kittens.
For now, if you know the 0brand, give him the same food he's been eating at the breeders, foster home, or shelter, to avoid tummy upsets from sudden changes. We'll explore more about quality foods in a later lesson.
Interactive Toys
You're going to spend a lot of time in the first weeks bonding with your new furkid - establishing a close relationship that will last a lifetime. One of the best ways to start this bond is by playing with kitten with an interactive toy. He will enjoy any of these listed, but don't forget another favorite game is "fetch" with a wadded-up piece of paper.
Scratching Posts
A favorite "starting scratcher" among feline aficionados is the Cosmic Alpine Scratcher, an inexpensive, long-lasting cardboard incline with a corregated cardboard scratching surface. We've had ours going on 18 months now, and just reversed the scratching surface for another long period of hard use. At one time, our kittens were small enough to fit inside through the hole. Maybe yours will too.
Litter Box and Litter
There are many litter boxes on the market, but make sure the one you choose is shallow enough for easy entrance and egress for your little guy. Many people use a small plastic storage box of appropriate size, for starters.
The litter is the most important factor. The link above gives my top picks for premium litter. You also owe it to your kitten t read this article on Clumping Clay Litters .
Preparing a "Safe Room"
It may be a room, a closet, or a secluded corner
Your kitten will need a "safe room" for one or two reasons:
To have a place where he can retreat when frightened, feeling threatened, or just to relax and sleep
To isolate him from other cats in the family until he's been "cleared" by your veterinarian.
2006-09-10 03:37:10 · answer #3 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hey, ok listen closley. You should buy a litter box(or a tiny little pan if the kitten is little), kitty litter, kitten food, a food dish, a water dish, a pooper scooper, a brush, a bed, a colar, a name tag, and a container to keep the food in. Good luck with your kitten.
2006-09-10 02:27:33 · answer #4 · answered by mel 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
litter box, litter, litter scooper, kitten food, food dish, water bowl. Don't use flea shampoo on a kitten that's is younger than the suggested age on the flea shampoo bottle. Instead use regular Johnson & Johnson Baby shampoo. It won't harm the kitten's skin. Check with your vet about the ages for using flea treatments.
2006-09-10 02:26:46 · answer #5 · answered by justpeachy! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a litter box and some cat litter, a good quality kitten food, water bowl and food dish, some toys. They love cat nip mice and those things on a pole that you dangle in front of them.
2006-09-10 03:07:25 · answer #6 · answered by Turtle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The basic items needed to start with are:
-Litter tray
-Cat litter and litter scoop
-Food and Water bowls
-Food
-Sleeping basket and blanket
-Cat carrier
-Scratching post and toys (kittens like children discover new things from playing)
-Collar and tag (if you feel it's necessary)
Have FUN!!!
2006-09-10 07:39:57 · answer #7 · answered by Horse crazy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Liter box, cat liter, food bowl, water bowl, carrying case to take pet to vet, name of a good vet, kitten food
Don't put a flea collar on a kitten. It will kill them or at least make them super sick!
One Dollar stores are starting to carry pet supplies. Check them out for bowls and toys and collars. Cats don't do well on a leash. I lost a cat once one a leash and harness. She pulled some double jointed aerobic manuver and voila no cat! I never saw her again. Good luck. And don't forget you local pound or humane society.
I got my dog that way, but she had worms so be ready to go to the vet and get you kitten checked over. And get her spayed to help reduce the number of unwanted kittens in the world.
2006-09-10 02:27:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
first of aen; secondltll a book that teaches you how to care for kittenet cat litter and a litter pan; hey love yarn and dont forgbuy their food. tten shampoo for their fleas and coat and a nice blanket plus a nice cat bed; and buy kitten toys
2006-09-10 02:28:00 · answer #9 · answered by Fredrick A. Simpkins 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cat food, somthing for them to eat and drink out of, toys, maybe consider a litter box, and perhaps a cat bed. Cats are easy to take care of. Execpt when it comes to the potty-training part. I encourage you to get a litterbox :)
2006-09-10 03:24:57 · answer #10 · answered by zachsgirl1001 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