Kitten in the house: step-by-step instructions for beginners

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.

How will the kitten eat?

What a kitten needs
A kitten will need at least three bowls of different shapes and capacities.

• One bowl should be flat. On it you will place delicious jelly-like food (canned food) or treats from your table. Breeders do not welcome such actions, but most owners cannot resist the ingratiating meow and fill the bowl with various goodies (shrimp, pieces of meat, liver, fish) from their plate.
• The second bowl should be deep - for dry food. Cats are predators, and in natural conditions they get their own food, but you are unlikely to be able to get mice for your pets for breakfast, and a balanced diet by treating your pet to cutlets from your table will probably not be provided. For this reason, veterinarians recommend dry food that has a long shelf life. It is better to give preference to premium food, but this depends on the size of the family budget.
• The third bowl is for water. It must be deep, stable, there must always be clean water in it - this must be monitored very carefully.

The best bowls are ceramic, enameled, or stainless steel. In other dishes, food oxidizes and pathogenic flora develops. For this reason, plastic is a poor choice. If you want to save money, refuse to buy beautiful bowls in specialized stores for animals - buy cheap plain bowls in the tableware department of any supermarket: “human” bowls will cost less than “cat” ones. But the kitten doesn’t care what’s written on his plate. No need to spend extra on aesthetics.

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.

scratching post

With a sharpener, the cat's claws will be intact and your furniture will not be damaged.

In the apartment where the kitten lives, there must be a scratching post. Using it, the animal maintains health, because this way it will not injure its paws by clinging to the hard surface. In this case, you need to choose a soft sharpener. In addition, the accessory helps protect furniture from scratches. The product comes in various shapes and types:

• wall-mounted scratching posts with carpet or sisal are suitable for small spaces and are installed on walls and corners;
• posts - stable sharpeners with textiles and sisal designed for active animals (there are models with toys on ropes);
• structures with several tiers, platforms with synthetic padding - a place of rest and entertainment for one or several cats;
• multifunctional complexes - a house and a place for games (suitable for large premises);
• floor-mounted sharpeners made of corrugated cardboard with a cellular structure and a warm surface.

Most often, structures are wrapped in natural sisal or jute. In the first case, the sharpener will be strong for a long time, because the material is durable. But jute wraps are more suitable for kittens with sensitive paws.

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.

List of basic items a kitten needs

The acquisition of a small furry creature always evokes bright, joyful emotions. It should be taken into account that a kitten is not a toy and requires the creation of full, safe living conditions.

First of all, buy the animal:

1. Bowls. It is recommended to purchase 3 pieces at once - one for food, two for drinking.
2. A tray that functions as a cat litter box.
3. Filler. Natural, completely safe substances are selected for children.
4. Products for hair care and hygiene procedures (combs, shampoo, nail clipper).
5. Scratching post. This device helps protect property from scratching. You can buy it at a pet store or make it yourself.
6. House. The cat accessory will serve as a sleeping place and will help to avoid falling asleep in undesirable places.
7. Carrying bag. The accessory is indispensable when visiting the veterinarian, exhibitions, and while traveling.

The person who becomes the owner of a furry baby takes responsibility for his life and health. Good nutrition for the animal, care, entertainment, rest, and sleep will be mandatory. To ensure that adaptation to a new place goes without problems, it is best to buy all the kitten’s supplies in advance.

Cat bowls

It is convenient for kittens to eat from a bowl that has medium depth. It is better if the drinking container is deeper. It is undesirable to use plastic utensils. Firstly, such devices are not hygienic, and secondly, they sometimes cause allergic reactions.

First of all, steel or ceramic bowls are considered. They are safe and easy to clean. These bowls have considerable weight, which prevents them from tipping over.

Dishes need to be cleaned daily. You will need to ensure that the pet always has access to fresh water, even in the absence of its owners.

Tray selection

The tray is placed in secluded places. This will help the baby overcome his fear of a new toilet and adapt to it faster. The first tray for a kitten should be shallow or have a recess.

It is useful to consider the following:

• for shy animals it is better to purchase a closed toilet;
• For those who like to turn over the filler, a tray with high sides is suitable.

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It is not advisable to purchase expensive options. The cat will grow up quickly, and the owner will soon need to buy a device for an adult.

The cat litter is updated daily. It is washed thoroughly every week. After washing, rinse the tray well and dry it. If you don't keep the litter box clean, your cat will refuse to use it.

