New Kitten. What should i be prepared for?

Question

I'm gettiing a female kitten from my friend. I need a list of things that the cat will need. As its a female, should it get neuterd. I dont want the cat to get depressed if its not ever allowed to have kittens. But if i allow it to have kittens i dont know if i would be able to find homes for them all. i'm out from 7:30 to about 4:30 so should i play with it alot when i get home. Also a guide on vaccinations. i know i should let the cat out until its 6 months old.
i'nm getting the cat as soon as it is 8 weeks

Answer 1

yes get it nuetured.. it wont get depressed form not having kittens.. cats act as our babies and look to us as their mothers which is why they are affectinate.. so they wont even notice they dont have babies of their own!
get loadsa toys and remember kittens need feeding little but often.. so make sure when u go to work there is plenty of food left for her..

Answer 2

Prepare for complete havoc, main thing is the litter tray I'm assuming it has been litter trained, thats not to much of a problem.
I got most of my help from this forum, just type in your question in the little box above 'search for questions' and read what folk have said in the past.There are a few points you make up your own mind about pet lovers seem to be divided about whether a cat is an indoor pet, or should be allowed to come and go as they please, you will make up your own mind about that!
The 'spayed ' bit ? I was going to let my kitten have free rein she is 6 months old which meant a trip to the vet for the op' I wasnt really worried about the cost, but they said around £50, the bit that I didnt like was that I was told she would need to wear a collar after the op' the collar is like an upside down lampshade! There is no way my kitten could do her usual 'berserker' act around the house wearing that thing, and we are talking 10 days here!! The alternative is that the kitten will pull ot the stiches on her own, and the vet says that would cost another £200 to sort out.
My cat will now be an indoor variety , sounds cruel doesnt it, but I dont think it is, I've seen dead cats in he road run over, I've heard the racket they make at night while a bigger cat is chewing the ears off the small cats, I dont think they enjoy that a lot. It's a very debateable point.
But good luck to you and your kitten, remember prepare for havock!
They are also very good at stripping wallpaper off walls, you will have lots of questions, and if you just type them in as I suggested you will find all you need to know.

Answer 3

Hi William,

First of all - are you in the UK? Because if so then you can get a couple of free kitten packs giving information about kittens, money off vouchers, possibly a toy & even some kitten food samples from both Whiskers & Felix:

http://www.whiskas.co.uk/whiskas/en-gb/kittenpack/kittenpackform.asp
http://www.catslikefelix.co.uk/kittens/kittens.asp

There is also loads of information about what to expect when bringing your kitten home, etc. on those sites.

However, as a quick guide:

- a supply of the food that the kitten is already eating

- a litter tray

- some litter of the same type that the kitten is used to

- a metal water bowl

- a couple of food bowls (maybe one for wet food, one for dry)

- some toys (eg ball, mouse, toy on a fishing rod - even a crushed piece of paper rolled into a ball is fun)

- a bed (this could just be a cardboard box but line it with a blanket or something soft - ideally take the blanket with you when you go to get the kitten & rub it all over the mother cat so the blanket smells of 'home' until your place becomes the kittens home)

- a cat carrier (some of these come apart & can double as a cat bed - but it will come in useful - especially on your trip to the vet)

- a cat scratcher or activity centre (Argos does a very cheap one & if the kitten gets used to stropping its claws on a proper scratcher it is less likely to use your furniture)

As I said, there is more info on the websites.

VACCINATIONS - normally start at 9 weeks & will consist of two injections spaced about two or three weeks apart. If you drop into your vets now to make the appointment they'll be able to give you a leaftlet on the vaccination & help you decide whether or not to vaccination for Felv.

FLEAS - hopefully your kitten doesn't have any but if so, then, when you go into the vets, I'd recommend that you ask their advice, otherwise I'd get hold of some Frontline so that I could treat the kitten right away.

WORMS - again I'd recommend talking with the vet - but, especially if the kitten has had fleas, to use Panacur wormer which treats both round & tape worms.

NEUTERING - you'd generally get this done at around 6 months in the UK (again Vet will have info & advice) - I'd recommend it. She won't be depressed over never having kittens. She'll be happy & fulfilled living with you. Especially if she has lots of toys, an activity centre & you to play with.

I'd recommend leaving her in a secure place while you're out during the day. Leaving down her toys, fresh water & a bowl of dried cat food. Play with her when you get home - she may be shy at first - & then let her cuddle in on your lap whilst you're watching tv.

FIRST NIGHT HOME - if she's not going to be on your bed then I'd recommend getting a hot water bottle or a wheat bag to but in her bed under the blanket that smells of home. She's liable to cry on the first night & be lonely. Make sure you reassure her & please don't shout at her.

Also make sure that she knows where her litter tray is.

Anyway - good luck & have lots of fun with her. Hope these tips help - but I know that the websites will.

