Brand new kitten tomorrow!!

[welshnat]

I posted before asking for advice on adopting a kitten and had some really good advice, so just wanted to double check that what I'm doing is right.

I have been looking into adopting a cat from a rescue centre but struggling to get to any as I don't drive and there aren't any local. Anyway, I have been offered an 11 week old kitten by a friend who knows how desperate I am to have one. So i will be going there tomorrow to see how 2.5yo DS gets along with them, and hopefully choosing one I have the following shopping list first:

Litter tray
Cat litter/wooden chips - which is best??
food/water bowls
Blankets
Scratching post
Bed
Dry food - been told they are currently eating Tesco own make - should I stick with that or go for something better??
Toys

I will be taking a cardboard box with a pillow and blankets to bring him home in. I'm registering him in the vets on Monday and will be booking him in to be neutered. They have all had their vaccinations, been wormed and litter trained.

So advice for when I bring him home tomorrow. His bed will be in the living room but litter tray and some card board boxes to hide in will be in the dining room away from DS.

[sashh]

You need a cat carrier both to bring kitty home and to get tot he vet. You can get cardboard ones at the vet.

The fore thing he needs to see when you get him home is the litter tray - all set up before arrival.

Start with the same litter the kitten has used at his first home and the same with the food, stick to what is familiar at first and you can introduce other food later.

Oh and you have to post pics on here, it is the law.

[cozietoesie]

Are they currently eating a kitten food? I wasn't aware that Tesco had an own brand dried kitten food so that may be something to think about - they're little growing machines at that age and a change to a better quality food might be worth considering. (Perhaps not the day he arrives though - there will be enough change for him to deal with. Maybe see if their current owner will give you some in a container to be going along with.)

I wish you well with the bed. None of mine have ever used one I've provided - they always choose their own place to sleep. (In fact the Siamese have always immediately found the main bedroom and plonked themselves down on the bed there as of right!)

[FannyFifer]

Our wee kitten is 12 weeks now.
My main recommendation would be this www.petfleas.co.uk/acatalog/Frontline-Spot-On-Cat-3-Pack.html?PFGoogle_base&gclid=CMCNlIC4qb8CFYrJtAodL0YAsA as he had fleas when we got him.

Good luck, somewhere to confine him at night is a good plan or else he will run mental round the entire house all night. Ours stays in bathroom at night as there is nothing he can destroy in there.

[FannyFifer]

Don't get the wooden chip litter as it totally stinks.

This is the best one I have found, have tried a few. www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/bob-martin-felight-cat-litter-10-litre-(online-only)

[welshnat]

Thanks all for the advice so far. With having a toddler I was thinking of getting a hooded litter tray. DS is very good at staying away from thing that are yuck but don't really like to give him the opportunity. Has anyone used one of these or are they useless?

I don't think they're having kitten food they just said tesco own brand dried food. I will get the smallest box possible and introduce a higher quality kitten food. What age should I feed it kitten food? Is wet food a waste of money or is it good for the kitten?

I will post a photo once he his here and settled. In thinking that I will leave him in the dining room with his litter tray and some places to sleep/hide for a bit and let him settle. Maybe bring him into the living room once DS is in bed. Although any other suggestions are definitely welcome! No names yet I want to see his personality

[welshnat]

This is the pic of them together. Any suggestions for names that are easy for a 2.5yo to say? He's not the best talker so something simple

[FannyFifer]

I have this one from Argos, def helps with smells.
www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/8702410.htm
Cheapest one I found as well.

[Birdsighland]

We had a covered litter tray. We found them very good. We had to keep the flap open as our boy wouldn't push it with his head. I kept the tray near the back door and then just whisked it outside to take the cover off and clean.

[welshnat]

We went to see the kittens today and they are absolutely adorable! They are all very friendly and looking for my attention. DS was interested for 10 minutes before he found the kids toys in the corner and then ignored them. He did hold a few and was very gentle with them which I was happy about.

I saw the mother cat and she was also very friendly. She has now been spayed which I'm happy about, and she is still very loving to the kittens. I've seen them all devour their food, and none look underweight. I am going back tomorrow to pick one up after I've slept on it and made sure I am ready for the cat. Can you think of any questions I should ask before I take my kitten home?

[welshnat]

Our kitten is home! DS has chosen the very original name of Cat he's already settled in and is currently curled up on a cushion on my lap purring away I chose his because he ran straight over to me and rolled over for me to tickle his belly! Will post some pics soon

[RubbishMantra]

The kittens are gorgeous - I love the way they just stand in their food!

They look an unusual colour, are they like a dark tabby?

[cozietoesie]

I actually found it quite reassuring that DS found the toys and then ignored the kittens - sounds as if he knows the difference.

How is it going? Has he eaten or used his tray yet? (If he hasn't, don't worry unduly - it's early days.)

[Fluffycloudland77]

They are sooo fluffy! Are they going to be long haired?

[welshnat]

Hi all! Sorry no pics yet but haven gotten into my laptop yet. He is so loving! He's been following me everywhere and his favourite place is under my chin. He eaten two small helpings of food but not used his litter tray. His feet were slightly damp though so will be mopping the floor tomorrow in case he's gone somewhere else.

I've just put him in the dining room for me to go to bed and he's been crying for me for the last 10 mins he used to have the run of the house in hi old place with all of his brothers and sisters so I feel really sorry for him. Trying to be strict and make sure he stays downstairs though.

I saw the mother and she was short haired but he does look very fluffy so who knows.

I'm so glad I've chosen him because he has such a big personality already

[welshnat]

He's still crying any advice if he doesn't settle down? I feel so sorry for him!

[welshnat]

And he's black with tiny bits of white and brown stripes down his back - in other words gorgeous

[cozietoesie]

It's start as you mean to go on, I think. (Speaking as the person who always recognizes the inevitable and takes new Siamese straight to bed - but we won't mention that.)

He's having the biggest change in his whole life so he's probably going to be miserable the first night without the rest of his sibling gang to cuddle with. Has he got a snuggly place to sleep?

And where shall you want him to sleep from now on?

[Fluffycloudland77]

I left mine downstairs on the first night. He didn't cry much though.

Take him upstairs. You know you want to really.

[welshnat]

The problem solved itself by me falling asleep he is a very hyper kitten this morning! He hasn't sat still since 7. Still not used the litter tray but eating and drinking fine.

[cozietoesie]

Kittens are hyper. Thank Gawd they grow up - more or less.

Just in case he's a bit wobbly on use of tray, have you tried positioning him in it and scratching the litter with his paws? (Real briefly and preferably just shortly after he's eaten/drunk which seems to stimulate the urges.) Just to remind him of his duty.

(Have you found any wet patches?)

[CatKisser]

Cozie loves advising people to stick their hands in the litter tray!
It is good advice though - and definitely after they've eaten. Mine knew to use the tray but hasn't worked out how to cover his leavings.

Hope all is well this morning definitely not hasseling you for pics and that kitty is happily exploring his new home. The colouring sounds beautiful! By the way, how DO you know if kittens are going to be long or short haired?!

[welshnat]

He weed in his litter tray!!

I'm finally on my laptop so you get to see his gorgeous face!

[welshnat]

He just pood in there too! I was so scared that they had lied to me and said he was litter trained just to get rid of him.

And I have no idea how to tell if they will be long/short haired but it depends on the parents.

[cozietoesie]

Great stuff! You can relax now.

[CatKisser]

Oh looooook!! Look at his lovely big ears!