Items You Need For Your Kitten (or Adult Cat)

In order to care for your new pet there are a number of items you will need:

• Litter tray and cat litter. There is a wide variety of cat litters to choose from. Avoid ‘clumping’ cat litter for kittens. Litter trays come in all types and sizes, such as self-cleaning, covered or uncovered, and hooded.
• Scratching post. Cats need to scratch. Providing your cat with its own scratching post reduces the chances of it scratching your furniture or carpet.
• Food and water bowls. There are many types of bowls, from cheap plastic to metal, pottery, automatic and even drinking fountains. Pottery dishes are a good choice as they are sturdy and can be put in the microwave if you want to warm your cat’s food.
• Cat carrier for trips in the car.
• Toys. There are numerous toys available for purchase, but items such as paper bags, ping pong balls or scrunched-up paper can be just as appealing to your cat.
• Cat bed. A kitten will be happy with a cardboard box and a soft blanket, but you can purchase a specially-made cat bed.
• Cat food. Select food that is appropriate for your cat’s age. Premium quality is often better, but it is recommended that you continue to feed your cat the same food it was eating in its previous home. Cats can have delicate stomachs, so if you want to change to another brand, do so gradually.
• Cats need plenty of fresh, clean water to drink. Some cats enjoy milk, but it is not essential to their diet and can cause tummy upsets. Some supermarkets, pet stores and vets sell milk formulated for cats.
• Identification tag. An identification tag is essential for rapid identification of your kitten. Record your cat's name, and your address and phone number, or the phone number of your vet for emergencies.
• Microchip. This provides permanent identification if your cat strays or is lost. Remember to update your details if necessary.
• Collar. Pick a collar that has an elastic section, or a clasp that snaps open under the cat's weight, so your cat can slip out of the collar if it becomes hooked on anything. The collar should fit snugly, but you should be able to place two fingers between it and the cat's neck.