When bringing a kitten or cat into your home, it’s best to make sure you’re prepared ahead of time. This preparation helps create a smooth transition that is less stressful for your new kitten/cat. Here is a rundown of supplies you’ll need to prepare in advance. We think you’ll find that when you’re prepared, you’ll have more time left to bond. Links to products I use below. Video's below too.
My Cat Room in 2022, the door is always open & they have a catio too
Let’s start with preparing to pick up your kitten. When hitting the road, you'll need to transport your kitten in a carrier. This will keep her/him safe and provide a sense of security. Traveling can be scary for a kitten, so make sure the carrier is roomy and well-ventilated. Have a soft blanket or towel on the bottom too. Have a plush toy (I provide this) from her/his former home to comfort her with a familiar scent. And make sure your carrier is secure and easy to clean. I also suggest for trips over a few hours, food and water and a small litter box in the carrier.
Now, let’s get your home prepared. Some advice first, do not allow your kitten to hide—you need to pet them and show them calmly their play area and toys. Provide a calm home in the first few days and week or two too! When you get home, you will also show the kitten the litter box right away and multiple times the first day or two. I suggest starting out with Dr Elsey’s Kitten or Cat Attract Training litter from Amazon or Chewy for the first month and then start using BoxieCat clay litter. THE BEST CLUMPING CLAY LITTER IS BOXIECAT from Amazon or Arm Hammer Platinum Clump and Seal, there's NO ODOR, NO-DUST & LOW TRACKING. Also, it is recommended to use 3 to 4 inches of litter in a box, measure when in doubt, because people tend to put less than what's ideal for a cat to use. Litter should be fully changed once a month.
LARGE LITTER BOX: Have the litter box ready before you bring your kitten home. The VERY FIRST PLACE YOU PUT YOUR KITTEN DOWN WHEN YOU GET HOME, IS IN THE LITTER BOX. They will jump right out but now you've shown them where to potty. I like to show them every few hours the first 24 to 48 hours. Pick them up and put them in the box. Once you see them use the box, then you know they understand the potty spot. Make sure the box is roomy to prevent scattering litter around the house. You'll also need to buy cat litter and a scoop or strainer to remove soiled bits. A clean litter box is key because your kitten will avoid using a messy, smelly one. Wash her pan once a week with soap and water. It is best not to use strong disinfectants (containing ammonia); they aren’t necessary and may offend your kitten’s sensitive nose. Use a mild disinfectant such as bleach and water on the litter box about once a month, putting the box outdoors to dry in the fresh air, if possible. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling. LINK TO BEST LARGE LITTER BOX FOR THIS BREED: https://www.chewy.com/frisco-high-sided-cat-litter-box/dp/168284 or a Litter Robot (I love mine!)
IMPORTANT: Humans may contract an organism called toxoplasma from cat feces while cleaning out the litter box. Wear gloves while changing your kitten’s litter and always wash your hands afterwards. Pregnant women should be especially cautious and consider asking another family member to clean the litter box. This is because toxoplasmosis can cause severe birth defects. We recommend that a non-pregnant family member clean and change the litter box.
FOOD AND WATER BOWLS: Your kitten has lots of energy, so select bowls that won't tip over too easily. Some kittens are allergic to plastic, so opt for a different material like easy-to-clean stainless steel. You'll want to wash her food and water bowls daily to keep things fresh. Plenty of clean, fresh water on hand is key for a kitten too. FAVORITE BOWLS: https://www.chewy.com/signature-housewares-white-arrow-dog/dp/153356
DRY and WET FOOD: Purina Pro plan Kitten Chicken and Egg, Nulo Free Style Cat & Kitten, Only Natural Pet Kitten Power Dinner. WET KITTEN/CAT FOOD are Purina Pro Plan Grain Free and Simply Nourish Grain Free. Always introduce new food slowly and it helps to rotate between two to three different foods to avoid allergies. I buy these from Petsmart and Chewy.
BED AND CAT TREE: These cats LOVE cat trees and if you can put it in front of a window, even better. Most kittens like to have their own place to rest, but don’t be disappointed if she/he chooses to ignore her new bed. Until you see what your kitten’s preferences are, you may not want to spend a lot of money on a fancy wicker basket or plush bed. Begin with a simple, cardboard “bed.” Get a roomy cardboard box with sides high enough to keep out drafts. Cut out a doorway. Line the box with an old cushion and cover with soft, washable material for warmth. If possible, use an old sweatshirt for a lining. Your scent will be comforting and encourage her to use her new space. Cats are very particular, so make sure the bedding is always clean. Place the bed in a quiet, draft-free corner away from the main traffic in your house. This will be your kitten’s corner. THE TWO BEST CAT TREE FOR LARGE BREED CATS: https://cattreeking.com/collections/all or the Kitty Mansion.
