Checklist for new cat owners
Are you getting a kitten, or do you have a little furball sitting on your lap right now? It's always exciting and fun to welcome new family members, even if there's a lot of planning involved. In addition to lots of love, play and attention, we've put together a list of everything you should get for your new addition. Check out our ultimate checklist of what a kitten needs .
Checklist - What basic equipment do you need for a kitten?
- Kitten food
- Cat litter, cat spade and cat litter
- Food and drink bowl
- Toys and scratching furniture
- Transport cage
- Cat bed
- Cat brush
What is the first thing a kitten might need?
On the day your cat moves in, it is a great advantage for both you and your new guest to have a litter box filled with cat litter ready to use. When your cat is small, it may be a good idea to choose a litter box with low sides, so that your kitten can easily get in and out of it. A carrier is also always useful to have for transporting your kitten to your home. Get your cat used to the carrier so that you can easily take it to the vet or if your cat is going on new adventures.
The kitten needs food and nutrition
Without food and drink, the kitten is no good! This applies especially to the energetic little ones, who will grow and gain a lot of weight. If your four-legged friend is under 1 year old, he should eat specially adapted food for kittens . Put food and water in cute cat bowls in a place where they can eat in peace and quiet. Many cats are bad at getting enough fluids. Then drinking fountains may be a good idea to test for curious and playful kittens.
Toys and cat furniture for energetic kittens
Cats are definitely at their most playful when they are young. Give your little mini tiger his own cat toys to chase! Kitten toys with catnip, feathers and activity toys are a great way to release energy and stimulate his brain. Expensive leather sofas and other furniture are also tempting toys for sharp cat claws. Save your favorite furniture and buy several scratching posts for your kitten to sharpen his claws on.
A safe place to sleep
Even energetic little kittens need a safe place to recharge their batteries. If you have children in the home, it is also good for your kitten to know that there is a place where they can relax in peace. Choose between cute cat beds and cat caves that slide right into the interior! Place them under tables or on shelves above the floor. If your cat is restless, calming products with pheromones, such as Feliway , can help at first.
Read how long a cat lives and what affects a cat's lifespan .
Care and equipment for outdoor and indoor cats
Cats are good at grooming themselves, but sometimes they may need a little extra help with grooming . Spend quality time with your kitten using a cat brush ! If you have an indoor cat without the opportunity to sharpen its own claws, it may also be a good idea to get your kitten used to having its claws trimmed with claw clippers . If you let your cat outside, you should wear a cat collar or walk it with akitten harness .
Kittens need a safe home
Kittens are as cute as they are curious. That's why it's a good idea to make your home safe before they move in. Remember that cats don't know which plants are poisonous or not. Maybe you have to give up your favorite plant? Also, avoid having small items or cat toys with long strings out in front of you when you can't watch them. This is to prevent your kitten from swallowing foreign objects like hair ties, or getting stuck around ribbons without being able to get out. Close the door and make sure that windows are closed. Kittens can get through the most incredible places!
What vaccines do kittens need?
When your kitten is around 8 - 12 weeks old, you can start thinking about what vaccines they need. Regardless of whether you have an outdoor or indoor cat, you should vaccinate them. They can quickly get sick if they go somewhere where another cat with an infection has gone before. We humans can also bring viruses from outside on our clothes and shoes. Common vaccines for kittens are against feline distemper and feline colds caused by herpes and calicivirus. Remember to get booster vaccines after 4 weeks and one-year vaccines after the first vaccines. Kittens are usually dewormed before they are adopted out, but if your kitten has not had it, it may be a good idea to give it before you vaccinate your kitten.
If your family member is traveling across the border, they will also need a rabies vaccine, deworming, their own passport from the vet, and ID tags. Familiarize yourself with the different rules for what your kitten needs when traveling with a cat across borders, as they can vary from country to country. It is also a good idea to have cat insurance, as a small operation can quickly cost several thousand kroner.