Answer 4

Cats don't get depressed because they don't have kittens--so get the cat spayed when it's old enough. The world doesn't need more unwanted kittens.

Your vet can tell you what vaccinations it needs and how often. Get it checked out immediately when you bring it home to be sure it doesn't have problems from the start. The vet can also tell you about the best food for it, and the like.

Cats do love to play, and when it's a kitten, it may drive you mad. Depending on its personality, it may climb curtains, knock things off tables, etc. It's a bit like having a baby around, so prepare your house. They do grow out of it eventually, but it can be frustrating.

Indoor cats live longer, so you may not want to ever let the cat out. Get it a nice litter pan and keep it clean. You'll have a happy cat.

Have fun!

Answer 5

You should get her neutered when she's about 6 months old. Don't worry she wouldn't be depressed because of not having babies. She will be your baby and don't let her outside it is much saver to keep her as an in-door cat. If you're gone all day make sure to leave her plenty of water and food, I would put out canned and some dry food. When getting the dry food get one that is for kittens You wouldn't need to play with her, she'll well by herself just give her some toys. I found with .my cat when she was younger she liked crumpled up foil paper, You don't need to spend a lot of money on toys, you'll find that they like an empty paper bag, they go in it and have fun. You should take her to a vet and they will tell you about shots. Have fun they are very good company if you are alone.

Answer 6

Requirements for preparation for the before the kitten arrives are as follows:
1) Bed for the kitten to sleep in,
2) Food and Water Bowl
3) Litter tray
4) Supply of food
5) Supply of Cat litter
6) Toys - these dont need to be expensive, kitten happily play with lumps of wool, tin foil, feathers, anything that can be batted around.
7) Kitten scratch post
8) Pet carrier
(remember these thing dont have to be the most expensive of everything and you can use card boxes with an old jumper for a bed and your cat will love it just as much)

To help your kitten settle more quickly ask your friend to put a blanket with the kitten whilst she is still with her mum, this enables to bring something to your home with a scent of her mother. Feliway diffusers can also help with adjustment as these produce naturally reassuring hormones. Your kitten should be a vaccinated at around 9 and 13 weeks of age against (uk vacc) Flu, Enteritis and Leukaemia. This also enables the veterinary surgeon to give your new kit a full health examination. Ask you veterinary surgeon about flea and worming treatment. Your vet clinic may offer a free kitten clinic appintment with a Vet Nurse, her the nurse can give her a free basic health examination, advice on vacc, neutering, nutrition and flea/worm treatment
You should feed the kitten on a good quality kitten food. Whiskas, Iams. Ideally stick to what your friend has been giving the kitten and if necc slowly intergrate a new diet.

While you out keep the kitten confined to a small room or even a cage. Make sure she has easy access to her litter tray and food, and plenty of toys to play with. Ensure the room is kitten proof by removing wires, poisoness plants and breakables.

Female Cats should be neutered (speyed) at around 6 months of age, it is a common myth that kittens should have a litter before being neutered but this has no scientific basis and veterinary experts advise against producing kittens as there are far to many unwanted stray cats. Your veterinary surgeon will advise you on the procedure and will incorporate practice policies.

It may be worth while getting a book from the library or purchase a good book to assist with litter training etc. Catlopaedia is an excellant read.

Finally probably the most important thing to remember is to enjoy your new kitten, enjoy play time and relaxing time as this will make all the hard work worth while.

Good Luck

Answer 7

I agree with the person who said prepare for complete havoc! Also agree with the person that said it would be better for the kitten to be 9-12 weeks old when you get her. Pop her to the vet for a new-pet check. They often don't charge for these, apart from any medicines, and they have the correct instruments to check for e.g. ear mites which are very small and can be passed from the Mum to the kittens. They'll give you the vaccination schedule. Get your kitten micro-chipped as well. Do NOT get it declawed - that's considered cruel and unneccessary. You can train it to use it's scratchpost indoors, and it might need claws to escape from problems - e.g. if a friend brings a dog in the house who wants to play!

Best advice I was given was to check your kittens eyes, ears and teeth every day whilst it is small. Then if there is a problem later on, the cat is used to being checked and doesn't freak out about the investigation.

The value of this was brought home to me when my kittens were a few months old. One of them always had "sleep" in his eye, so I would say "gummy eyes" and wipe the eye clean. He holds his head still if I say "gummy eyes". I didn't do this with his brother, who scratched his eye in a play game. I could NOT get him to hold his head still to look for the problem. That was very stressfull for him and me!

Also put any favourite ornaments etc in a drawer. The kitten doesn't know it can't climb on EVERYTHING. Train it NOT to walk on your kitchen countertops - or hob - from the get-go. A water sprayer is a non-invasive way of deterring them.

