What to buy first
A tray, a bed, dishes, food - that’s what a kitten needs. Before bringing your baby to a new home, it is important to provide him with everything he needs.
Note! Expensive houses and play complexes look very nice, but you can do without them; it is often enough to make a pet bed from an old sweater or cardboard box.
Any pet should have its own dishes made from high-quality safe materials and comfortable
A carrying bag is what else is needed for a kitten; it is in it that the owner will take the baby to a new home. Don't underestimate the importance of this purchase or replace it with a regular bag. The carrier is specially designed for transporting animals, therefore it is resistant to their claws, and the presence of a mesh wall allows the pet to observe what is happening and avoid stress.
Bowls and food
A supply of high-quality food from the “For the Little Ones” lines and three bowls is what a small kitten needs in the first days of his stay in the house. If you can do without toys and shampoo for some time, then food is needed immediately. Tips for choosing it:
- When buying a kitten from a nursery, you should check with the breeder what brand the baby consumed and buy that one. In the future, if the owner wishes, it will be possible to switch the pet to natural food, for example, chicken, whole grains, with the addition of vegetables and fruits;
- fresh, clean water should be available at all times;
- It is not recommended to buy cheap economy-class food; for the health of the kitten, it is important to provide it with products of at least super premium class.
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It is important to choose quality bowls. Cheap plastic models are certainly beautiful, often decorated with cat faces. But they have a specific smell and release formaldehyde into the air, so they are dangerous not only for the pet, but also for the owner. Choose ceramic or metal. The first ones are environmentally friendly, but your pet can accidentally break them and get hurt.
Note! Metal bowls are durable, but if the material is not coated with a protective coating, they can become rusty.
Tray and filler
A good litter box and environmentally friendly litter are what a cat needs, even if it’s a tiny one. When choosing, consider the following points:
- Even a kitten can turn over a light pot;
- the sides should not be high or too low; it is important that the baby feels comfortable going to the toilet;
- closed models are aesthetically pleasing; they hide excrement behind their walls, but it can be more difficult to accustom a kitten to them than to open pots.
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Wood or Japanese corn filler is better suited. They are environmentally friendly and safe for the baby. A clay version with medium-sized granules is also suitable.
Important! Silicone fillers absorb odors well, but if a kitten accidentally eats a few granules, this is fraught with health problems, so it is better to stick with a natural composition.
Where to buy a kitten
As a rule, people are divided into those who pick up kittens from the street and those who purchase them for money from various specialized breeders.
This is a personal matter for everyone, but it is better to purchase a kitten from a breeder so that it is healthy and vaccinated in order to minimize the risks of various complications with the kitten’s health.
It is better to purchase a kitten from the home where it grew up with its mother.
Looking at how a cat cares for kittens, you can see that she shows them how to sharpen their claws - this significantly reduces the likelihood that the kitten will peel off the sofa, wallpaper, etc.
Care items
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A comb, a furminator, shampoos, liquid silk, powder, a toothbrush and toothpaste - this is what you need for kittens that have already settled into the house. Skin care products are not essential items, but they need to be acquired gradually. You should not wash your cat with human shampoo, even baby shampoo, as it will wash away the protective layer from the animal’s skin.
Note! Clothes are purchased for the sphinxes. Representatives of the breed are at risk from drafts and cold floors, which is why it is recommended to wear warm blouses and overalls even at home.
The set of things necessary for a kitten includes medications for fleas and worms. In nurseries, babies are treated before vaccination, but later deworming becomes the responsibility of the owner.
Hygiene procedures will help keep your pet's coat in good condition.
House or place to sleep
Don’t think that an expensive bed or a beautiful house is what you need to buy for a small kitten. The baby really needs its own place, but it should be comfortable and safe, and only then beautiful and attractive. Cats love to sleep in boxes, so you can build your pet a bed from an ordinary cardboard product, in which you place a warm robe or an old sweater.
They love cats and medium-sized houses, so it is not advisable to purchase structures that are impressive in size. Suitable bed sizes are 40 cm in diameter, for representatives of some breeds ("British", Maine Coons) - up to 60 cm. You can buy small houses for kittens so that they can be comfortable and calm in them.
