New kitty - what prep do I need to do?

[justpeachy74]

It looks as if we may be getting a kitten in the spring. We're going to meet the litter later in the week to decide.

I'm very excited but nervous too. I just want everything to be right for it. What prep do I need to do? What will the early weeks be like? Good, Toilet-training etc. All the basics really.

I have a toddler and a 7yo. How do I manage integrating them all?

I'm probably overthinking things but I can't help it! I haven't been this excited about anything in ages

[TheFlyingFauxPas]

Kittens are lovely I dreamt last night I had cats. We're now dog family. Compared to dogs I think cats are easier- they often come litter trained already! So yes. Litter tray. Kitten food. Water not milk. And before it arrives check for fleas. They're a bugger to get rid of. We paid for tiny 3/4 burmese kittens that were supposed to be de-flead and they were covered.

Enjoy. Enjoy. And pictures on here of course. And watch out for those needly little claws!

[TheFlyingFauxPas]

Kitten may hide to start with. Let it take its time. And practise saying gently over and over to little ones! They need to know it's a living feeling creature. Not a toy.

[Hidingtonothing]

All you really need are the essentials, litter tray, food and some toys. It's important to give them a refuge, somewhere they can escape to and 'hide', especially when you first get them home. I find confining to one room and letting DC spend short amounts of time playing and fussing works well for the first day or two but I have dogs to integrate too which probably does complicate things.

I always overthink but then our latest feline addition happened at really short notice so I didn't get chance and it was loads better that way. She settled in really quickly and within days it felt like she'd always been here, I hope next time I'll worry less because it's been much more enjoyable without the overthinking.

Toilet training is generally pretty easy, just keeping popping them in the litter tray as soon as you see signs they need to go and they pick it up really quickly. Cats like to be clean so as long as they know where the tray is they generally head straight for it. Don't put the tray too close to where they eat, they tend to like the two things to be separate. Enjoy, I'm kitten broody now

[TimeIhadaNameChange]

Take a long, last look at your house. It won't be yours any longer. Enjoy being able to stretch out on the sofa, and the bed. Lie in front of the fire. Relish the fact that nothing is scratched.

Then wait to sacrifice your life to (s)he who must be obeyed!!!!!

You'll have a ball with your new owner. Check what food they are used to and stock up. You can change, but slowly, and at first you're best just keeping to what they eat now. You don't want to upset their stomach. Same with the litter (though that's because they can be stubborn buggers, rather than any actual physical issues).

Toys, as PP said, though homemade ones can be just as fun. Toilet rolls, balls of paper and lots of cardboard boxes.

A catbed may, or may not, be used. As previously mentioned, puss will have all seats and beds available anyway (unless you shut them out of the rooms).

Something which may help the transition is to take a t-shirt of yours, that you have worn and thus smells of you, to the house, so that kitty recognises your scent when (s)he comes home.

Oh, and FFS make sure your cameras are charged and ready to go. The Litter Tray demands picatures!!!!!

[justpeachy74]

Thanks everyone. I will be back with pictures!

[justpeachy74]

This is our little one. We have a few weeks to wait for her before she's ready.

[TheFlyingFauxPas]

Oooh she's a beauty 😍

[hapagirl]

Don't bother with a bed! In my excitement at us getting a kitten I spent 25 pounds on a cat bed. She sleeps on tea towels, clean laundry, on the radiator - anywhere but the 25 pound bed!!!!

[dementedpixie]

Litter tray (our has a rim to help stop litter flying out), litter, food/water bowls, radiator bed (mine like these), cat scratching post (got ours from home bargains), toys (they are all over our kitchen floor!).

Our kittens were litter trained when we got them at 8 weeks as their mum had taught them to use it so we didn't have to do anything. I get kitten food from pets at home as the stuff in the supermarkets contains sugar and other crap I.e. Felix and whiskas. I give a mix of wet and dry food as one of the kittens refused to touch the dry stuff I put out to start with so had to guve wet food too.

[dementedpixie]

This is my 2 at 13 weeks on their scratching post tower thing

[dementedpixie]

This was the day we brought them home at 8 weeks old

[Wishiwasmoiradingle2017]

Have a practice run of how many things you will need to have nearby - cuppa /biscuits /chocolates/wine /book /mag /TV remote - for when you are tied to the chair on kitten stroking duties!!

[justpeachy74]

Oh my Pixie look at those fluffy stripes. Just beautiful little kitties!

Moira I am so looking forward to kitten stroking duties. I have had some practice of being tied to a chair from my now toddler who would spend large amounts of time sleeping on me. It warranted many a box set viewing. There may be a bit of a fight for the lap but there's probably enough to go round

We are struggling to agree on a name at the moment but there's still time... open to suggestions for kitty names. It's a girl.

Thanks for all the replies. I think we're going to like being part of the 'litter tray' gang.

[dementedpixie]

I'm trapped right now!

[OliviaStabler]

Lovely

[justpeachy74]

So sweet. I cannot wait!