Toilet filler

The rule that animal owners adhere to first of all is to use a litter that is already familiar to the kitten. However, if its cost turns out to be too high, an absorbent composition from among less expensive analogues will do.

It is recommended to avoid mineral filler. If the kitten eats it, the risk of blockage in the digestive tract increases. Also, you should not purchase sand options. Many cats love to throw sand and create a constant mess.

It is best to buy cat litters that have good absorbent properties and can absorb unpleasant odors (silica gel, wood). They also use improvised means (sawdust, newspapers). However, these compositions are not able to fully absorb odors, and become only a temporary option.

Care products

Having the right accessories and other tools will help you always see your cat looking beautiful and healthy. An important point is the choice of comb. First of all, you should choose double-sided brushes made from natural bristles.

The animal needs to be brushed regularly. This will help avoid the appearance of tangles and improve the condition of the coat and skin. If the baby has long hair, the procedure is carried out 3-5 times during the week. Representatives of smooth-haired breeds need two or three brushings.

Human shampoo is not suitable for cats. You can only buy a suitable bath product for your kitten at a veterinary store. The frequency of water procedures is once every two weeks. Sometimes (if there is heavy pollution on the street, during molting, or if it is infected with parasites), your pet should be bathed more often.

A nail clipper is a special veterinary device used to trim cat claws. For cats with thin claws, nail clippers or scissors are suitable.

scratching post

Having a scratching post has obvious benefits.

This device helps a growing cat:

• relieve accumulated stress;
• expend excess energy;
• reproach claw renewal.

Regular use of the scratching post helps your pet maintain physical fitness. In the absence of an accessory, the animal can sharpen its claws on sofas, armchairs, and carpets, upsetting the owners.

Pet stores offer different models of scratching posts. First of all, choose flat products. Scratching posts-toys in the form of cylinders that roll on the floor are also used. If a cat often visits a certain corner, its owner should buy a wall-mounted corner scratching post and arrange it here.

cat house

Having a personal house will give the kitten a feeling of comfort, security, and help cope with fears. The presence of such an item will help avoid the widespread appearance of wool.

When choosing an accessory, consider the following:

• the structure must be stable;
• you need to choose products with a base made of natural materials;
• the house is placed low, as close as possible to the floor surface, from where the cat can easily penetrate it;
• It is worth equipping the accessory with additional elements that arouse the animal’s interest (hammock, tunnels, hanging toys, baskets).

On the shelves of pet stores you can find many such structures (wooden, wicker, cardboard, nesting houses, multi-story options). If the financial condition of the owners prevents them from purchasing a finished house, they make it themselves.

Carrying bag

When leaving its usual habitat, going on a hike or a trip, a pet always experiences excitement. He experiences severe stress when meeting strangers, animals, or during his first visit to the veterinarian. The carrier allows you to comfortably transport the kitten, without stressful experiences.

The carrying bag must be spacious, have a hard bottom, viewing windows, and adequate ventilation. It is welcome to have strong handles and reliable locks that prevent the animal from escaping or falling out. In order not to scare away the cat, choose products made from materials without a strong specific odor.

Today, a variety of carriers are produced. For long trips and protecting your pet from snow, wind, and rain, you should first of all buy a plastic version. Fabric and wicker bags will become indispensable when hiking in summer or spring.

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.

Shopping list for a kitten

We have made a convenient shopping list for the future owner of a kitten. You need to purchase the following items:

• Carrying - hard or fabric;
• 2 bowls for food and 1 for water;
• Tray;
• Cat litter;
• Nail clipper;
• Special shampoo for kittens;
• Slicker, if the kitten is long-haired;
• 2 combs - with frequent and rare teeth;
• House, bench or play complex;
• scratching post;
• Several toys.

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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.

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.

Where to take a baby: all the pros and cons

None of the available locations are ideal. The final choice is made individually depending on your goals and wishes.

Nursery

The safest place to purchase purebred animals is a nursery. The identity of the breed is confirmed here by pedigree. Staff meet with parents. The owner is explained the nuances of maintenance and care, provided with support when participating in exhibitions and breeding, and given full advice before and after purchasing the animal. All pets – both small and adult – are treated for parasites and vaccinated.

The only disadvantage of the nursery is the high prices. Not everyone is ready to spend a lot of money, so they prefer more affordable options.

Shelter

Shelters are public and private. The latter are often subsidized by municipal authorities. If the breed of your future furry friend is not important to you, give a home to one of the shelter animals. Sometimes not only stray animals picked up by volunteers end up there, but also purebred cats that are lost or thrown into the street by careless owners.