When choosing a material, it is better to choose a high-quality natural, but durable one. Examples: velor, flock, microfiber. They are soft, resistant to sharp claws, and retain heat well. Modern anti-claw fabric is considered the most durable, which is not afraid of even the sharpest claws.
Note! Beds and houses need to be washed and cleaned of wool from time to time.
Holofiber and padding polyester are suitable as fillers. They do not harbor parasites, and they are also environmentally friendly. For active playful pets, open houses are purchased, for modest ones - closed ones.
Kitten health
Once you get a kitten, start listening to word of mouth. After all, it is very important to find YOUR veterinarian! Based on the advice of friends or reviews on the Internet, it will not be difficult for you to do this. At the first meeting, ask your future family doctor about nutritional recommendations, options for fighting parasites, the first signs of disease, and get a schedule of vaccinations and visits to the veterinarian.
Deworming a kitten
About 7 days before the first vaccination you need to do deworming. Subsequently, kittens undergo this procedure every three months until one year. It is optimal to use broad-spectrum drugs for the prevention of parasites.
Flea control
Fleas are no joke. It’s especially not funny for the little ones who have these parasites. They cause itching, allergies, dermatitis, lead to exhaustion and the development of blood diseases! Have we scared you? Anti-flea products come in five types: drops, sprays, shampoos, collars, tablets. Do not rely on your choice if your pet is still very young, but consult your veterinarian.
Vaccination
IMPORTANT! It is necessary to vaccinate both animals that live in the yard and those that do not leave the apartment. Both the first and second can get sick equally, so it’s better to be safe.
Kittens are vaccinated for the first time at the age of 8-9 weeks. In this case, vaccinations that do not contain the rabies virus are used.
Revaccination is carried out when the kitten is 12 weeks old. This complex vaccine already contains the rabies virus.
The next revaccination takes place once a year and then once every year.
The scheme may change slightly. Your veterinarian will suggest the best one.
nail clipper
In their natural environment, cats often have to climb trees, so their claws wear down on their own. At home, the pet is forced to damage furniture and walls in order to solve its problem. A quality nail clipper will help bring him back to order. This hygiene item is an example of what a cat needs from the first weeks of his stay in the house.
Main types of nail clippers:
- guillotine. Consists of an area to place the claw, blade and trigger. The principle of operation is similar to the operation of terrible execution equipment. Easy to use, just be careful;
- pruner Resembles garden shears and consists of blades, handles, guards or stops;
- scissors. The simplest model, the principle of operation coincides with the features of ordinary household scissors.
Note! For a kitten, it doesn’t really matter which model will be used for trimming its claws, so when choosing, you should focus on your own preferences. Whichever version of the nail clipper the owner can handle is the one that should be chosen.
When purchasing a nail clipper, the owner needs to choose the model that is most convenient for him to use.
scratching post
If you don’t want to cut your nails or it’s not possible, then a specially equipped play corner will come to the rescue. You can buy it in a store, order it from a craftsman, or even make it yourself using a model from the Internet. In any case, it should be made from natural parts - wood, hemp, burlap. The parts are fastened with silicone glue or large nails with a decorative cap.
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Veterinarians advise paying attention to:
- No smell, there shouldn't be any. This will repel the kitten and become a source of allergies for the person.
- Strength. All parts must hold tightly, the edges are firmly sewn, and the shelves and pipes must withstand the pressure of an adult’s hand.
- Safety. All surfaces should be carefully smoothed with your palms to look for loose nails, staples, etc. If there is a piercing or scratching sensation, it will definitely damage either the mouth or the paw.
- Dimensions. The house should not be tiny so that the kitten does not get stuck or get bored.
Toys
Decorative mice, feather teasers, and balls are on the list of what a kitten needs in an apartment. From the first months of life in a new home, a small family member should be provided with everything necessary for fun. Basic requirements for toys:
- absence of small parts that the cat can chew off and swallow;
- use of natural materials for production. Fabric toys are good. You can also choose plastic ones, but from good PVC. They do not have a specific unpleasant odor;
- When choosing, it is important to focus on the preferences of the kitten, and not the taste of the owner. Often, a pet begins to feel delighted with an ordinary sock stuffed with cotton wool, ignoring expensive entertainment. Its taste is worth reckoning with.
