Added: Sep 1, 2010

From: PetFoodDirect

Duration: 5:40

In my opinion, there is nothing more fun than getting a new kitten. If you've never had a cat before, or if you're adding a kitten as a companion for another pet, you'll have some preparation to do before you bring the new kitten home. Here's my list of must-haves. Food, Water, and Treats Try to get the same food the kitten has been eating to start with, even if you plan to change the diet later. The first few days it's best to keep the kitten's diet consistent to avoid any tummy upset or diarrhea. We can go into more details on healthy kitten foods at another time as that topic is not one to skim over lightly. The kitten should have a separate food and water bowls. Ceramic or stainless steel bowls are the best choice because some cats have reactions to plastic bowls. The water bowl should be larger than the food bowls. Try to get an oval bowl if possible because cats don't like their whiskers to touch the sides of the dish. If you would like to introduce treats to your kitten, try to stick to easily digested treats like freeze dried chicken. As the kitten gets a bit older, you can branch out into other adult cat treats. If the kitten you're getting is not weaned and requires milk, use only a cat milk replacer such as KMR or 2nd Step Weaning food. Cow's milk is not good for kittens and could cause diarrhea and dehydration. Litter The second most important thing is the litter box. Obtain a litter box even if you already have another cat and litter box in your home. The kitten must have his or her own litter box in addition to the existing box. You'll also need a litter scoop so you can clean the litter box waste daily. Select a litter that will attract your kitten to use the litter box such as Dr. Elseys' Kitten Attract Litter. This litter has a soft texture that kittens like and uses a blend of herbs to attract kittens to use the box. Kittens are naturally clean and should be litter trained when you adopt one. Kittens do go through a litter tasting phase around four to five weeks of age so if your kitten is that young, you should use only a non-clumping. I asked the experts at Dr. Elsey's and they say kittens eight weeks of age and older do well with clumping cat litter. Scratching Post Don't let bad habits form early for your new kitten. Providing your kitten with appropriate places to scratch from day one in your house will prevent the kitten from finding other surfaces to scratch. Scratching is necessary for all cats to remove the outer sheath from the nails as they grow. Vertical, carpeted scratching poles are great and can be combined with horizontal, cardboard scratchers to see which your pet prefers. Toys Kittens think everything in their world is a toy, but you should be prepared with some kitten toys that are safe. Balls and teaser wands are great and provide you with interactive fun while you bond with your new kitten. Bed Your kitten will likely choose your sofa, chair, closet, ottoman, china closet or under the bed as the ultimate best sleeping place. In the beginning, try offering your kitten a proper cat bed that he or she can call their own. Grooming Introduce your kitten to brushing using a soft, slicker brush. If you take time daily to gently brush the kitten now, grooming will not be as difficult later in life. Nail trimming is something that kittens need frequently. Tiny kitten nails are sharp so keep the tips clipped weekly to avoid painful scratches while playing. Small scissor nail clippers are the best for tiny paws. Carrier Before you go to pick up your new kitten, be sure to have a cat carrier already. This provides your kitten with a safe, secure place for travel. Be sure to get a carrier that will fit the cat as he or she grows. A Room Just for Kitten When you bring your new kitten home, don't allow the kitten roam freely through the entire house for a few days, even a week. If there are other pets in your home, they need time to adjust to the new arrival before meeting. Use a spare room where you can set up the kitten's litter, food, water, toys and bed and block off the doorway with a pet gate. The gate allows the kitten to get used to the sights, sounds and smells of the new home gradually. You can take the kitten out for supervised play but he or she needs a stable home base to start in. Secure or remove any electric cords in the room and try to block off areas under furniture so the kitten doesn't camp out where you can't reach him or her. There are many other accessories you may decide to get for your kitten along the way but for a safe, healthy start, this list includes all the things you and your kitten will need. All of the products featured in this video are available on our website here: www.petfooddirect.com Use promo code TUBE15 at checkout to save 15% on your next order. This offer excludes vet diets, Rx and Free Shipping items.

Channel: Animals

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