New kitten essentials?

[AintNobodyHereButUsChickens]

We're hopefully getting a kitten very soon and I'm wondering if there are any essentials I've forgotten! This will be our first cat so will be a huge learning curve for all of us 😬

Bed
Litter tray
Litter
Bowls
Food (any recommendations?)
Toys
A cardboard box (I've heard alllllll about cats and their love of boxes 🤣)
Carrier
Insurance (any recommendations?)
Vets

Of course there WILL be pictures if/when we get it!

We’ve got insurance with PetPlan and have found them very good. They cover problems for life if you have consistent cover with them.

I’d add a laser pointer to your list. And puppy pads to put in the carrier in case kitty pees in it.

Yes, can recommend pet plan also.

I thought laser pointers weren't very good for them?

I've got plenty of puppy pads (excellent idea!) from when DS kept weeing in his carseat.

Lol you beat me to it! A laser pen is an essential.

Not sure if you're the sort but we practically take a hundred pictures a day of our cats (we don't have/want children), so maybe a storage plan online?

Scratching post

Also maybe an activity toy (the figure of 8 one with a rolling ball for them to chase) as they have SO much energy!

Also those fishing poles with toys at the end are really helpful!

Laser pens are great fun, just don’t shine them in their eyes.

Have you chosen a kitten yet? Looking forward to seeing a photo when you've got him/her :)

I'm sure it's not great for them, something about them never being able to catch the dot, the constant frustration can mess with their heads.

Seriously weird and awful to get out but paper grass mats. My kittens couldn't get enough of them.

Yes, Insurance!! Our 14 month old cost me £1200 at the vets yesterday as she somehow managed to rip an 8cm laceration in her chest whilst out and about! No idea how she managed it.
Don’t bother with the bed if you’ve got a box and a blanket!!

Food recommendation: initially you need to find out what the shelter or breeder has been feeding them, because any transition has to be very gradual. But you should be using high-quality (ie high meat content) and grain-free wet food, with as little dry food as feasible (although that last piece of advice is pretty controversial).
Bear in mind that kittens are usually recommended in pairs, ideally siblings, to keep each other company. So if you just get one kitten it may feel very lonely at first and need more human comfort, especially at night.
Our cat has consistently ignored any bed we bought for him in favour of sofas and our beds. It’s a good idea to get some kind of tall cat tree or wall attachment system though, so the kitten can feel safe away from human level.

Shamelessly jumping on the thread because I'm in the same boat. We will be picking up our new kitten in a month and it's our first.

As well as things to buy does anyone have any advice about how to help him feel happy and safe. And what we need to do to make the house safe?
Are there any recommended books for taking care of kittens?

Thank you.

I agree with op about laser pointers. We got one for our kitties, and after using it a bit it felt a bit cruel, as they had no way of catching the 'prey' and they got frustrated with it.

Also jumping the thread, but can I ask if/how much you are paying for your new kittens?

We're collecting our two kittens today too! No recommendations for books, but we have found Jackson Galaxy (what a name!) on YouTube very good for videos about cat behaviour, how to make them happy, etc.

Surely a dkitten playmate?

Mine had zero interest in laser pointers. He briefly looked at it, then ignored it from then on.

We are picking up our new kittens in two weeks! Although we are experienced cat owners it's been 17 years since we had little kittens.

I was recommended Animal Friends for pet insurance, so you might want to check that out and compare.

Pics on this thread.

When you get him home it will be soooo tempting to make a big fuss of him, but don't. Leave him to settle on his own terms in one room with all his necessary bits. You can be there with him but act as if he's not there for a bit. He might be super confident and come straight to you for attention, mine came out of his carrier and got straight to exploring and demanding attention, but he also might be nervous and need time to relax.

Cats prefer to drink from running water so I think a fountain is essential, they can't really see still water very well so won't go to a bowl. Miaustore ceramic ones are a bit of an investment but they'll last a lifetime and they're beautiful, practically an art piece as well as a water source.

Make sure all cables are hidden, covered or at least tucked up out of the way, and get some bitter apple spray for if he does feel inclined to chew. I got plastic cable covers on amazon for cables that are always out, and boxes to keep extension cords and things out of the way. If you have houseplants make sure they're non-toxic to cats (and that you don't mind them being chewed or knocked over, if you do move them out).

A feliway calming diffuser is a good buy, I can only speak anecdotally but they do seem to keep things calm and relaxed.

Jackson Galaxy says that a kitten is a toddler who can reach the ceiling - he has some great videos on petproofing rooms on youtube.