kitten are endearing balls of mischief and playfulness . And if you ’ve recently adopted one — you’re in for many yr of felid shenanigans and companionship . To part your human relationship on the good mitt , you ’re go to want to gather all the supplying your kitten needs for a affectionate welcome home .
give away for your Modern kittencanfeel consuming . But with this ready to hand new kitten checklist , set your home for your bundle of joy will be a cinch .
How to Kitten-Proof Your Home
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Julie Liu , an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional , is all too familiar with kitten antics . That ’s why she tell kitten - proofing is a must before fill your habitation with new kitten essentials . Before welcome your kitty into your home , check that the following tasks are complete :
What Items Do I Need for My New Kitten?
Between bouts of play and exploration , your kitten will work up an appetence , desire a intimate place to nap , and will want to go potty . And she ’ll look to you for essential care . Here ’s everything to purchase your novel kitten to keep her feel her undecomposed through kittenhood and beyond .
1. Cat Carrier
institute your fresh household member home requires acarrier that will keep your kitten safeduring travelling . If you have more than one kitty , they should each have their own fittingly sized flattop .
2. Kitten Food
Your kitten hasa lot of growingto do , and they ’ll neednutrient - carry kitty foodthat can stick out their rapid growth spurt . " kitten have different nutritionary needs than grownup cats , so they should be course kitten nutrient , " Liu says . Specifically , she adds , one labeled for growth .
When select kitten solid food , reach for kitten wet food for thought in gain to or in position of kitten kibble . " tinned food is high in water intake , keeping them hydrated and palpate full , " Liu excuse .
3. Food and Water Bowls
solid food and water bowls come in all SHAPE , size of it , and even heights . When decide between anelevated bowl , dull birdfeeder , orautomatic feeder , consider your lifestyle , the size of it of your kitten , and their eating habits . If your kitty sleep together trickle water supply , consider spoiling her with acat water system outpouring .
4. Treats
Liu says crunchy , pea - sized treat will make any kitten purr . Plus , she adds , snaffle some gamy - note value goody like the widely loved Churu . " Smearing some Churu onto a Lickimat to distract your kitten during brushing or nail trim preparation workings like a charm for most kittens , " she says .
5. Nail Trimmer
snip your cat ’s nailswon’t just protect your piece of furniture — routine nail trims protect your cat from painful ingrown nail and awful infection . Getting into the habitat of nail trims when your cat is just a kitten will make the project easygoing throughout life , and pick out the rightcat nail clipperswill help ease the chore .
6. Brush or Comb
Brushing your kittenwill off loose fuzz , keep away mats and tangles , and promote hairball - free days — plus grooming sessions are the arrant opportunity to bond with your new feline acquaintance .
7. Toothbrush and Kitty Toothpaste
You read that right ! Liu says a pocket-size toothbrush and kitty toothpaste should be on your list of items to get for a raw kitten . Your kitty will exuviate her child tooth by the clock time she ’s four calendar month old , replacing them with amouthful of grownup pearly-white whites . To keep her teeth healthy and preclude bad breathing place , a sore mouth , and periodontic disease , you ’ll desire to introduce your kitten toteeth brushingas early as possible .
8. Toys
There ’s a wide variety ofkitten toyson the market , and your playful companion will love a spread out natural selection of soft toys to transmit around , toy mice to swat , and catnip toy dog to bunny girl rush . Interactive wand will drive your kittenish feline brainsick , plus they promote human - kitten soldering . " Two of my favorites are the Da Bird wand miniature and the Cat Dancer , " Liu say . " Just ensure that your kitten is n’t left alone with anything they could potentially swallow . "
9. Scratching Post
" Beds , trees , and scrape posts all create an enriched surround for kittens , " Liu says . " If you do n’t cater unlike outlets for scratching or climb , your kitten will be scratching where youdon’t desire them to scratch . " Luckily , there are countlessscratching post optionsto match your aesthetic , or get creative andmake your own .
10. Cat Bed
Of course , one of yourkitten ’s favourite place to napwill be your circle — or chest , orhead , or wherever she please , really . But your kitty will also prize a bed she can call her own . A computed tomography ’s soundbox temperature is a few degrees higher than ours , meaning they prefer cozy temporary . So , opine of cozy fleecebeds , cave , and cubbyhole .
11. Cat Tree
Liu recommends at least one cat tree diagram or tower that is ideally 6 foot tall . Look for asturdy treewith a combining of perches , cubbyhole , and carpet or R-2 . If you do n’t have the space for a large cat Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , do n’t fret ! There are plenty ofcat tree optionsfor small place and flat dweller . Plus , addingcat - friendly shelvingandwindow percheswill make any space complete .
12. Litter and Litter Box
adept intelligence : Potty train a kittenis typically easier than potty education a puppy . Liu says to start up with at least two kitten - sized bedding material boxes ( one litter box per cat plus one ) and increase the boxes in size of it as your furball grows . Kittens do n’t call for special kitten bedding material , but Liu prefer unscented clunking litter .
13. ID Tag and Collar
If your kitten sneaks out an open room access or window , anID and collarwill be the first clue that she has a home and who to call . No matter your kitty ’s personal fashion , the neckband should be a breakaway collar that unclips if snag . But , Liu summate , microchipsare the most " effective way of being reunite with your kitty if they accidentally scat . "
New Kitten Vet Checklist
Soon after get in base , you ’ll want to schedule your kitten ’s first of manyroutine vet visits . To prepare for their lifelong vet visits and any unexpected medical costs , consider addingpet insuranceto your new kitten care checklist .
Your first few vet visit will bet on your kitty ’s geezerhood and if they came home fixed and microchipped . Liu says you could have a bun in the oven their examination andvaccine scheduleto await something like this :
If you dramatize your kitten from a shelter , they likely came homespayed or neuteredand microchipped . If your kitten is n’t fixed , veterinary surgeon urge the procedure as other as 5 months of age before kittens reach sexual maturity . Typically , your vet will be happy to implant a microchip during the procedure .
Photo: Tatyana Gladskih / Adobe Stock
Grace Canaan
