Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

We are getting a kitten in three weeks time... is there anything I have forgotten?

68 replies

blackbirdsinginginthenight · 16/10/2023 19:58

We are bringing a kitten home, our first family pet, in three weeks time.

I've got food bowls, kitten food, little comb, a few toys, blankets for the sofas, litter tray- is there anything I'm forgetting?

Very excited but also quite nervous!

OP posts:
Coldinscotland · 16/10/2023 19:59

A dkitten playmate?

ArcticBells · 16/10/2023 20:01

How exciting! Lovely to have a baby in the house Grin. Enjoy every moment!

0ElectronBlue0 · 16/10/2023 20:01

I was going to say exactly the same - another kitten. Kittens always do better in pairs+

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cats
WaterIntoWhine · 16/10/2023 20:01

You’ve forgotten to show us a photo 😍

Sugarfish · 16/10/2023 20:02

Feliway? That little one will be scared at first but it should calm them

TriplePoint · 16/10/2023 20:03

A cat carrier?

ladybird30 · 16/10/2023 20:03

I'd definitely get one of those multi level cat scratch posts for it to play on as when we got ours they climbed the curtains and got on top of the kitchen cupboards! They get absolutely everywhere, so I'd definitely get something for them to take out their energy on asides from the usual toys.

And I'd say a small pet bed and a collar as well if it's going to be an outdoor cat so it gets used to wearing one, if you want it to wear one that is

GuppytheCat · 16/10/2023 20:04

Scratching post, either an unfeasibly huge tall one or a flat cardboard one. Kittens like to stretch out and shred things

Namechange800 · 16/10/2023 20:04

Pets at home do an amazing corrugated cardboard catnip tunnel

Original poster
blackbirdsinginginthenight · 16/10/2023 20:06

For everyone saying another kitten- would it matter if they were different breeds and families? Kitten that we are bringing home is a gorgeous little smudgey grey and white fluff ball, but the charity also have a ragdoll kitten. The ragdoll is about a month older than the moggy we have chosen. Would they get on, is there any way of knowing?

OP posts:
Laiste · 16/10/2023 20:06

Poo bags for picking poo out of litter tray.

Some cardboard boxes - they love jumping in and out of them.

A second kitten 😍

WhatAPalaverer · 16/10/2023 20:08

blackbirdsinginginthenight · 16/10/2023 20:06

For everyone saying another kitten- would it matter if they were different breeds and families? Kitten that we are bringing home is a gorgeous little smudgey grey and white fluff ball, but the charity also have a ragdoll kitten. The ragdoll is about a month older than the moggy we have chosen. Would they get on, is there any way of knowing?

Doesn’t matter as long as they’re both healthy. Kittens are definitely happier in a pair. Ours are 6 months and rarely in separate rooms- they spend all day chasing, play fighting then sleeping together.

Laiste · 16/10/2023 20:08

If they're both a similar age they'll get on i imagine.

I second the cat tree suggestion. They love playing and sleeping on them and it's somewhere for them to go to feel safe and up out of the way a bit.

Potentialmadcatlady · 16/10/2023 20:10

Insurance, insurance, insurance and then insurance

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 16/10/2023 20:10

Two aren’t litter mates should be fine. I had brother and sister litter mates and what matters is they have one of their own kind (a cat) and someone to play with. They’ll look very sweet snuggled up together!

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 16/10/2023 20:12

Dreamies might be a good idea. Be prepared for them to hide as they might. They were the only thing my last kitten would sort of come out of his hiding place for.

TheSummerITurnedChubby · 16/10/2023 20:12

Have you looked at pet insurance, and registration with the vet? They’ll be able to advise on the best timing for vaccinations and neutering etc. Or will the charity have arranged those?

And yes - a photo!

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 16/10/2023 20:13

A cat bed. Heated if you can.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 16/10/2023 20:14

In case you see it, don’t bother with eg a round circular cat toy with balls inside. None of the cats bothered with it. And they were scared by the clockwork mouse!

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 16/10/2023 20:16

blackbirdsinginginthenight · 16/10/2023 20:06

For everyone saying another kitten- would it matter if they were different breeds and families? Kitten that we are bringing home is a gorgeous little smudgey grey and white fluff ball, but the charity also have a ragdoll kitten. The ragdoll is about a month older than the moggy we have chosen. Would they get on, is there any way of knowing?

The one older might be a bit more streetwise than the younger one but shouldn’t be much difference I’d have thought. And when you let them out do it together. They may well turn into fearsome hunting machines as a duo.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 16/10/2023 20:18

Our cat LOVES the round circular toy with the balls in! Last Christmas Eve she managed to get a ball out, and I think it was her proudest ever moment. That flappy fish thing, however, she was terrified of. She is also a little weirdo who does actually sleep in a cat bed - we have one by the radiator in the living room and another in the kitchen where she sleeps at nights.

OP I would say get a stack of lint roller things. We have one in every room. And a Dyson.

0ElectronBlue0 · 16/10/2023 20:24

blackbirdsinginginthenight · 16/10/2023 20:06

For everyone saying another kitten- would it matter if they were different breeds and families? Kitten that we are bringing home is a gorgeous little smudgey grey and white fluff ball, but the charity also have a ragdoll kitten. The ragdoll is about a month older than the moggy we have chosen. Would they get on, is there any way of knowing?

They will probably get on fine and I imagine they will be less scared going to a new home with each other. It’s less work for you too as they will entertain each other, cuddle up together etc. A kitten in the early days can be very needy, less so if they have a playmate.

Do it! You know you want to 😆

WhispersOfWickedness · 16/10/2023 20:28

Water fountain!

Catmum2 · 16/10/2023 20:30

I’m coming on to agree with “another kitten”!

We got our little girl a week ago and went back the next day to pick up her sister (not planned!) It just broke my heart to see the first one walking around forlornly mewing for her mum and siblings -I couldn’t sleep the first night as I felt so guilty! So the next morning I decided to get her a playmate and so far (I know it’s only been a week ha!) it’s been one of my best decisions. The joy they are bringing to the family already is just lovely and I don’t feel so anxious leaving two of them when I need to pop out.

FlowersareEverything · 16/10/2023 20:31

Antiseptic cream for your hands - they have sharp claws and often accidentally scratch you when they’re small. 😊