Thread: What are the essentials for new kittens?

I don't want to buy a lot of things I don't need as advised on my last question, so what do I really need? And does every one agree that it is 12 weeks and not 6 when kittens should go to their new home?

My kittens were 8 weeks old. They came from a shelter and the owner dropped them off there when they were 8 weeks. They turned out fine. I just got them a few little toys to amuse them. I got them a little bed that was like an igloo because it helped them feel secure in their new home. I got them a cat tower with a scratching post, nothing fancy. Litter box, bowls and food. Lots of love is the most important thing! Good luck!

6 weeks is pretty young, but people send them to new homes at that age all the time. Kittens will play with anything. Balled up aluminum foil, a piece of satin ribbon, milk rings off the top of the milk carton. The pet store sells play mice, those are good. My cat likes shooter marbles. Small super balls or rubber jack balls are fun for the kitty. And something to scratch on, like a scratching post or a big log out of the yard are good.

You need to show them love. Get some old blankets and fold them up for the kittens to sleep on. Buy some kitten milk and kitten food. Don't give them any toys just yet as this will scare them. I done this with my kittens and they turned out so nicely.

Good Luck

When getting a new kitten, you will need:

* Cat carrier
* Cat bed (purchased or homemade)
* Food and water dishes
* Food
* Litter box, litter, and scoop
* A collar and tag (your kitten should wear them whenever he leaves the house, even if he is inside a cat carrier)
* Toys and a scratching post
* Grooming supplies, the type will vary with the breed of cat
* Health care supplies including ear cleaner, cat toothbrush and toothpaste
* Book(s) on cat health care and behavior

****Before getting your kitten, find a veterinarian whom you will be willing to work with for the next 20 years. Make an appointment for your kitten's first exam prior to actually getting the kitten.****

The Absolute Essentials:
Food dish + Food
Water dish + Water
Litter Box + Kitty Litter
Something to represent a bed for them to sleep on. You can go to a pet store and buy a bed, or you can just use a folded blanket. My cat loves to sleep on a big dog bed.

Something to scratch on would also be nice, but not essential. It helps to teach them that the scratcing post is for scratching, not the couch.

7 weeks is a good age.
You will need :
Cat carrier
Cat box
food and water dishes
name tags and collars(get the kind w/ bells)
Cat bed
food
toys(3 to start)
a box to sleep in
scratching post(so they won't claw the carpet)
treats
cat litter
fur brush
Hope I could help

Kittens should never be removed from there mother until 8 weeks unless the mother abandoned them or is dead. A kitten hasn?t fully learned everything it has to from its mother until 8 weeks. Kittens need to learn cat social skills, like how to deal with situations and how to properly react to humans. These problems will lat the rest of there lives.
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Effects-Of-Taking-A-Kitten-Away-From-Its-Mother-Too-Early&id=403414
A site about it.

8 weeks is the earliest you should take a kitten away from its mother, but some people do agree that 12 is healthier.

The essentials for having a kitten are basically a litter pan, litter, food dishes and food. Toys can be made from paper scrunched up or old antenna balls or bouncy balls so you do not really need to buy toys. Never allow your kitten to play with string with out you, if swallowed it can kill them. You should also kitten proof your house before you bring a kitten in.
http://cats.about.com/library/howto/htkittenproof.htm
This is a good list of things to look out for.

for age, I think 8 weeks is fine.. but nothing wrong with 12

Cat Carrier
Litter box/scoop
food/food dish
water dish
scratching post (even a basic, inexpensive one)
water bottle (for telling kitten "NO" when he tries to scratch something he's not supposed to)

That should be all you need.. a few toys are nice, but even there, you can find strings, crumple paper into balls.. don't have to spend alot of money on toys if you don't want to,.

Congrats on your new family member..

OK.......I went back and read your previous question.

For over 14 years, I raised kittens, and this is my opinion........

Two kittens are more fun, to watch....they have each other for company when no one is home, they cuddle together for warmth, and don't suffer separation anxiety, when left alone.

Two kittens, EXCEPT for the immunizations, aren't really more expensive than one. With one, you still need a bed (just get a larger one, for two kittens), carrier (2 small cats will fit just fine in one carrier), scratching post (sisal or carpet), food (2 don't eat much....even after they're bigger, they eat less than most dogs).....one metal or glass water bowl, one food bowl (med-large)......and dry KITTEN food. They need KITTEN food for at least the first year. KITTEN food is formulated ESPECIALLY for KITTENS, and has the extra nutrition that they need.

They don't really need canned food, as a diet.....can eat some for treat, if you want to. And, they need a (NOT COVERED) litter pan. I say ....not covered...because a lot of cats / kittens don't like to feel "trapped" while doing their "business". Since these are still really young.......a medium size dishpan will work fine. After they get bigger, they'll need a deeper one.......just not covered. Actually, for 2 kittens, they may do better with 2 litterpans.........at least after they get a little bigger.

When I was raising "babies", I started them on Iam's KITTEN formula (dry), because the "kernels" are small and easier for them to eat. As they got older / bigger, I gave them the "choice" of Iam's KITTEN or Science Diet KITTEN. The S.D. is a little larger, round, and oilier.....They loved both!

I always let my kittens go to their new home at 9 wks (so they could take them to THEIR VET for their first shots). Before that, the mom needs to teach them how to use a litterpan, eat from a bowl, and interact with people.

Don't forget to start the kittens on their immunizations....By the time they get to 8-9 wks, they're losing the immunities that they got from MOM, and need to start getting some of their own. VERY IMPORTANT. If necessary, ask your mom to help you with the cost of the shots....maybe you can pay her back, over time.

For toys.....NO STRINGS, YARN, RUBBER BANDS, ANYTHING THAT CAN "TANGLE"......

Instead, take an clean athletic (heavy) sock and tie a knot in it. Toss this on the floor and the kitten(s) will "attack" it like it was prey. Another "free" toy is...... a brown PAPER sack (grocery sack)...just open it up on the floor and the kittens will play "hide and seek". They love this, too. Another toy, that I love to interact with the kittens with is.......a fly swatter. Just take one and "swish" it from side to side, flat on the floor. They will CHASE it back and forth til YOU'RE tired of the game!! At least, I always get tired before they do.

I hope this is more of what you were looking for. Sorry I missed your question the first time.

Have fun with your new "baby/babies"......
Good luck.