Kitten Food

Kittens should start out eating what the breeder has been feeding him/her. Whether that’s dry or wet food, raw or not. This will make the transition easier on them and you. Switching abruptly can cause gastrointestinal issues and food avoidance. Stick with food for kittens if they are under 1 year as it is specifically formulated to meet the higher nutritional needs of a growing kitten, containing more calories, protein, and essential nutrients like calcium and phosphorus to support their rapid development. When switching food, make sure you research the food and choose food with high protein. The type of protein should be listed first in the list of ingredients. Avoid foods with lots of fillers.

Food & Water

You’ll want bowls that are stable, with a wide base that won’t tip over easily. Many cats will avoid bowls that touch their whiskers, so manufacturers have come up with some solutions like angled bowls, lifted bowls and the like.

Decide if you want to use a water bowl or a fountain. There are benefits to each. The water in a traditional water bowl will need to be changed daily to provide fresh water for your cat. Fountains may not need to be changed as frequently, but that can lead to forgetting to add water and change out the water periodically. Filters for fountains should be changed out every 2-4 weeks, so consider that added expense, as well.

Litterbox

It is recommmended that you have one litterbox per cat in your household. When choosing your litterbox, think about the long term. getting your cat used to a particular type of litterbox, and then switching later on can lead to litterbox rejection. So think about what their needs are now and what they will be in the future. As they age, they may require a lower sided litterbox to avoid joint pain getting in and out of their litterbox. On the other hand, if you start out with a robotic type of litterbox, you may be stuck with that kind forever.

There are many types of litterboxes to choose from

• covered
• uncovered
• stainless steel
• plastic
• disposable
• robotic litterbox

Litter

There are several types of litter out there. Find out what works for you and your cat. They all have their pros and cons.

• clay
  • clumping
  • non-clumping
• crystals
• tofu
• silica gel
• pine
• corn
• wheat
• walnut
• paper

Cat Bed

You’ll need to provide comfortable sleeping areas for your kitten. A cat bed is just one option. You can buy a cat bed, cat baskets, blankets, cat trees; all of these can be great options. Even a cardboard box is a great option. In fact, I have one cat that prefers a hard, cold end table as her favorite place to sleep even though I have provided numerous fluffy, cozy items. They will choose their place to relax, but you want to give them options.

Scratching Options

Cats scratch. They sharpen their claws. It’s instinctual behavior. It’s essential to provide them with scratching posts, rough doormat style rugs, corrugated cardboard and other items for them to sharpen their claws. This will help save your furniture in the long run.

Toys

Toys are important for cats’ intellectual and emotional health. Providing enrichment through playtime will help keep your cat happy, and is one way to prevent behavioral issues. Cats need to hunt and their hunting instincts don’t just go away by making them an indoor cat. The following is a list of just a few ideas to keep them happy:

• teaser wand with toy on the end
• feathers on a stick
• springs, balls, play mice
• puzzles
• toys that move or make sounds
• tunnels
• homemade toys like boxes, bags, milk rings

Avoid things like yarn and rubber bands, as they can strangle themself, choke or even become impacted from ingesting these items.

Cat Carrier

Trips to the vet are part of owning a cat. Choose a nice, spacious carrier; one that will be easy to transport the cat to and from the car. Travel carriers with safety measures are a great option, as they can be buckled in for extra safe travels.

Grooming Tools

Cats get messy, they have accidents or step in their own feces. I have one that gets a messy chin every time she eats. You’ll need various things like:

• cat safe shampoo
• waterless spray or foaming wash for spot cleaning
• toothpaste
• toothbrush
• brush
• de-matting spray
• de-matting comb/brush
• washcloths
• nail clippers
• grooming clippers
• grooming scissors