Congratulations on becoming the proud new owner of your very own ball of fur! Whether you’re a seasoned cat owner or this may be your first kitten, you may have questions as to what to do to prepare before your new bundle of joy comes home and what to expect when the kitten arrives. I’ve put together this information to assist you with the process and give some pointers as to what to do to make the transition easier.
Before the Kitten Arrives: The Shopping List
Before you bring your kitten home, you will want to go out and make a few purchases so that you’ll be prepared when the kitten arrives. This includes the following items:
Cat Carrier: |
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A cat carrier is needed to keep your kitten safe and comfortable during transport. Whether it be a local trip to the vet or transport on a airplane cross country, it is a good idea to have one for your kitten. When bringing the kitten home, it is highly suggested that a small blanket or plush towel lines the bottom of the carrier with the scents of the kitten’s mother and litter mates. In addition, place a few of the kitten’s favorite toys in there and you’ll have a comfortable place for your kitten to travel in on the way to its new home.
Kitten Food: |
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Always ask the breeder what kind of kitten food that your kitten eats. You don’t want to “shock” the kitten’s delicate stomach with another brand but gradually transition to a different kitten food later on (if you choose to). You’ll want to keep your kitten on kitten food for about a year and then transition to adult cat food. At Timberkatz Cattery, we always provide a small bag of kitten food that the kitten is already accustomed for the trip home.
Food and Water Bowls: |
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Your kitten will need to be provided with fresh food and water daily. We suggest the use of ceramic dishes as opposed to plastic or metal. Plastic can be scratched and bacteria accumulate in those scratches. Metal can leave an after taste for both water and food. Ceramic doesn’t scratch, no after taste and can be easily cleaned everyday so that’s why we recommend it. Lastly, both the food and water bowls should be emptied and washed daily so that bacteria and germs don’t accumulate on the surfaces.
Grooming Set: |
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A soft bristled brush, a grooming comb and nail clippers are the essential tools needed to keep your kitten in top groomed condition. You won’t need to use all of these items right away but after the kitten has settled into your home, you will want to establish a weekly grooming regiment. By introducing a grooming routine early on, it will be much easier to groom your kitten when it becomes an adult cat.
Litter Tray and Scoop: |
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Have a litter tray waiting that you will introduce to your kitten immediately when you bring him or her home. There are many types available but for now, I would just get the basic tray that’s low to the ground so your kitten can easily get in and out of. In time, you’ll need a larger litter box but for now, a basic one will do.
If your kitten has an accident, wipe it up and place it in the litter tray. After a few times of doing this, your kitten will know the correct place to do their business . Please don’t punish the kitten because this will not solve the behavior, just place the accident in the litter tray and eventually the kitten will learn where to go.
The litter tray should be scooped at least once a day maybe twice if needed. Kittens are sensitive to ordors so keep the tray clean and your kitten happy! Some kittens will want to have two litter trays since some like to deficate in one and urinate in the other. Not all kittens or cats do this but we have met some picky ones at our cattery.
Please do not use clumping litter, kittens sometimes eat their litter and the clumping kind can expand in their stomachs or intestines causing blockages. It’s much easier to scoop some litter versus taking your little furball to the vet for emergency surgery.
Scratching Post: |
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Let’s think of your kitten as a hotel guest and what would you do as a guest? That’s right, check-in and check-out. That’s what kittens/cats do when they enter a room so you’ll want to provide them an area or two they may “check-in” or “check-out” whenever they want to without destroying your furniture. Provide at least one and sometimes two good scratching post in the rooms where the kitten likely to be the most. Placement of the scratching post(s) should be out of the way for you and but accessible for your kitten. I would suggest placing the scratching post on the side of your sofa or chair that is closest to the entrance of the room. That way, the kitten will go for the scratching post and not for the side of your furniture closest to the entrance of your room.
Having problems getting your kitten to use the scratching post? Pickup some catnip spray or catnip at your local pet store and spray or rub some on the scratching post. Not all kittens like catnip but most do so try that to see if it interests them.
If you kitten doesn’t seem to be using the scratching post or doesn’t know how to use one yet, don’t worry, this can be learned behavior. The next time you see you bundle of fur starting to scratch, gently pickup the kitten and place next to the scratching post. You can then gently place their front legs on the scratching post and see if they get the hint. Over time the kitten usually figures it out and your furniture is saved.
Timberkatz Cattery Top 5 Cat Toys
Cat Toys: |
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Play for the kitten prepares them for when they get older and in the wild teaches the young kitten to hunt. At the Timberkatz Cattery, we have gone though more toys than you can think of. The ones that have stood the test of time and made the Timberkatz Top 5 Cat Toy List are as follows:
5. Balls – Whether they have little bells or ball bearings inside or nothing at all, kittens love to chase these and it builds up their agility as well as their stalking abilities.
4. Cat Tunnel – Kittens love to explore and these tunnels are fun for the kitten. Plus, you can always play “peek-a-boo” with your kitten with one of these.
3. Cat Teasers – Make sure you stay away from the feather or metal ribbon cat teasers, they get obliterated by our Maine Coons and then the kitten or cat can choke on the leftovers of these teasers. Go with a fabric or leather/suede strip cat teaser, their more durable, last longer and we find our Maine Coon prefer them to the other fore mentioned cat teasers.
2. Turbo Scratcher – It’s a toy and scratching surface that’s renewable after lots of use. All of our kittens have loved this toy and the “BIG CATS” too.
1. Laser Pointer – The number one thing kittens and cats alike love. They will play with this until they are exhausted but be careful not to shine this in their eyes since it can cause damage. The best source I’ve found is Edmund Scientific for a pen laser pointer that will last for 3 continuous hours on 2 AA batteries with a cost under $19.95 with S & H.
Before the Kitten Arrives: Kitten Proof Your Home
Before your kitten arrives, it is extremely important that your home is kitten proofed before the kitten comes home. Put all dangerous cleaning products, pesticides or antifreeze away and out of reach from your new bundle of joy. If you have loose cupboard doors, child locks are inexpensive and can be bought at any hardware store. Just remember that your kitten in many respects like an infant and doesn’t know what is and what isn’t dangerous in your home.
I’ve written an exclusive and thorough article titled: How to Kitten Proof Your Home which breaks down what to look for in each room of your home and what hazards to avoid your kitten getting into. Please read it and learn from it because the life you may save is that of your precious kitten.
Good luck with your new bundle of joy!
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