Note! You should not chase the number of toys; it is much more important to devote enough time to your pet.
Carrying
This is the one that is purchased first, since the kitten will go to its new home in this bag. You can choose a fabric bag or a plastic box. If you plan to travel with your pet, immediately purchase a carrier with a closed bottom. It is important that the kitten gets used to the bag from early childhood and does not experience stress while in it.
Special carrier bags with mesh walls help reduce stress when moving to a new home
Starting list
From the first day in the house, the kitten should feel that he has a home, that he is cared for, protected, provided with personal space and that no one will encroach on his freedom. The places where the cat will rest, eat, and relieve its needs must contain the essentials. The primary set includes the following items:
- food bowls, a mat for them, food;
- carrying bag;
- cat bed;
- scratching post;
- toys;
- care products.
Everything is purchased in a specialized store, having studied the assortment. But some things are made on their own, investing a piece of their soul and saving money. This could be a cozy bed, bedding, trinkets, or a designer scratching post. The list can be expanded at the owner’s discretion (leash, harness), but the basics are included.
Ammunition
A harness is what you need to bring a kitten into your home, especially if the pet is a large breed like a Bengal or Maine Coon. These cats are often taken for walks, giving the pet the opportunity to splash out energy and not be naughty at home. The harness should be comfortable, so choose a model with several sizes, taking into account that the baby will gradually grow.
The Y-shaped model with a chest bar is suitable for cats of all breeds, but should be taught to wear it from childhood. Harnesses and vests are comfortable and additionally protect your pet from cold, moisture and precipitation, but they are more expensive than other models.
Important! It is unacceptable to take a kitten outside until it has received all the necessary vaccinations.
Purchasing kitten supplies will make caring for your baby much easier.
It is important to buy things for kittens in advance, so that by the time the baby arrives in the house, he already has everything he needs for comfort. When deciding what you need to get a kitten, it is important to focus not on your own taste, but on the comfort and safety of the baby.
Kitten nutrition
Everything that is not prohibited is permitted. In fact, this is the basic rule for creating a cat menu. But centuries of coexistence between people and cats have given rise to a lot of gastronomic myths. Care and feeding (and especially feeding) is an area of special responsibility. The approach to nutrition must be scientific - this is the basic rule of caring for kittens. The right menu is equally important for purebred kittens or their not so aristocratic brothers!
What should you not feed your kitten?
We warn you right away - there are many prohibitions and some of them will really surprise you. For example, we recommend forgetting about such “popular” milk. The cat’s body simply does not digest it and you will have to frequently remove undigested products from the tray.
In addition to milk, kittens should not:
- bones (chicken, fish);
- pork, goose, duck;
- sausages, smoked meats, saltiness;
- sweets in any form;
- potato;
- legumes;
- fish;
- egg white;
- salt, spices.
Read more about the bans here.
What should you feed your kitten? Natural nutrition
And again, we warn you right away - the food from your table is not suitable for a kitten. Be prepared to let your baby cook separately. So, what can and should be included in a kitten’s diet:
- raw frozen beef;
- boiled chicken meat;
- beef or chicken by-products;
- egg yolk;
- milk porridge (only for babies under 3 months);
- dairy products;
- cereals;
- vegetables raw or boiled.
And all this is not salty, warm and, of course, fresh!
Ready-made feed
Experts believe that ready-made industrial food significantly saves time on preparing breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner for a kitten. In addition, they are well balanced and with this diet there is no need to give the kitten additional vitamins.
Small animals are fed only with dry ready-made food (canned food is exclusively for adults!)
What feed should I buy? Those marked: “Premium” or “Superpremium”. Cheap ready-made food, alas, too often causes diseases, sometimes incurable.
For kittens you need to buy specialized baby food.
You should not mix food from different companies; such nutrition is no longer considered balanced.
Kitten diet
At home, it is better to feed a kitten on a schedule. If the baby is 2 months old, then he is fed 5 times a day.
A six-month-old kitten is fed less often, up to 3 times a day.
An 8-month-old kitten is equivalent to an adult cat and receives food 2 times a day.
Some breeds are prone to obesity, so regularly measure 90-60-90 and do not overfeed the animal.