SCRATCHING POST: Contrary to popular belief, cats do not use a scratching post to sharpen their claws. They use it for exercise (to stretch out to their full length), to clean away dead scales from their nails, and to mark their territory, both visually and with their scent. Get a scratching post right away to help train your kitten early. The scratching post should be sturdy and tall enough to let your kitten stretch out, full length. Train your kitten to use the scratching post as soon as she comes home. Encourage her to use her post by playing with her often, near or around it. She’ll get the idea quickly. Then when she gets the urge to stretch, hopefully she’ll use the post instead of your furniture. Try to place your kitten's bed and scratching post close together so she learns to use it when she first wakes up and needs a stretch. BEST SCRATCHING POST: https://www.chewy.com/smartcat-ultimate-scratching-post/dp/49134 or through Amazon because they carry it in grey and tan.
COLLAR, HARNESS, & LEASH: A cat harness or leash can be a great training tool for your kitten, though they're not a must. If you're already thinking along these lines, a harness is probably best, as kittens often dislike the feeling of a leash. However, make sure your kitten always wears a collar made of lightweight material and an identification tag. Have her wear one early on, to get her used to the sensation.
GROOMING TOOLS: Grooming helps keep your kitten healthy and beautiful. You'll need both a flea comb and a brush, though the type of brush you use depends on the texture and length of your kitten's coat. Ask your veterinarian or groomer to recommend one that's right for you.
TOYS: A kitten is naturally curious and needs toys that are safe and fun to play with. Choose toys made especially for cats—ones that cannot be splintered, torn apart or swallowed. A celluloid ball that rattles, a catnip mouse or a hard rubber mouse is perfect. To avoid accidents, some cat toys should be used only when you are playing with your kitten.
Toys don’t need to be store bought. Use your imagination. Some great play-things include:
Table tennis ball
Empty wooden thread spool
Unshelled walnut
Balled-up waxed paper
Cardboard toilet paper tube
Empty shoe box
Some items you may be tempted to give your kitten could be harmful. Keep the following away from your kitten:
Balls of string
Spools of thread
Rubber bands
Balls of aluminum foil or cellophane
Corks
Wire twist ties
Also avoid anything with hard sharp points that can break off. Be wary of toys (or items that a kitten may see as a toy) that can break, such as Christmas tree ornaments for example. Be careful not to give her anything small enough to swallow, like buttons, beads or paper clips. Keep your kitten away from children’s toys made of soft rubber, fur, wool, sponge or polyurethane. If your kitten swallows even a small particle, it could cause digestive problems. Avoid all toys with squeakers that could be swallowed.
We hope this list helped prepare you to make your home a happy place for your cat.
SOURCE: https://www.purina.com/cats/cat-articles/kitten-care/what-do-i-need-when-getting-a-kitten
Now, let’s get your home prepared. Some advice first, do not allow your kitten to hide—you need to pet them and show them calmly their play area and toys. Provide a calm home in the first few days and week or two too! When you get home, you will also show the kitten the litter box right away and multiple times the first day or two. I suggest starting out with Dr Elsey’s Kitten or Cat Attract Training litter from Amazon or Chewy for the first month and then start using BoxieCat clay litter. THE BEST CLUMPING CLAY LITTER IS BOXIECAT from Amazon or Arm Hammer Platinum Clump and Seal, there's NO ODOR, NO-DUST & LOW TRACKING. Also, it is recommended to use 3 to 4 inches of litter in a box, measure when in doubt, because people tend to put less than what's ideal for a cat to use. Litter should be fully changed once a month.
LARGE LITTER BOX: Have the litter box ready before you bring your kitten home. The VERY FIRST PLACE YOU PUT YOUR KITTEN DOWN WHEN YOU GET HOME, IS IN THE LITTER BOX. They will jump right out but now you've shown them where to potty. I like to show them every few hours the first 24 to 48 hours. Pick them up and put them in the box. Once you see them use the box, then you know they understand the potty spot. Make sure the box is roomy to prevent scattering litter around the house. You'll also need to buy cat litter and a scoop or strainer to remove soiled bits. A clean litter box is key because your kitten will avoid using a messy, smelly one. Wash her pan once a week with soap and water. It is best not to use strong disinfectants (containing ammonia); they aren’t necessary and may offend your kitten’s sensitive nose. Use a mild disinfectant such as bleach and water on the litter box about once a month, putting the box outdoors to dry in the fresh air, if possible. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling. LINK TO BEST LARGE LITTER BOX FOR THIS BREED: https://www.chewy.com/frisco-high-sided-cat-litter-box/dp/168284 or a Litter Robot (I love mine!)
