New Kitten and need advice

[Aloneinthehouse]

Hi

I have put my name down for a brand new kitten its a Burmilla Breed and will be ready to leave mum at the beginning of January at 13 weeks fully vaccinated

What do I need to think about in order to sort out transition so its not too much of a shock when the kittens mum and siblings are no longer around

We are in a rural area with foxes and badgers

What should a virgin kitten owner be thinking about what do I need to get sorted and what products are recommended such as beds and the breeder suggested a Snugglesafe?

I would get a pet blanket and give it to the breeder a few days before collecting the kitten, so that its' mum and litter mates can lie on it, the kitten can then come home with the blanket full of familiar scents which are very comforting. You can put this in any cat bed you choose. Beds are very much what you fancy, but the kitten will have a mind of its' own and may reject your choice in favour of a comfy human chair or bed, so don't spend a lot. I would get something that is fully washable.

I have no experience of the snugglesafe, but depending on where the kitten will sleep, may be useful (if your house is on the cool side!)

You will need food bowls and a water bowl, litter tray and litter (start with what the breeder uses and the kitten is used to) kitten food (as advised) and some toys. Recommended are toy mice and fishing rod toys. A scratching post is a good idea too, some have toys attached. Look in Pets at Home for ideas, they do a leaflet advising what to buy for kittens. Remember you will need a carrier to collect the kitten in.

The kitten may be fully vaccinated, but check whether it has also been wormed and treated for fleas. Check what has been given and when the last dose was, and book yourself a vet check up appointment so that they can check over the kitten and provide further treatments. I think my vet did a check up every 3 months for my kitten until she was 1, basically development as well as health. Some vets offer loyalty schemes where you can pay monthly for your pets annual vaccinations, worm/flea treatments, and 6 monthly health checks, also discounts on diets and other treatments and spaying/neutering. Sort out pet insurance as well.

Finally, if you have never had a kitten before, I suggest buying cat owners magazines available, they have useful articles on behaviour and best buys for cats. The vet will also have leaflets on health.

Don't let the kitten out until it has been neutered/spayed, and be aware of the foxes and badgers likely interaction with it, the vet will advise of any health risks.

Thank you very much for replying, I am glad I have got so long to get everything sorted.

Its a wonderful point about the blanket and one I had never thought of, I have had a cat before but not a kitten, when I was growing up we had various rescue cats

Should a kitten be drinking milk or water? I have seen special cat milk in the supermarket before.

The kitten gets wormed and flea treated and I get given all the details of the vaccinations and its papers

The main one I had forgotten was the pet carrier do you think it is best to get a larger one that it will in effect grow into (as I think burmillas are on the large side of cats) or get a smaller one that will be cosy

I am very lucky that the breeder is only 10 miles away and so I hope to make a few trips to help get the kitten used to me

When I first had a couple of kittens, I bought a carrier that was big enough for two adult cats together, and that was a plastic one with a door at one end. Now for the current cat, I bought a fabric carrier with a rigid plastic frame. It has a zipped door at one end and a larger zipped one in the roof, makes it easier to get a reluctant or sick cat in or out. These doors are made of black mesh, so plenty of airflow and makes the cat feel that they are not on show so much. I'm sure my cat thinks she can't be seen by others at the vets! Look at all the pet supplies websites and pet stores. Some of the fabric carriers are not much more than a padded shopping bag, I prefer the rigid frame that I can strap into the car seat belt. You ideally need it to be big enough for the cat to be able to stand up, turn around, and stretch out full length when lying down. The dimensions of mine are L49xW36xH34cms. When you go to collect the kitten, put the 'smelly' blanket in the carrier to make a cosy nest for the journey home.

Usually water is fine for kittens if they are well, and eating a kitten food diet, if the breeder gives kitten milk and it likes it, no reason why not. Mine never liked kitten milk.

Thank you very much, I will start my shopping list :)