Bringing a New Kitten Home

Once you have gone through the steps of picking your cat or kitten, you can go to a breeder or to the pound/rescue to get your cat. In my opinion, it is best to never buy a cat or kitten from a pet store. The next step is getting your home ready for kitty. Here are a few things you will need to know and have on hand.

Gather these supplies ahead of time so that bringing a new kitten home is easy. If you have other pets at home, a "safe-room” for the kitten is essential. This will be a room, such as a spare bedroom or bathroom, where the kitten will spend her first days in her new home. You will need:

• litter box
• cat litter
• scooper to clean the box
• canned food, dry food
• bowls (never use glass or ceramic because they can chip and break; stainless steel is easy to clean and does not break or hold on to bacteria)
• toys
• comb
• brush
• cat bed (a fluffy towel or blanket will work)
• scratching post
• carrier, collar
• identification tag

About Litter and Litter Boxes

There are so many different brands and types of litter, including litter with clear crystals that lock in odor and urine so that you don’t have to clean the box every single day. Some are even self clumping. There are, of course, the regular types of litter available as well. The original clay litter requires you to clean the box every day and it can be dusty. Naturally clumping clay litter is available, but again, you’ll have to clean the box every day.

Litter boxes also have a wide range of options – an open box, a closed box and a self cleaning litter box. It is really about what your cat will use and what your budget will afford you. Use the rule of thumb of one box per cat. I was just told today about a woman in Georgia who is now producing a travel sized [www.kitty2go.com disposable cat litter box]. I think this box is very cool and if you are on the go with your kitty, then this box is a must. Be careful with the self cleaning boxes because there is a learning process for you and the cat on how to use the self cleaning box. You’ll need to clean your litter box daily for urine and feces, as well as give it a complete scrub down each week. The best way to clean your box is to use the 10 to 1 ratio of bleach and water. Never use Pinesol or Lysol because they can be toxic.

Kitten Proofing

You'll also need to "kitten-proof" the house:

• Insert child-proof electric plug protectors in all unused outlets.
• Remove breakable items from shelves and tables (you'd be surprised how fast and how high kittens and cats can jump or climb).
• Cover exposed wires to prevent chewing.
• Tie blind and curtain cords out of reach.
• Clean up rubber bands, tacks, paper clips, string, and other small items that could be ingested.
• Be sure that the windows have screens on them at all times.
• Be sure that your cat has an ID tag and collar at all times, even if your cat is an indoor cat. Visit [www.petsummary.com petsummary.com] to register your kitten or cat.
• Store your cat’s food in a dry dark place in a plastic container where bugs cannot get into it and refrigerate canned food within an hour of being opened.
• Store all cleaning supplies in a locked cabinet, using child-proof locks as an additional precaution.
• Use a child-proof toilet lock to keep the lid closed.

Dangerous Plants

Last, but definitely not least, check your home for poisonous plants. Here are a few house plants that are toxic to cats:

• Caladium
• Castorbean
• Dumecane
• Elephants Ear
• Lantana
• Philodendrons

Ease Into Bringing Your New Kitten Home

Since cats are curious by nature, give them time to learn the house and the house rules after bringing a new kitten home. They will need time to adjust to their new surroundings, their new family and their new life. Be sure to show your kitty or your cat where his/her litter box is, where there food and water are, and of course, their new sleeping accommodations. Enjoy your new kitty!

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