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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Looking to get a kitten have I forgotten anything

29 replies

Newmummytoakitten · 14/10/2021 20:47

So its almost certain we will be getting a new kitten. I have owned plenty of cats in the past but not from kitten stage so want to check I havent forgotten anything or ask for any top tips.

I also have a 2 young children who have been around animals but will need to learn to give kitten its space.

Living space - kitten will be kept in the utility room with its litter tray, food, bed. Will keep kitten in there for at least 2 weeks while it settles and we get used to each other.

Food - plan on getting royal canin kitten food dry and wet. Will also get kitten milk. Will do this for 6 months at least.

Already have a cat flap but plan to keep cat indoors for at least 6 months to a year and get a harness to take it outside for "walks" and exploring. And also wont let it out until its micro chipped.

Will get it chipped when having it spade.

Need to get a pet plan and insurance.

Will get a cat brush, litter tray, scratching post. Learnt from previous cats to put puppy pads under the tray for when the cat misses.

Has anyone got any top tips for caring for a new kitten. Would you suggest I leave it in the utility on it's own most the time or during the day keep it with me in the room I am working?

Note the utility is a good size room (old garage) and is warm/dry.

Also any top tips when I come to train it to toilet outside.

Thanks everyone

OP posts:
MissConductUS · 14/10/2021 20:52

It sounds like you have a good plan. Royal Canin is good, but there are better brands out there, if you don't mind splurging on the food. We switched to Wellness brand and saw an improvement in their coats.

I would love to get a kitten but my two adult cats would be livid about it.

AppleButter · 14/10/2021 20:59

Keep kittens with you and not in a utility room! They are not solitary and NEED company, and the chance to withdraw from it if they wish to. Please get 2. Please ensure your DCs learn to be careful before you get the kittens, avoiding life-changing harm to the kitten. This may require waiting a year or 2.

MissConductUS · 14/10/2021 21:08

Second the idea of getting two if you're current catless. The last time we adopted it was two littermates and that worked out really well.

MilduraS · 14/10/2021 21:21

The kitten will let you know where they want to be. Our first three kittens were really outgoing and just wanted to be out and about. Hopped straight out of the carrier and started sniffing everything. Our most recent kitten took a day to come out and spent a couple of weeks in our room while he grew in confidence. He got nervous when we left the door open.

RevolvingPivot · 14/10/2021 21:24

I was with my kitten 24/7 she slept on my pillow. I think it would be upset to be left alone in a room?

AvoidDairy · 14/10/2021 21:25

How old are your children? I would second getting a pair of litter mates if possible and letting the kitten/s spend time where you are as much as possible.

CareerConcerns1999 · 14/10/2021 21:26

You need a second kitten from the same litter. They need someone to tumble about with and snuggle up with

Inastatus · 14/10/2021 21:31

Yes, I think your kitten needs furry company. You don’t need to keep it in the utility room for 2 weeks, he/she needs company and to get to know you. Definitely keep it indoors for a while though. You won’t need to toilet train it.

AppleButter · 15/10/2021 14:10

The kitten will just have left it’s litter of mother and siblings where it was cuddled and comforted 24/7. It would be traumatic to separate it in the utility room. That is something you can do to help older cats acclimatise, but a kitten is like a human toddler and has very high needs. It will need constant playing with and company, reduced a little if you have two. Any reputable seller or shelter will only give you kittens in a pair.

Brollywasntneededafterall · 15/10/2021 14:12

Yabu to plan a solitary life in a utility room for a dkitten just left it's dm...
Sad

Brollywasntneededafterall · 15/10/2021 14:13

A year ago our new dkitten didn't want space. It wanted to sleep in dd's bed..
So it did!!

GuppytheCat · 15/10/2021 14:16

Any reputable seller or shelter will only give you kittens in a pair.

I don't think that's quite true. Both of our rescue mogs were single kittens -- one was listed for rehoming separately as she was being bullied by her littermates; the other was the last one of a litter of 5 (though we'd fostered her litter from birth, so she already knew the house).