IMPORTANT: Humans may contract an organism called toxoplasma from cat feces while cleaning out the litter box. Wear gloves while changing your kitten’s litter and always wash your hands afterwards. Pregnant women should be especially cautious and consider asking another family member to clean the litter box. This is because toxoplasmosis can cause severe birth defects. We recommend that a non-pregnant family member clean and change the litter box.
FOOD AND WATER BOWLS: Your kitten has lots of energy, so select bowls that won't tip over too easily. Some kittens are allergic to plastic, so opt for a different material like easy-to-clean stainless steel. You'll want to wash her food and water bowls daily to keep things fresh. Plenty of clean, fresh water on hand is key for a kitten too. FAVORITE BOWLS: https://www.chewy.com/signature-housewares-white-arrow-dog/dp/153356
DRY and WET FOOD: Purina Pro plan Kitten Chicken and Egg, Nulo Free Style Cat & Kitten, Only Natural Pet Kitten Power Dinner. WET KITTEN/CAT FOOD are Purina Pro Plan Grain Free and Simply Nourish Grain Free. Always introduce new food slowly and it helps to rotate between two to three different foods to avoid allergies. I buy these from Petsmart and Chewy.
BED AND CAT TREE: These cats LOVE cat trees and if you can put it in front of a window, even better. Most kittens like to have their own place to rest, but don’t be disappointed if she/he chooses to ignore her new bed. Until you see what your kitten’s preferences are, you may not want to spend a lot of money on a fancy wicker basket or plush bed. Begin with a simple, cardboard “bed.” Get a roomy cardboard box with sides high enough to keep out drafts. Cut out a doorway. Line the box with an old cushion and cover with soft, washable material for warmth. If possible, use an old sweatshirt for a lining. Your scent will be comforting and encourage her to use her new space. Cats are very particular, so make sure the bedding is always clean. Place the bed in a quiet, draft-free corner away from the main traffic in your house. This will be your kitten’s corner. THE TWO BEST CAT TREE FOR LARGE BREED CATS: https://cattreeking.com/collections/all or the Kitty Mansion.
SCRATCHING POST: Contrary to popular belief, cats do not use a scratching post to sharpen their claws. They use it for exercise (to stretch out to their full length), to clean away dead scales from their nails, and to mark their territory, both visually and with their scent. Get a scratching post right away to help train your kitten early. The scratching post should be sturdy and tall enough to let your kitten stretch out, full length. Train your kitten to use the scratching post as soon as she comes home. Encourage her to use her post by playing with her often, near or around it. She’ll get the idea quickly. Then when she gets the urge to stretch, hopefully she’ll use the post instead of your furniture. Try to place your kitten's bed and scratching post close together so she learns to use it when she first wakes up and needs a stretch. BEST SCRATCHING POST: https://www.chewy.com/smartcat-ultimate-scratching-post/dp/49134 or through Amazon because they carry it in grey and tan.
COLLAR, HARNESS, & LEASH: A cat harness or leash can be a great training tool for your kitten, though they're not a must. If you're already thinking along these lines, a harness is probably best, as kittens often dislike the feeling of a leash. However, make sure your kitten always wears a collar made of lightweight material and an identification tag. Have her wear one early on, to get her used to the sensation.
GROOMING TOOLS: Grooming helps keep your kitten healthy and beautiful. You'll need both a flea comb and a brush, though the type of brush you use depends on the texture and length of your kitten's coat. Ask your veterinarian or groomer to recommend one that's right for you.
TOYS: A kitten is naturally curious and needs toys that are safe and fun to play with. Choose toys made especially for cats—ones that cannot be splintered, torn apart or swallowed. A celluloid ball that rattles, a catnip mouse or a hard rubber mouse is perfect. To avoid accidents, some cat toys should be used only when you are playing with your kitten.
Toys don’t need to be store bought. Use your imagination. Some great play-things include:
Table tennis ball
Empty wooden thread spool
Unshelled walnut
Balled-up waxed paper
Cardboard toilet paper tube
Empty shoe box
Some items you may be tempted to give your kitten could be harmful. Keep the following away from your kitten:
Balls of string
Spools of thread
Rubber bands
Balls of aluminum foil or cellophane
Corks
Wire twist ties
Also avoid anything with hard sharp points that can break off. Be wary of toys (or items that a kitten may see as a toy) that can break, such as Christmas tree ornaments for example. Be careful not to give her anything small enough to swallow, like buttons, beads or paper clips. Keep your kitten away from children’s toys made of soft rubber, fur, wool, sponge or polyurethane. If your kitten swallows even a small particle, it could cause digestive problems. Avoid all toys with squeakers that could be swallowed.
We hope this list helped prepare you to make your home a happy place for your cat.
SOURCE: https://www.purina.com/cats/cat-articles/kitten-care/what-do-i-need-when-getting-a-kitten
Videos of my home setup for my cats and kittens and the custom catio in 2022
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