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Congratulations on your decision to bring a new kitten & life long companion into your family!!! There is a lot to get ready to prepare for the arrival of your new bundle of joy but there is nothing more rewarding than watching a kitten at play, whether its with a store bought toy, a piece of wadded up paper or an imaginary piece of lint, it won't take much to keep your new addition entertained (and you entertained too!) Lots of love and attention are the most important things you can give a kitten to prepare it for adulthood as your companion. Listed below are a few tips to help you prepare for the bundle of energy that is about to enter into your life…
First and foremost - if you don't already have a vet, start checking around. You want to find someone you are comfortable with as this is someone you will be dealing with for years to come. It is best to schedule an appointment within a few days of bringing your kitten home to have a check up and to receive any vaccinations that are due.
Next, get all your kitten supplies ready. You will need:
Litter box & Scooper
Kitty Litter - clay is best for kittens as they will sometimes eat it and scoopable can clump in their intestines. It is also best to make sure that you use the same
litter the kitten has been using so she is comfortable with it and knows what it is for. If you would like to switch, wait a week or so and if you have no problems with her, then start adding some of the new with the old until the old is eliminated. (Tip: Make sure that the litter box can be easily accessed at all times by the kitten)
Dishes - stainless steel are the easiest to clean & disinfect. Also dishes that do not easily tip as kittens tend to rest their front paws on the edge.
Food - stick with the brand that your kitten has been eating - any abrupt changes in diet can cause an upset belly and loose stool. If you want to switch later, again, do so gradually by adding new with the old.
Grooming Supplies are essential for a healthy shiny coat. For short haired, a metal tooth comb or a chamois mitt work well. Also cat claw clippers & styptic powder if you plan on clipping your cats claws yourself. See Declawing & Alternatives for more information on trimming claws.
Carrier - for bringing kitty home and transporting to vet. Kittens/cats feel safer in a enclosed area, making car rides more relaxing than running loose in a vehicle. Pad carrier with soft towels or a blanket. When picking up your kitten, rub the towel over his siblings, this can add comfort to the kitten on his new adventure. Also, a stuffed animal placed in the carrier gives the kitty something to snuggle with. A carrier also comes in handy if you need to introduce your kitten to a resident pet.
Scratching Post are essential to ensuring your kitten learns good habits from the start, knowing where to scratch and not to. Pretty is not always better when referring to scratching posts. Cats love to sink their claws into sisal rope or horizontal strips of corrugated cardboard. For more information on scratching - go to Why Cats Scratch. Before jumping into declawing, discuss with your vet all of your options regarding Declawing and Alternatives.
Bed - keep in mind that kittens & cats like to snuggle in warm dark places. You can choose to have your kitten sleep with you. Generally kittens and cats will choose their own sleeping spot, but tend to love basket type soft beds (you may just have to move it to where they want!!).
Toys - a must for all kittens & cats of all ages. These don't need to be expensive toys, sometimes the homemade kind are best! A box with ends cut out makes a fascinating tunnel - a pop box from a 12 pack of pop seems to be a very enticing toy around here. A milk jug cap makes an excellent hockey puck. Or a ping pong ball thrown in a empty laundry basket or a tub provides hours of entertainment! Pipe Cleaners twisted into a coil, or any other shape is also loads of fun and also fun for the kids to create.
Collars or harnesses come in handy when taking your kitty to the vet. Bengals can also be taught to walk on a leash, beware though that once your kitty is exposed to the outdoors, she will always want out and you run the risk of greater dangers exposed to your kitty. They should never be allowed outdoors to free roam. Sometimes its just easiest and safer to keep your kitty indoors.
Kitten Proofing is also a necessity before bringing your kitten home. Look at your home from a kittens point of view. Kittens are naturally curious critters and to ensure the safety of your kitten it is necessary to take care of any dangerous objects or tiny nooks and crannies that your kitten can get stuck in. For more detailed list go to Kitten Proofing your Home.
This is a very exciting time for you and your family. Taking the necessary precautions and having the necessary supplies ahead of time can make your kittens transition into your home happy safe and enjoyable for everyone. Its time to go Pick up your New Kitten!!
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