My cats sleep when I am out, and get up and come see me for fuss and play when I get home. I know this because my OH gets completely ignored by them whilst I'm at work! But leave your kitten loads of toys. Also leave her water, dry and wet food out. Kittens snack little and often.

Get her spayed. She won't know about having kittens and there are too many unwanted/unhomed cats already.

Answer 8

The correct term for sterilization of a female cat is "spayed". Only male cats are "neutered". And cats don't get depressed when they're not allowed to have kittens, but you should definitely have her spayed as soon as the vet says she can be. Spaying reduces her risk of ovarian and mammary cancer, plus it'll make her a lot easier to live with. If you've never been around a cat that's in heat....well, you don't want to.

Since you're going to be gone for a large part of the day, it would be a good idea to "kitten-proof" a room in your house to keep her in while you're gone. Kittens can get into LOTS of trouble. Electrical cords, bottles of cleaners, plants, high places....all can be dangerous to a kitten. Think of it as like a human baby....not to be trusted since it doesn't know a whole lot about the world around it.

Your best bet is to pick up a copy of Cats for Dummies. It's a wonderful reference book with answers and suggestions for everything you're asking about.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Congratulations on your new kitty! Absolutely she should be spayed as soon as she old enough. She won't be depressed at never being able to have kittens and will live a longer, healthier life. Your vet will be able to guide you as to vaccines. There's rabies, feline leukemia/AIDS and some others. (Been too many years since my "boys" had their kitten shots.) A scratching post is a must if you're not having her front declawed. And of course, a few toys are needed. Good luck with your new friend!

Answer 10

Lots of good advice on here. Only thing I'd add is don't get her declawed, she'll need those claws at some point if only to hang on to the curtains!

Have you got a really good friend/neighbour you can trust who can pop in from time to time during the day if only to talk to her & make sure she has small frequent meals? It's a long time to leave a little kitten all alone during the day.

And be prepared for your house to be taken over by a small, furry commando!

Answer 11

COngratulations on your new kitten.

It sounds like you will be out most of the day, 9 HOURS, plus you will go out on the town occasionally and will stay out longer some days, and if your kitten is home alone all day she will feel VERY lonely. She comes from playing with her brothers and sisters all day long, and then finds herself alone all day long. 9 hours totally on her own, nobody to interact with, to play with, it's a nightmare for a kitten that young. It's not like she can read a book or watch telly all day. Depressing for the poor little thing and stressful for you who will be feeling guilty when you go out in the morning and she follows you to the door and then stays behind it crying. Believe me, it's heartbreaking.
It would be better if you took 2 kittens, they will keep each other company and rely less on you alone to be socialized.

If you want an only cat, consider getting an older cat: they don't mind being alone, as they have less energy than a kitten and feel less lonely, they fit your lifestyle like a glove as they already know everything AND won't keep you up all night running around (YES, that's what ALL kittens do!)

Older cats will love you double as you have rescued them from a cage (your local shelter). I know as I have both an old cat (the best fella in the world!) and a kitten (now grown up) for whom I had to get a mate as I couldn't go to work without her crying all day. Kittens stay kittens for only 6 months.

Whatever your choice, you will need:

1. Litter tray and litter sand, many available and you'll find your cat's favourite by trial and error (poo on the carpet means "I don't like that one much!")

2. Good quality food. Cheap food (GoCat, Whiskas, etc...) is made of 96% corn and 4% meat. Cats are not meant to eat corn, and every penny you save on food you will spend at the vets.
Don't forget to leave fresh water changed daily always down.

3. A good sturdy scratching post. Some that are as tall as the ceiling cost really little (less than small ones!) and your cat/kitten will love climbing up and down, while sharpening her claws and avoid scratching your furniture. DON'T get your poor kitten declawed! It's a barbaric thing to do and illegal in most civilized countries. Would you cut a toddler's fingers off so it won't draw on the walls? Same thing.
Kindly putting her on to the scratching post when you find her scratching around will be enough to teach her it's the place to do that on.

4. Toys. Feather wands, fishing rod type mice, furry mice, crinkly balls, there are so many! I suggest as a best buy a tunnel, and without spending a penny a nice cardboard box or two, with holes cut out to hide and climb.

5. Affection. Your cat will need it EVERY DAY of their life, and it's as important as food and water.

6. Insurance. Peace of mind from all accidents and illnesses.

7. A good cat bed. Your cat will probably sleep with you on your bed or couch or whatever strange place they can think of as comfy, but it's important to show her that she has her own personal space in your home.

A cat that never had kittens can't miss the experience. If you let her have them, then neuter her because it's so hard finding good homes for the kittens, then she might miss it, as she has had them before and might think, why not anymore. So breeding is not a good idea, not even once.

Below are links to the best pages I found on advice and VITAL kitten-proofing to do before taking kitty home, so that she will be safe-prepare to do some reading!

Good luck!