July 10th is National Kitten Day, and we're celebrating all kitties! Whether you have a kitten, you're set to be a cat-parent soon, or you're simply a cat lover, this is a great day to appreciate all the kittens around the world. In recognition of National Kitten Day, we’ve made a checklist for soon-to-be cat parents. Here is everything you’ll need for the first month after adopting a kitten!
When you first bring your kitten home, it's a good idea to have a “decompression room” set up. This can be a bathroom or a spare room that contains their food, water, litter box, and a couple of toys. This helps ensure that your kitten isn’t overwhelmed by a large, new space.
You'll of course need need kitten food. At first, you'll want to buy the same food the kitten was eating at the shelter to avoid any stomach issues and then transition them to other food. Look for food, either wet or dry, that contains labels such as “for growth” or “for all life stages.” You will also need dishes to put this food into. It’s a good idea to specifically look for shallow, wide, stainless steel or ceramic dishes, as this helps avoid whisker fatigue or chin acne on your kitten.
Next, you need a litter box and litter. Opt for a litter box with lower sides that are easier for your kitten to access. You may also want to use non-clumping or wood-pellet litter for the first couple of weeks, since many curious kittens tend to try to eat clumping clay litter. When it comes to cleaning their litter box, you can use Metro Paws Cat Litter Bags.
As we all know, kittens love to scratch, and when they aren't provided with an interactive scratcher they can end up scratching your furniture. So it’s a good idea to have a tall, vertical scratcher and a horizontal cardboard scratcher to help entertain your kitten.
Apart from a collar and an ID tag, you may also need to pick up a carrier for your cat, especially for vet appointments or outdoor adventures. There are many different kinds of carriers, such as soft-sided, plastic, or even backpacks. The specific kind is completely up to what you find most comfortable.
You can also pick up a couple of toys to help keep your kitten entertained. Anything from wands, plush mice, springs, lattice balls, and Metro Paws Mini Tennis Balls works. This will be a trial-and-error process as you get to know what your kitty likes and doesnt.
Last but not least, it's crucial to find a vet for your kitten. Set up a vet checkup within the first week of having them to ensure everything looks good. They will need their first set of vaccines during their early months, along with booster shots a month after their first round. It is also important to start parasite prevention around this time to prevent fleas, ticks, or heartworms.
While adopting a kitten is a huge responsibility, it is worth every effort. There is no better feeling than providing a sweet, furry friend with their forever home.
And again, to all cat parents, soon-to-be cat parents, or cat lovers, happy National Kitten Day!