What to buy/use for new kitten?

[SassyMummy]

Okay, so tomorrow I'm heading to the pound to look at getting a kitten.

I'm wondering what I should get for him/her though... it's been ages since I've had a kitten (I had a cat for ages... but just not a kitten).

Food bowls and litter tray are obvious... as well as food and litter and such... but any suggestions on what to get? How are litter trays with lids for tiny kittens? Are they best left for older cats for any reasons (I have no idea???)??

What types of food are best for kittens (probably 6-9 weeks of age)?

Does it need a special bed? Can I create a special bed and buy a proper one later (dunno how much time I will have to go shopping for this stuff tomorrow is all)?

What types of toys do you get kittens?

Anything would be appreciated as it's kinda like having a baby I suppose... I can remember it being quite easy with DD, but the other day I tried to hold a 2-month-old and got quite nervous and didn't know how to hold him! lol. Same thing with the kitten I think.

TIA.

[2 girls]

our cat who is now 2years old, we got from the pound too, I think its a great way to go,

But with toys, we brought what we thought were great toys for a kitten, however they hardly got used,

My kitten found the shoe lace in my shoes much more entertaining, and when we took it out my 2year old daughter would run with the shoe lace behind her and the kitten would chase it, this went on for hours.

so my daughter and I got some wool/string, and little pom pom things from the craft shop and made our own.

my daughter thought it was great that she made them, kid and kitten were entertained for hours, and it only cost us under ten dollars.

So I hope that helps you, and may give you something for your children to do.

[princesslover18]

My advice is to buy a spray bottle and some lemon juice.

When our cats were kittens they loves to scratch EVERYTHING and a little spray of watered down lemon juice (just a little!) discouraged them from an early age.

[Harlequin]

Litter trays that are enclosed are awesome if the tray will be inside. It'll stop the kitty litter being flicked everywhere.

Some kinda scratching post.

If you can afford it, a play area. :)

Oh an one of these: http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/luxury-pet-bed-55cm-55cm-tiger-print/ ;)

[Lastcenturymum]

Sassy!!! You are so cute!!!:hugs:

You don't need much - they make their own fun and just want to be around you (BTW, loved the pics, a 'tuxedo' cat'!) we have one and I didn't know they were called that till I saw a calendar of them.

Just the food, litter tray, fresh water and what ever it has been used to eating. Ping pong balls are great and bottle top lids (a friend found 72 milk bottle lids their cat had pushed under the fridge when the moved it!!!:laughing:

They do love soft material, like polar fleece or dressing gowns!

I hope it survives Chanel!!!

[bubbleyblossom]

Aww ur so lucky!!! Our cat has these little mouse toys that he plays with all the time.. He finds great delight in pom poms, shiny things such as balls of foil, cellophane etc... We made a toy with a stick, elastic and pom poms.. alot cheaper

Im so jealous!! I love Shadow but miss him being a kitten! Have fun!!

[SassyMummy]

Thanks everyone! I feel a bit more confident going in tomorrow. I was planning on getting one, but not so soon... but i mentioned it to my mother and she wants to get me one for Christmas... so we're getting it early.

Unfortunately, we won't be getting the one from other thread... some people are picking him up next week. So instead we're going somewhere else...

http://www.logan.qld.gov.au/LCC/residents/animals/animal+net/salecats/

I like the look of the slightly fluffy tabby ones... they remind me of some cats my Grandparents had on their little animal farm when I was little. That was my fave place to go... so fond memories of tabby cats! :D

Chanel will be good. I'm pretty confident with her being around a kitten... she's lived with cats and dogs since she was a baby, so is very gentle. I'll put a barrier up in my doorway though in case she's annoying it and it wants to escape... it can hide in there and she can't get in (it'll be able to walk through the bars).

I'm quite excited... although the kitten will spend the night with Mum as I won't be home tomorrow night... but the place isn't open Sundays... so she'll take care of it tomorrow night.

Eagerly awaiting my new arrival...:p

[Nex]

What you will quickly learn about cats is that if you buy a special toy or bed they will ignore it in favor of what ever they choose themselves.

My 2 yr old Dusty amused himself for hours the other day playing with a cotton bud that had been dropped on the floor.

He sleeps on whatever I DONT want him to...clean washing...lounge...bed...having trouble with him claiming the cot at the moment! DONT want that!

I highly recommend a covered litter tray. Much less mess!

A combo of dry food and whiskas is usually fine. A raw chicken neck as they get a bit older for their dental health. Don't be tempted by the sachet foods, you'll just create a fussy cat!