Due to crowded housing, these cats often become infected, so be sure to get checked by a veterinarian. Despite possible illnesses, furry pupils are often toilet trained, sterilized and vaccinated. Due to their difficult fate, they do not always trust people, but in caring hands they quickly thaw and respond with mutual love and devotion.

Market

You need to be very careful when choosing a cat at the poultry market. Buyers are often deceived here - sick animals are sold under the guise of healthy ones, and yard murks are passed off as elite breeds. Such places are attractive due to their prices, but often much more money is spent on the treatment of a new family member.

For private individuals

Buying purebred animals through private advertisements is a difficult and unsafe business. Fraud in this area is not uncommon. It’s safer to buy through relatives, friends or acquaintances: if kittens are given away by someone you know, then the likelihood of fraud is negligible. Such animals have been socialized since childhood and treat people well. The only downside is that it is almost impossible to take a purebred animal for free.

A private breeder, like a shelter, provides documents for purebred cats, but sometimes you can do without this formality - then the cost of the animal will be significantly lower. This way you will get a purebred pet at a reasonable price, but you will not be able to breed it and participate in exhibitions.

From the street

This is the most noble, but also the most problematic option. Having picked up an animal from the street, you will have to spend time adapting to an unusual life for it. Those kittens that were born and raised on the street will be shy and even aggressive. It will take weeks and even months to tame them. Animals that have lived indoors and been released outside will be more socialized and perhaps even toilet trained.

Stray kittens are often infected. This is dangerous for other pets and humans. Visit your veterinarian before bringing your foundling into your home.

At first, you will have to monitor the amount of food you eat: a baby and even an adult cat will eat everything they give him. Without strict control, overeating and subsequent digestive problems cannot be avoided.

Toilet training is no less difficult. It is recommended to take a vacation during the adaptation period - this way you can monitor the behavior of the new family member and quickly let him get used to you.

Oddly enough, cats know how to be grateful for being saved. Like dogs, they remember the kindness of their owner for the rest of their lives - especially if they were adopted as adults.

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

At what age is it optimal to adopt a kitten?

The optimal age for a baby is at least 2 months. Earlier separation from the mother is fraught with psychological problems, loss of immunity and vulnerability to diseases. The signal that a kitten can move to a new family is usually a complete transition to solid food and mastering the litter box.

An exception can be made for kittens from the street who have lost their mother cat. They will have to be fed formula milk themselves. Contrary to popular belief, feeding cow or goat milk is only a temporary solution. It is not able to provide the same elements as cat milk, and very often leads to stomach problems.

It is better to adopt purebred cats even later, when they are 3-3.5 months old. At this age, their breed characteristics become more obvious, and you can easily identify deception on the part of an unscrupulous seller. Also, the baby will already have all the necessary vaccinations and deworming.

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.

Caring for newborn kittens

Bed. A newborn kitten needs round-the-clock care, especially if it is left without a mother cat. His “nest” should be equipped with a warm bed. For this, use a warm heating pad. It is placed in a basket or box where the baby sleeps. An alternative could be a plastic bottle filled with warm water (approximately 36-38 degrees) and wrapped in a cloth. After two weeks, the temperature is reduced to 28 degrees, and after another week - to 24 degrees. Caring for a kitten with a heated bed is extremely important if it is a small Sphynx or any other hairless member of the cat family.

Nutrition. If a cat feeds its cubs milk, then they begin to feed them natural food only in the fourth week of life. Caring for a newborn kitten left without a mother is a little more difficult. The baby should receive food every 2.5 hours, even at night. They feed him using a pipette or a bottle with a nipple attached to the spout. The container is sterilized after each feeding, and a fresh portion of milk food is prepared each time. The orphan is fed with a special cat's milk substitute, which is sold in pet stores. Temporarily, you can use rice water for feeding.

Hygiene. Around the eighth day of life, kittens open their eyes. If this event drags on, you should contact your veterinarian. With a simple procedure, it will help your eyelids open. By day 14-15, kittens can already hear fully, and by day 20 they begin to move independently. At this time, caring for the kitten consists of simple hygiene procedures that are aimed at preventing inflammation. If a kitten grows up without a mother, then to imitate licking, wrap it in a damp linen napkin and lightly massage its tummy. This massage improves the digestion of a newborn kitten and helps to go to the toilet.