The Purr-Fect Start: Four Ways to Prepare for Your New Kitten

Are you thinking of getting a kitten? If you’re a major cat person like me, it will probably be very high up on your wishlist. When we first brought home my cat, Tilly, as a tiny little kitten, it was so exciting and we instantly fell in love with her. I had been badgering my husband for months to let us get one and I’d finally talked him round! I love to be organised, and because it was a few weeks until Tilly could leave her mother, we had plenty of time to prepare. Growing up with cats I knew the essentials that we needed and what to expect from our new little fluff ball. It’s important to remember that getting a new kitten is a big commitment, and for the first few weeks especially, the little guy or girl will be needing plenty of care and attention. Making sure that you’re ready for their arrival is the first step into becoming a new fur-parent, so what steps can you take? Read on for my four new kitten tips to help you get ready!

1. Make sure it's the right time.
2. Stock up on the essentials.
3. Kitten proof your home.
4. Get the right food.

In addition to making sure that your home is fully prepared (which we’ll get to later), it’s important to make sure that you are too. There’s plenty of things to ask yourself when making the decision to add a new kitten to your family, but the most important are:

• Do you have any other pets? Would getting another cause them distress?

• Do you have children? Do they know the do’s and don’ts for their new furry friend?

• Are you likely to be moving home any time soon?

• Does your home allow pets? Do you need to obtain any permission from your landlord?

• Are you away from home a lot?

• Can you afford the extra expense? A lot of pet owners only consider the basics like food and toys, but remember to factor in things like insurance, vaccinations and flea and worming treatments.

This may seem like an obvious one, but having everything you need to hand when your new fur baby arrives home will make things a whole lot easier. The most important essentials you’ll need will be:

• Litter tray, scoop, and litter

• Food

• Feeding bowls

• Toys

• Scratching post

• Cat carrier

The complete list of essentials may seem a little daunting and costly, but there are ways that you can reduce the cost. Shopping online for your pet supplies means that you can take advantage of cashback sites and voucher codes which will allow you to save a little extra cash, along with the extra choice of products. Alternatively, if you’ve got plenty of time before you pick up your new kitten, you can always buy bits and pieces over time to spread the cost. If you’re feeling thrifty, check out these 10 simple cat toys that you can make from everyday household items!

Believe it or not, that tiny ball of fluff will be up to a whole lot of mischief, so it’s important to make sure that your home is well prepared. You’ve heard of baby proofing your home, well, in this case, you’ll need to kitten proof it. Bear in mind that something that is harmless to you and me could be very dangerous for your kitten. For example, certain flowers and plants are toxic to cats, while exposed wires can be very tempting for those tiny teeth to chew. If you need some tips on kitten proofing your home, Your Cat magazine has plenty of advice. It can also be a good idea to set up a room where your kitten can get settled for the first few days, especially if you have other pets! Have it well equipped with their bed, food and litter tray and check in on your little one regularly while they get used to their new settings. If you have other cats in the house, make sure you gradually get them used to the new arrival with the help of these handy tips.

Don’t automatically assume that your average cat food is the best thing for your new kitten. Despite the fact that he or she may have a big appetite, the same can’t be said for their tummies! Buying food that is formulated especially for kittens will mean that it’s the right size for their tiny teeth, and it will have all of the essential vitamins and minerals they’ll need for their development. The same can also be said for treats too. While treats are a great way to reward your kitten, too many can be a little too rich for them, so be sure to pick up a bag of special kitten treats rather than adult ones. It can be an idea to buy the same food that your kitten is eating before they leave the breeders, as sudden changes in their diet can upset their sensitive stomach. If you decide to change it later on, make sure to introduce it gradually into their diet.

So that’s it! You’re all ready to welcome your new arrival! Whether you’re just considering adopting a new kitten or you’re picking up your new little one in a few days time, hopefully these kitten care tips will get you started. If you’re new to cat ownership in general, check out this Cat Ownership 101 article, which is jam packed with everything you need to know!