Bringing a new cat or kitten home is very exciting! To ensure that this is an enjoyable occasion for you and your cat/kitten, there are a few things you need to prepare before the big day.
Some supplies you will need are:
Litter Box
While any litter box should work for your cat, there are many different types for you to choose from.
Some cats prefer one type to another so if you are having problems with your cat not using his/her litter box, a new type may be helpful. Also, cats do not like a dirty litter box so try scooping once a day. Sometimes when a cat is not using its litter box it can indicate a health condition so it may be necessary to make a a trip or phone call to your veterinarian to figure out the cause. If you have more than one cat in your house, a good rule to follow is to have one litter box for each cat, plus one extra.
Open Top Litter Boxes are the cheapest type of litter box, and probaby the type that cats prefer the most
Top Entry Litter Boxes are great for discouraging dogs from playing in the kitty litter, they also cut back on the amount of litter tracking.
Self Cleaning Litter Boxes eliminate scooping for quick and easy disposal(work with clumping/silica litter)
Decorative Litter Boxes work well for keeping your litter box hidden
Covered Litter Boxes help to control odors and covers conveniently lift/snap off for easy cleaning
Teaching Your Kitten To Use The Litter Box
Kittens learn to use a litter box by copying their mother, so when you bring your new kitten home it should already be litter trained. Your task is to reinforce this training in its new environment. Place your kitten in the litter box as soon as you bring it home so it knows where it is, then leave it alone to explore its surroundings so that it knows how to get back. Some people choose to keep their kitten in a bathroom or other small room until it is familiar with the area and slowly open up the entire home to it. A few tips for where to place your kittens litter box are:
-Place the litter tray somewhere that is easily accessible
-Don't put the litter tray in a busy area of the home. Choose a place that is safe and quiet.
-Keep the litter tray away from food and water bowls.
-Put a litter tray on each floor of your home if you have a multi storey home.
Kitty Litter
There are many different types of cat litter to choose from, and the best one to use depends on your cat.
When you bring your kitten home, it is best to start it on the type of kitty litter it is used to using. If you would like to switch to a different cat litter change it slowly, start with a mixture of 1/8 or 1/4 new litter, fill the rest with the old type of litter. If your kitten/cat accepts this, then you can increase it gradually until it is all the new type of litter. Remember, there is a chance your kitten may not like the type of litter you want it to use. Different types of cat litter you can try are:
Traditional (non-clumping) Cat Litter - Inexpensive and widely available, tracks less than clumping litter, but needs to be changed at least once a week.
Clumping Kitty Litter - Used litter can be scooped out easily so it doesn't need to be changed as often as traditional cat litter, should be scooped at least once a day. Cats generally prefer the fine texture to that of the traditional litter.
Silica Gel Litter - most absorbant type of litter and eliminates odours almost immediately.
Natural Kitty Litter - more environmentally friendly than other types, also not as dusty. Works best with a sifting typle of litter box.
Litter Scoop
If you decide to use a clumping type of litter you are going to need a litter scoop. There are many to choose from, some work better than others. Some of the top rated are:
Water Bowl
Your new kitten will need clean fresh water. Be sure to clean your cats water dish regularely and give him or her fresh water daily. Keep your cats water dish in a quiet location away from its litter box to encourage him or her to drink. Hydration is an important part of your cat's overall health. Any significant increase or decrease in your cat's daily water intake could be a sign of illness, so pay attention to how much your cat is drinking and if you are concerned make a visit to your veterinarian. There are many different types of water dishes you can use, made of plastic, ceramic or stainless steel. Different cats may prefer a certain type to the other.
Stainless Steel - The best & safest kind to use, they are easiest to clean / disinfect, and do not break.
Ceramic Bowls - come in many different styles & colors, but may chip or break
Plastic Bowls - tend to grow more bacteria than stainless steel so you will need to clean them more often. Also, some cats have a skin sensitivity to plastic and can develop feline acne.
Water fountains are a good way to encourage your cat to drink more because it helps keep their water fresh.
Food Dish
Just like your kittens water dish, its food dish needs to be cleaned regularely. The bowl should sit low enough for the cat to eat comfortably but have high enough sides to keep the food inside.
Stainless Steel - easiest to keep clean, sturdy and won't break
Ceramic - come in many different colors/patterns, heavy so they won't move, but can chip or break
Plastic - cheapest option, can collect bacteria if not cleaned regularely, lightweight so may move around when your cat is eating
Gravity Feeders - good if you have multiple cats, (depending on your cats, you may need to have seperate bowls for each to eat from), also work well if you are going away if your cat does not over eat
Automatic Feeder - a good option for when you go away or if you have a cat that will gorge on his/her food.
Kitten Food
Cats have specific needs when it comes to their diet. Because they are 'obligate' carnivores (they need to eat meat, it is not just a preference for them) it is very important to give your cat a nutritionally balanced food to prevent health problems such as heart disease and blindness. Do not give you cat dog food as it does not contain the nutrients your cat needs. Also, kittens have different requirements than adults, so you should choose a formula created for kittens until your kitten reaches approximately one year of age. The label on your cat food contains feeding instructions. These guidelines are very general recommendations, and it's possible that your kitten may need more or less food than the label suggests. Talk to your vet to be sure you're feeding your kitten the right amount and type of food. When switching the main food your kitten or cat is eating, do it gradually over approximately 10-14 days to prevent digestive upset. Start with a mixture of 3/4 regular food to 1/4 new food for a few days, followed by a 50/50 mixture, and switching to 1/4 old food to 3/4 new food, then switching completely to the new food.
There are two main types of commercial cat food; wet and dry. Most cats would prefer a mixture of both wet and dry food throughout the day, but you can choose whatever suits your particular needs. Your cat will meet his/her nutritional requirements with either one. Some people also choose to feed their cat a raw food diet
Dried Food - Cheaper than wet cat food, it can be left in the bowl throughout the day as long as your cat is not the type to overeat. Cats who are fed dry food tend to have fewer problems with their teeth.
Wet Food - has a high water content which helps your cat meet its water intake needs to prevent illness. Cats generally prefer the taste of wet food, however, it is more expensive and doesnt keep long once opened. If your cat is off food for any reason (unwell, new home etc.) offering wet food may encourage him or her to eat.
Raw Food - A raw food diet can be very healthy for your cat. If you choose to feed your cat a raw food diet, do your research to be sure your cat is getting all the nutrition it needs. Raw cat food must be fresh; cats do not have the metabolic means to digest "ripe" food and get rid of any toxic byproducts.
Items that are recommended or will be needed after the initial introduction are:
Cat Bed
Toys
Pet Carrier
Nail Clippers
Brush or Comb
