I am getting a 14-week old kitten. I don't know what items to buy for her. Shopping lists? Ideas?

Question

I'm getting a 14-week old kitten named Kikio from the organization I volunteer at. I rescued her and she was put up for adoption before I realized, and my parents and brother, that we wanted her. So we're getting her today, but before we do, we need to go shopping for things she needs. I have basics: toys, litter, food. I dont know what else to get, or what brands. Help?

Answer 1

toys, kitty food, maybe some kitty milk, liter box, blanket and bed, little collar, comb or brush,food bowl, nail clipper and if you don't already have one maybe want to take some pictures a one time use camera.

Answer 2

Congraduations on your special friend. Rescues always make me cry. I know from first hand experience.

You probably don't need much to start out with. Kikio will need to get used to her environment for the first few weeks. Plus this gives you time to see what kind of cat she is.

I would like to take a moment to share my litter box method. In a world where everything is more expensive than it should be, a little stretch of the dollar can be handy. I only change my litter every two weeks because of this and I use much less litter. It's a matter of layering. Litter disposal doesn't have to be a hassle, unless you already don't hassle and have one of those self-cleaning boxes(way cool).

If you use the bag liners (the drawstring kind is the best), then add a thick layer of newspaper. Next I add two of those sifting liners. Then a thick layer of shredded newspaper. On top of that I use the Tidy Cat or Arm and Hammer litter box freshner. Finally I use three types of litter (Tidy Cats, Special Kitty, Tidy Cats/Target clumping).

This method may seem well involved, but I tell you I have no wetness or odor for two weeks.

Answer 3

My kitty is 14 weeks old too, what an energetic age.

Here's what I have for my kitty:

Flea treatment, like Frontline or Advantage for kittens. I didn't treat her when I brought her home and I ended up with a flea infestation.

A brush is nice too, keeps the hair volume down.

Softpaws, these are nail caps that are put on the nails to keep her from ruining curtains and furniture. I found it was hard to get a cat to only use the scratching posts. I found them at pet supplies plus.
http://www.softpaws.com/soft_paws_kit.htm

A collar and tag, just in case she gets out somehow.

Toys, I found that my cats favorite toy is the little mice that look furry and have a little tail. She plays with those more than she does a ball.

Treats are nice too, they are great for training.

Food, litter, litter box, scooper, food dishes.

The last thing I would mention is tape. I tear off a piece of packing tape and turn it upside down for areas I don't want her to jump on, tables, counters... once she got taped, she never returned to the area again. Great training tool.

Good luck, enjoy your new sweetie!

Answer 4

Don't waste the money on large bags and cans of expensive food just yet. The kitten may be a picky eater. I had this problem with one of my kittens, so I bought a small bag, that way if they don't like it, it wasn't an expensive waste. I wouldn't buy a bed either, my cats won't sleep on anything but the couch or under the bed. Just go with the basics for now, such as litter pan with lid(in case he's messy), cat food, clay for the litter pan(you'll need to find one that works best for your cat), pooper scooper, food and water bowls, and some of the plastic balls with holes, and bells in them. Kittens also love a ball of aluminum foil, and balls of paper. They will play with just about any thing, just make sure it's safe. Also, the vet will give you free kitten food when you take them in for shots. I hope you enjoy your kitten.

Answer 5

Get tinfoil, paper bags, and maybe some toy fishing rods and mouses and balls, but dont get balls with bells inside--might scare the poor cat. Set paper shopping bags up on side with opening near a doorway where the cat can get at it. Tinfoil can be balled up and thrown for the cat to chase (you must follow the cat--this is not a dog, kitty WILL NOT fetch!!!!!!!!) Make sure that you get a good clumping litter like tidy cats scoopable and make sure it is a fine grain. Iams and Purina are good:: just make sure you have the right formula for your cat and dont feed kitten chow for too long, it gives the cat too much nutrition later in life.IF your cat throws up, and there is no hair, CHANGE THE FOOD YOU ARE GIVING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Iams is richer and thus harder to digest and some cats have a problem with it. Purina is milder, but doesn't have some of the effects of IAMS and has its own good traits. Take some time and figure out what the best formula is for your cat. Get a metal food and water dish, to prevent feline acne (yes teens, cats get it too!). If you want more interesting info and good cat stories, subscribe to cat fancy (I do and I luv it!!!!)

