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

[blackbirdsinginginthenight]

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!

Just here for the pictures 👀

You’ve forgotten the second kitten. Always best in pairs 😻😻

We had to have two litter mates from a rescue charity, as they said they were a bonded pair. As adults they live in an uneasy truce, which explodes into a fight from time to time. The brother is dominant to the sister.

If you get an only kitten, I’d get something like a fleece blanket or a soft toy, for them to cuddle up to in place of their mother or litter mates.

I have a heated fleecy blanket - both of mine go the full works on it, kneading and sucking to their hearts’ content!

Getting 2 kittens is fabulous- I was advised to do this and am so happy I got 2 kittens. It's excellent advice.

They are brothers and adore each others 🐈‍⬛ 🐈‍⬛

Those wall mounted climbing levels and beds if you’re that way inclined! Ours loved theirs and was heartbroken when we took them down to repaint and haven’t got around to putting back up. They’re quite aesthetically pleasing too to me when placed in right place to fit the room and come in colours that match any room altho ours were just wood with the classic plastic bowl one which was a firm favourite

We have exactly the same issue. We were told by the rescue charity we had to have a pair of kittens and I’d say for the first year or so it was great for them and they really loved each other and got a lot out of being together. But now they are adults I think they’d be much happier by themselves, cats are solitary creatures after all. They ignore each other other than when they have really vicious fights and the ‘submissive’ cat definitely has some anxiety issues! We’ve tried all the advice (feliway, separate eating places etc) but nothing has worked. In the future I would definitely go for a single cat.

Meant to quote this above!

I've always had single kittens/cats. They have been fine, happy, healthy cats. Lots of attention, and personally, I think they are then closer to us. Just my opinion.

My DCat when she lived in her old home (she adopted me all above board, NDNs agreed) had a sister. They got on and did a lot things together outside but seemed to go their own way after a while. Her sister jumped in a car we think (or on a small bus which goes between the streets) and ended up living somewhere about 20-30 minutes away by car. I do wonder sometimes if they miss each other.

Cat igloos are great. Da Bird and laser pointer good. I got my last cat a sort of grey donut type bed which he loved, by the central heating.

I have 2 adult bro/sis. Didn’t get them as kittens though. They are only in the same room to eat and pretty much keep their own counsel but no animosity . YY to the laser light. Our little boy loves this , and Magpies for Cats on YouTube

Well I'm reading this lying in bed comfortably wedged in between two cats (siblings adopted as kittens) so you can imagine what I'm going to suggest...!

Kittens will get into every tiny space going. You know how mice can fit into a gap the size of a pencil? Same sort of idea with kittens. Down the side of the washing machine? Up inside a divan bed? Into the back of chests of drawers. Anywhere like that. Get a toilet roll tube - if you can get that into the gap, the kitten will get in there. Block it up before they do.

Find out from the rescue/breeder/whichever what sort of litter they use as there are many different sorts, and if they're used to a particular kind try to keep to that at least at first. Best chance to keep litter tray usage perfect from the off. Keep the food the same as well and adjust gradually if you need to, to avoid upset stomachs.

Ask the charity to see if the two kittens get on, they’ll soon make it known if they don’t.

Ragdolls are brilliant cats but they can be very needy, prone to kidney infections and should really be kept as indoor cats as they can be a bit dopey and easy to steal. They are lovely companions though. Very chilled cats so it’s probably better the ragdoll is the older one.

Most of the bird/rodent videos on you tube my current and previous cat both liked, though they’re a bit confused as to where the bird/rodents actually are in the room!

Another kitten.

They won’t be lonely. They will be ten times as much fun to watch and I’m really not sure it’s possible to have cats more affectionate towards humans than the two pairs of sisters we’ve had in the past.

Don’t put anything breakable on the Christmas tree this year.

There is no heartbreak like having to choose which of your two cats to rehome, trust us on this

I'd get a nice cat tree with lots of tall scratching posts and cosy beds and lookout places built in.

The fishing rod/wand toys are great as it keeps your hands out of claw distance while playing

A brush for daily brushing, as it helps keep the coat in good condition, reduces the amount of hair they swallow while grooming (so fewer hairballs vommed up) and it reminds them of their mum grooming them so they bond with you (which is a bonus of having a singleton cat, they bond with their humans better).

Yes, watch out for pretty well all costs doubling if you get two. We have an adult (10yo) litter pair, they have been together since birth and they tolerate each other at best.

Yes it confuses him he jumps up onto the tv stand and walks along. Tail starts wagging. Even if the close up of the bird is bigger than him he’s game.
This cat gets excited by a magpie feather and brings them in with great aplomb.
Good job he’s neutered, not first in the queue when the brains were handed out , love him.