New Kitten Check List
Travel Carrier
Travel carriers provide a means of safe transportation for both you and your kitten and can be used as a “safe place” while the kitten transitions to their new home environment.
Kitten Food
Find out what your kitten has been eating. Should you decide to transition to a different food you should do so slowing by mixing the two foods together over the course of a week to 10 days. This will help lessen the possibility of stomach upset and loose stools.
Bottled / Filtered Water
Sudden changes in food and water can often cause stomach upset and loose stools. Providing your new kitten with bottled or filtered water will help lessen any potential sensitivities to chemicals / minerals found in standard drinking water.
Bed
A dedicated bed for your new kitten will help make your kitten feel cozy and safe. Beds should be washable and washed often to reduce odors and the spread of bacteria.
Food & Water Bowls
Stainless steel, glass and ceramic with a lead-free glaze are the two best materials for kitten food and water dishes and are dishwasher safe. Plastic bowls are not recommended due to feline chin acne that can be caused by an allergic reaction to some plastics.
Litter Box and Litter
With many types and brands of litter on the market choose a “low dust” variety to help reduce nasal and eye drainage that can be caused by dust.
Comb or Brush
Grooming your kitten regularly will offer them a common time to bond with you. Grooming frequency will vary depending on coat type, length and texture.
Kitten Toys
Keeping your kitten entertained is important to keeping them healthy and active. It’s important to change your kitten’s toys frequently to keep them from losing interest or becoming bored.
Scratching Post
Scratching posts, cat trees and scratching mats provide opportunities to keep your kitten entertained, active and healthy. Kittens benefit in multiple ways by scratching:
Treats
Treats are a fun way to reward and bond with your kitten. But in excess, they can cause health problems and result unnecessary stomach upset and loose stools. Treats should never exceed more than 10% of your kitten’s daily caloric intake.
Travel carriers provide a means of safe transportation for both you and your kitten and can be used as a “safe place” while the kitten transitions to their new home environment.
Kitten Food
Find out what your kitten has been eating. Should you decide to transition to a different food you should do so slowing by mixing the two foods together over the course of a week to 10 days. This will help lessen the possibility of stomach upset and loose stools.
Bottled / Filtered Water
Sudden changes in food and water can often cause stomach upset and loose stools. Providing your new kitten with bottled or filtered water will help lessen any potential sensitivities to chemicals / minerals found in standard drinking water.
Bed
A dedicated bed for your new kitten will help make your kitten feel cozy and safe. Beds should be washable and washed often to reduce odors and the spread of bacteria.
Food & Water Bowls
Stainless steel, glass and ceramic with a lead-free glaze are the two best materials for kitten food and water dishes and are dishwasher safe. Plastic bowls are not recommended due to feline chin acne that can be caused by an allergic reaction to some plastics.
Litter Box and Litter
With many types and brands of litter on the market choose a “low dust” variety to help reduce nasal and eye drainage that can be caused by dust.
Comb or Brush
Grooming your kitten regularly will offer them a common time to bond with you. Grooming frequency will vary depending on coat type, length and texture.
Kitten Toys
Keeping your kitten entertained is important to keeping them healthy and active. It’s important to change your kitten’s toys frequently to keep them from losing interest or becoming bored.
Scratching Post
Scratching posts, cat trees and scratching mats provide opportunities to keep your kitten entertained, active and healthy. Kittens benefit in multiple ways by scratching:
- Full body stretching
- Shedding nail layers for healthier claws
- Communication with other cats in house
- Relieves stress
Treats
Treats are a fun way to reward and bond with your kitten. But in excess, they can cause health problems and result unnecessary stomach upset and loose stools. Treats should never exceed more than 10% of your kitten’s daily caloric intake.