Answer 6

It sounds like you're off to a great start! The adoption paperwork should include a voucher for a free vet exam, so you'll want to select a vet for her and make an appointment for her in the next 10 days.

Your local pet store should carry a line of cat toys called "Zanies" that are AWESOME for cats...and there are quite a few to choose from...some are for the cat to enjoy alone, others are made for interactive play with you and members of your family. Be sure to pick up a pair of clippers for her claws, as well. Most cats will learn endure the bi-weekly nail trimming if you start early enough...and make the process as calm and enjoyable as possible.

Enjoy your new family member!!!

Answer 7

Hi there, sounds to me like you have pretty much everything covered. I'd get her one of those new water fountains that they have for cats now that are like a water fall. Kind of expensive, but my cat loves hers. You can find them at petsmart for $45. It was a great investment. Make sure you stick with one brand of food for her lifetime or she will get confused. Also, be sure you leave her litter box in one place or she won't know where to find it. Clean it out if not every day, then every other day. Change out the full litter box fillings at least once a week. If you don't want her clawing out your furniture, you can get nail tips now at petsmart (an alternative to declawing your pet...I'm not sure how well they work as they came out after I declawed my baby but I've heard they work pretty well). Do not get greenies...i've heard they choke your pets. Get a collar with a bell, but make sure you are around your cat to make sure they don't try to get it off and hurt themselves in the process....mine did and now she won't wear them lol. Good luck and have fun with your new pet! PS-don't forget flea and heartworm preventive medicine from your vet!

Answer 8

Get a scratching post for her!! Make sure it is of sisal rope, not carpet. Giving her a carpeted scratching post might confuse her into thinking the carpet on the floor or upholstery is also meant for scratching. Most cats like one that allows them to stand up on hind legs and stretch to scratch. Rub a bit of catnip on the rope part to entice her to try it out.
When she tries to sharpen claws on anything else,, gently pick her up while telling her "no, that's not a scratching post" and set her on the post, putting her paws on the rope and having her do the same action as if she were scratching on her own.
Cats catch on fast, she'll make the connection pretty soon, and the phrase of 'not your post' will cue her if she forgets in the future.
She's not going to need tons of fancy toys, I have a feather wand and a couple soft balls that have feathers velcro'd on for easy replacement. Mine love the leather tassel attached to a string. We have 'cat fishing' fun with that.
Keep the litter box in the same place and keep it CLEAN. Scoop it out at least once a day, and change the entire contents weekly.
Mine never slept in any of the fancy beds I bought them. They sleep on the back of the couch, or on the bed with me. Do leave her carrier out with a soft towel inside so she can have a little 'cave' to hole up in. It will also make it easier if she's used to being inside the carrier of her own will and not locked in it. I have one boy that takes long naps in his carrier. Tons easier for when I have to put them in one for travel or vet trips- they see the carrier as a cozy spot and not something that means scary things.
Brands? Some folks will insist the most expensive food, but ask the vet what he/she thinks will be best. Mine are on Meow Mix with an occasional treat of meat left over from our dinner plates. Cow milk tends to cause diarrhea- she doesn't need it! Use KMR if you want to treat her w a milk product.
No matter how healthy she stays- once a yr vet checkup and shots/worming.
Enjoy her quirks (my grey girl rides my motorcycle with me and insists on going in the car when I leave the house), love on her often

Answer 9

here are a few things i would get for her: toys, litter box, food dishes, a kitty bed or a card board box to sleep in. my cat is about 10 and he has never stopped liking boxes that he can climb into. oh! and some soft treats for rewarding her. that's about all i can think of. oh, and a collar if she is going to be outside with her name, your name, phone # and address...just in case she runs off. Friskeys is a really good brand of things to buy. that is what i get for my cat. hope that i helped.

Answer 10

well go to a pet store adn tell them your story so they can help you find the best kitten food for him. as for toys a scratch post is always fun adn experiment til you know what he likes best. there are feather sticks that you can wave around(they drive cats crazy in a good way) they also love the little lazers you buy as a key chain... they will follow the dot around it is so cute!!

heres a www for you to check some things out:

http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_cathome_Nav_102_N_23.aspx

^there are all kinda supplies adn toys to look at to get an idea from... good luck with your kitty!!