Bringing a new kitten home is a big event. You’ll need a few things to make the transition smooth for the kitten and yourself.
1. Royal Canin Mother & Babycat Dry Food
It’s important to remember that you cant over feed a kitten. They need nutritious high calorie food to grow healthy and strong. Free feed your kitten this dry food throughout the day and try to always keep their bowl at least halfway full. I recommend Royal Canin because it’s recommended highly by the ethical breeders I have purchased my Maine Coons through.
2. Royal Canin Mother & Babycat Wet Food
Along with dry food you should be feeding your kitten as much wet food as they’ll eat. Once your kitten is settled try first feeding 1/4th to 1/2 can to gauge your kittens appetite. If they’re regularly cleaning their plate then try adding a little more. It’s not uncommon for cat’s appetites to fluctuate from day to day. Make sure to refrigerate opened cans! I recommend Royal Canin because it’s recommended highly by the ethical breeders I have purchased my Maine Coons through.
3. Nail Clippers
It’s important to start nail clipping early. Try handling your kittens paws gently throughout the day to get them used someone touching their paws. Make sure to reward your kitten with scratches (or by letting them run away to hide after their trying ordeal!).
4. Churu Cat Treats
Churu is a great treat for cats, it’s a wet food treat that comes in a tube. After nail clippings or brushings try giving your kitten a tube of Churu to reward them and associate positive things with grooming.
5. Stainless Steel Comb
These might be a little big for your kitten at first but they’re an important addition to your grooming kit, especially if your cat has longer hair. They’ll gently de-tangle and hold up well to kitten and cat teeth.
6. Cat Carrier
It may be tempting to get a smaller carrier but you’ll want to buy one for the size of the cat you’ll have, not the size of the kitten you have now. Put an old towel or some potty pads in the bottom and you’ll have an easy clean up for any accidents that may occur when transporting your precious cargo.
7. Stainless Steel Litter Box
I highly recommend getting a stainless steel litter box. Stainless steel doesn’t hold smells like plastic and is easy to clean and disinfect. You’ll want a larger litter box than you think your cat needs, they need a lot of space to do their business otherwise you could get an oopsies just outside the box from a mis-aimed squat.
8. Cat Kick Toy
Kick toys are important for cat’s and kittens as they have an instinct to grab and “kick” at their prey/stuffie/human arm. Kick toys are great because it allows them to kick and bite and claw at something that’s not your arm or furniture. This helps your kitten to learn what’s acceptable to try to tear apart while also mentally stimulating them.
9. Box Scratcher
Cats love boxes and your kitten probably will too. This isn’t the most resilient purchase you’ll make but it’s worth the money. They can scratch, bite, claw and laze away in their cardboard box until it’s time to retire it.
Cat Toys
I could list a hundred different cat toys from Amazon but in all reality, cats will play with just about anything. A crumpled ball of wrapping paper, a plastic spring, a cardboard box, you get what I mean. When browsing Petco, PetSmart, or Amazon for cat toys just think simple, you don’t really need a light up toy that zooms around, you might just need the plastic fishing rod with a string on the end. Or even just tie a show string to a stick, that would work just as well as a $25 toy from the store.
And Finally…
You can never overfeed a kitten.
Wet food is important for your kitten’s diet and kidney health down the road.
Playing with your kitten every day is important. It’s tempting to think cats don’t need as much attention as dogs but that is mostly untrue. Cat’s need a lot of mental stimulation or they will take it out on your couch.
Buy a bigger litter box than you need.
And last of all, enjoy all the happy years with your new furry friend!
Tags: cat, Dogs, kittens, pets