Essential Items For Your New Kitten

Bringing home a new kitten is an exciting time. It is important to prepare in advance for the new arrival to ensure they settle in as quickly and comfortably as possible. Before you get your new kitten, remember to make an appointment with your local vet. That way you will know for sure that your kitten is healthy and happy.
Food
The vet can also advise you which food is best to get your cat. Try and get some of the food she was given at the pet store or breeders as a sudden change in diet could be very stressful. If you want to change the kind of food she is eating, introduce the new brand or mix gradually so she has time to adjust.
There are lots of different types of foods available but it is very important to get one that made especially for kittens. As they are still growing, they need lots of nutrients and could face serious health problems if they don"t get them.
Food and water bowls
It is important for your new kitten or cat to have their own food and water bowls, especially if you have other pets. Introducing her to these from the start will help her feel more at home. Try and find a permanent place for them before you bring the cat home so she will always know where she needs to go for food.
Litter box and litter
This is essential for cats. Most, if not all, will use a litter tray rather than go outside, even if they are outdoor cats. Most litter trays will be suitable for kittens but when the cat grows it is worth investing in one with high sides as cats like to scatter the litter around!
Make sure the tray is in a private place where the cat won"t be disturbed. It might be a good idea to get odour-reducing litter too.
Cat carrier
Cats are not like dogs; they do not like to be walked and will probably want to play with a leash rather than use it. Therefore, a cat carrier is absolutely essential. Not only will it be useful for carrying your cat home but any trips to the vet will become much simpler.
A cat carrier needs to be sturdy enough to support the cat"s weight and secure so that they can"t get out.
Toys
Kittens are wonderfully playful creatures and interacting with them using toys can be a great way for you two to bond. Anything dangly is always a big hit with cats and it is possible to get toys with catnip in them too. It is really important to check the toys regularly for wear and tear. Any feathers, string or stuffing that comes from toys could potentially be very harmful to your kitten so replace their toys regularly.
Scratching post
This is something that every cat needs. If you don"t provide a scratching post for them, they will find one themselves and it will probably be a piece of furniture! You will need to replace scratching posts every few months or so as they can get quite worn.