Brollywasntneededafterall · 15/10/2021 14:19

Ours was from a rescue and got a single as we had a sad dcat awaiting her at home.
Dd was rehomed a pair as per their usual rule...

Original poster
Newmummytoakitten · 15/10/2021 14:58

I am not going to disclose where the kitten is coming from but I know its coming from a safe and well loved place and the owner is confident with me as well.

i have had 4 individual cats in the past who have all survived to the ripe old age of 12+ all passing naturally so I think I know what I am doing just not had one from a small kitten before, the youngest I adopted was almost 2 when I got her.

Have taken on board what everyone has said about keeping it in the utility and we are now making plans to give it a safe space in our living area but also somewhere it can hide/sleep and also pee and eat in peace.

The information on the internet is contradictory as to where it should stay at night while a baby so will take advice from its current owner as to how it currently behaves. I appreciate people dont mind cats in their beds but i dont want to set a precedence for cat or my children that it is a regular thing (although it will happen I know) especially in the early days/weeks/months.

Please do not think It will be stuck in one place for its life, it will have free reign of the house (mostly) I was just trying to think of how to keep it safe and calm for the first week or 2 while it settles. As I and my husband are working from home the cat will be given a bed in the room we are in. if it so chooses

My children are familiar with animals and have been taught how to allow the animal to come to them etc and will be watched carefully around the cat and not allowed to handle on their own until I am confident with both animal and child that they have an understanding
but if anyone has any tips on doing that it would be gratefully recieved
They are 4 aand 2.

OP posts:
loopylindi · 15/10/2021 15:07

You could try a dog crate with all its bits and bobs inside. It will give him/her a safe place. Also, if you are leaving it on its own for any length of time leave a radio or TV on to what you usually listen to.

Original poster
Newmummytoakitten · 15/10/2021 15:44

Thanks loopy I did wonder about a crate so will try and source one even if it only uses it for a short period in the early days

I am hoping kitten wont be left without someone in the house for long periods to begin with but one of my cats loved the radio so will make sure to remember that

OP posts:
AvoidDairy · 15/10/2021 15:53

Give is something very soft and snuggly to sleep on, it will be used to being in a heap of kittens and mum. I have several cats and one, although now fully grown loves to paw away a particular soft cushion like they would their mum to make the milk flow.

MissConductUS · 15/10/2021 16:02

The crate is very useful if you have older cats in the house when the kitten is brought in, as it gives them a chance to meet while keeping the kitten safe.

icedcoffees · 15/10/2021 20:26

Many cats will be distressed at being shut in a small place - please, please don't shut it away in a crate.

MissConductUS · 15/10/2021 20:39

@icedcoffees

Many cats will be distressed at being shut in a small place - please, please don't shut it away in a crate.
You can leave the door open and let the kitten come and go as it pleases. Cats instinctively seek sheltered spaces. That's why they love jumping into cardboard boxes.
unhappyhomebuyer · 15/10/2021 20:40

You absolutely definitely need 2

icedcoffees · 15/10/2021 20:51

You can leave the door open and let the kitten come and go as it pleases. Cats instinctively seek sheltered spaces. That's why they love jumping into cardboard boxes.

Yes, but choosing to seek out small spaces is very different from being shut away in small spaces.

Yes, you could leave the door open but if that's the case, you may as well just use a cardboard box lol or an igloo bed instead.

ShoppingBasket · 15/10/2021 20:51

A hot water bottle for its bed and maybe a small clock to replicate a heartbeat. It will be used to the warmth from its litter

MrsSkylerWhite · 15/10/2021 20:53

We kept our girls in a large dog crate when alo e until they felt confident and secure. Also, book a vet check ASAP. Like GP’s, there’s a bit of a wait atm.

icedcoffees · 15/10/2021 21:14

Re. The vet I would speak to your local surgery and make sure they're accepting new patients as I know many practises have closed their books to new clients.

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