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It will help
to have certain basic supplies already waiting when your kitten comes home.
All of these are
readily available and relatively inexpensive; some may even be
improvised from household odds and
ends.
Beds and bedding
The most important
thing you can do to make your new kitten feel at home is to have
a corner already
furnished with a basket and cushion. The size of your cat's bed should
be in proportion
to her adult size. Bear in mind, though, that most cats prefer to sleep
curled up rather
than stretched out. For your kitten's first bed, a corrugated cardboard
box with sides 30
cm high will suffice. The high sides will help her feel more secure and
will also help to
keep out drafts. Cut out a doorway in the front and line the box with a
pillow or cushion
covered in washable fabric. Place the bed in a warm, quiet corner of
your home. Don't
be disappointed, however, if your kitten doesn't prefer your chosen
sleeping space. It
may take a bit of experimentation to arrive at sleeping quarters both
you and your kitten
can agree upon.
Cat carrier
A cat carrier is
by far the safest way to travel with your kitten. Most pet stores and
veterinary practices
stock a variety of travelling baskets. Look for one that will be
roomy, durable, well
ventilated, escape-proof and easy to clean. Avoid cages that have
sharp exposed edges
that could injure your kitten or protrusions that could snag your
kitten's collar and
choke her. The most useful cat carriers are made of lightweight
plastic and wire
mesh.
Food and water bowls
You'll need two heavy
creamic or stainless steel bowls; one for food and one for water.
If you have more
than one kitten, each should have a set of its own. Fresh water
should be availavle
to your kitten at all times and her dishes should be washed at least
once a week. Select
a high quality, meat-protein food like those recommended in this
practice
Litter box
A litter box, cat
litter and scoop are essential. Even if your kitten has access to an
outdoor area, she
should not be let out until she has adjusted to her new home. Her
litter box should
always be accessible and easy to find. Choose a box that is deep
enough to keep your
kitten from scattering litter when she digs. Ti's best to use about
5 cm of litter in
the bottom of the box. Commercial litter doesn't have to be changed
every day; just use
the scoop to remove the wet places and faeces adn replace them with
fresh litter. You
should, however, wash the litter box once or twice a week with hot
water. You may need
to try different types of litter if your kitten is avoiding its
litter box.
Usin a high-quality
cat food with help reduce litter box odours. It will also help
minimise your kitten's
trips to the litter box, sparing you both litter costs and clean-up
time.
Kittens less
than eight weeks old may be too small to use an adult-size litter box; an
inexpensive aluminium
or plastic pan with a two-inch rim will suffice until the kitten is
able to graduate
to a regular box.
Brushes and combs
Grooming should be
a regular part of your cat's routine. Although your kitten will
probably want to
make a game of it and try and bite the brush and comb, she will soon
come to appreciate
the attention she receives. It is important to stick with this when
they are young.
Scratching posts
A scratching post
will give your kitten a place to stretch and exercise, as well as a way
to keep her claws
in proper condition. It will also try and prevent her from using your
furniture to satisfy
these needs. You can easily construct a scratching post of your own
by covering an appropriate
piece of wood with carpet, tree bark, or coiled rope. If you
use carpet, make
sure it is not the deep-pile kind; the fluffy surface can't offer enough
resistance for your
cat's laws. The posts may be mounted on a wall or made free
standing by attaching
it to a sturdy wooden base. Make sure the post cannot tip over.
Leash, collar and ID tag
Unlike their canine
counterparts, most cats don't like to walk on a leash. For cat owners
in urban environments,
however, a leash may be the only way for your kitten to enjoy
the outdoors. If
you plan to use a collar or harness, your kitten should be introduced to
it early on. A collar
should have a breakaway section, so that the kitten can escape if
the collar catches
on some object. A collar or harness should carry identification, in the
event your kitten
gets lost. Microchipping is the most reliable form of identification.
Toys
Provide your kitten
with toys - a ball, a mouse and other items will assist your cat in its
development and provide
a great deal of enjoyment and exercise.
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