New kitten - have I got everything?

[mummarunner]

We are ready to adopt our first ever kitten in a few weeks' time. DH grew up with cats so knows a thing or two, however I am clueless. I have a list of things I think we need before we bring her home. Is this everything? I am very aware that it is a little like having a baby and buying all the paraphernalia but half of it never getting used!

So far we have:

Litter tray
Carrier to bring her home in/vets visits
Scratching post
Bed
Feeding bowls/dispensers
Food

Have I missed anything? And if anyone has any recommendations, particularly on scratch posts/beds which work for you, then I'd be very grateful.

Thank you so much, and excited to join you!

Toys 😊 x

Some toys? Fishing rod style are good, and ping pong balls.
Different places to sleep - a cardboard box with a rug in it, a covered place under a bed or shelf to hid and a regulation cat bed that cat will ignore.
Something to climb up on, this can be part of a scratch post unit.
My boy likes cardboard scratch mats more than scratch post, but prefers stairs carpet for his main scratching times.
Mine was 6 month old rescue kitten so others may have better advice for tiny kitten stage.
No photo?

I'd suggest a dog crate so you won't have to worry about it getting out of an open door. You'll need to keep it in for a few weeks. Also some simple toys. Is there any chance of a litter mate to keep it company and give it a friend to play with. We got a scratch post from L... which lasted ages until she shredded it to bits.

Catnip.

You need another kitten.
And cardboard boxes with holes.

Second phone in case something happens to your existing one.........no photo opportunity must be missed under any circumstances!

Otherwise, cardboard in any shape or form, our furry idiot likes loo roll holders...

Brush, flea comb

Lots of toys especially till can go outside. Brush. I had a plug in calming thing which I think helped with settling in. Treats.

Toys, which may be ignored for a while, but will probably be played with eventually.
Lots of patience.
Don't get kitten milk. - it's expensive an will encourage her to refuse water and pester you for the milk
Don't get a cat bed, just fold your favourite item of clothing and turn your back.

brush for the cat
rubber brush or rubber glove for removing cat hairs from clothes and furniture

Germolene and plasters. Kittens don't know to keep their claws in for a while.

Kitten appropriate toys and treats.
Cardboard box with holes, some ping pong balls (pop them and kitten in a dry bath and watch the mayhem).

New curtains to put up once kitten no longer climbs them. Good luck. Ours are almost 2 and I still have a curtain swinger....

Another kitten,if not lots of chasing toys, forget the bed,your kitten will use yours 😹 enjoy your kitten. Cardboard boxes are great for kittens/cats. Our old boy (19) still loves a box.

Well, the bed was a waste! I've never known a cat sleep in a cat bed...unless you count mine as his! Having said that we bought a 'cat tower' with scratching posts which I was totally confident would be a waste of money, but there are always at least 2 furries asleep in/on it!

Have I missed anything?

Yes! A photo! 😃

Ooo yes! Kitten photo please

Haha! I came on to say exactly that!

Pet insurance.

Actually I don't think kittens are into catnip, only when they get older does it have an effect.

Maybe a laser pointer toy?
A "kicker" toy.
Seconding the plasters for your hands!
Throws for your furniture, so you can take them (and the cat hairs) off when you have guests round - I do it the other way round, clean throws ON when guests arrive.
You will need a few bowls for food, at least a couple for wet and at least one for dry.
Should ideally be 2 litter trays. remember to ask what litter/food they are using now, so you can get the same. Sudden changes can lead to a horrible mess! You can always try changing slowly later on.

Forget the bed. They’ll sleep where they like.

If you have an idea they aren’t sleeping on your bed you’re about to have your bum handed to you by an animal with a brain the size of a walnut.

I'll pop a photo on shortly! Ok, so cardboard boxes and toys (I'd actually forgotten about toys!), noted. I have heard mixed reviews on whether a cat bed is worth it - I haven't bought one yet so maybe I'll leave that. We have plenty of cosy spots she will find to sleep I'm sure. I'll look into cardboard scratch mats too as they seem popular.

Are those scratch posts with a cubby hole/sleep spot any good? I love the cat trees but not sure we would have the space for one of those.

RIP my curtains, I hadn't thought about that...!

Really appreciate the advice, thank you.

Ours use their cat beds, amongst many other places. I bought the fluffy "doughnut" shaped beds and they all love them. They also sleep on our laps, on the heated airer, inside cardboard boxes, on top of the plastic greenhouse and under the fleece blanket I bought for myself to use on the sofa....

Kiss your nice, fine knitwear goodbye too as you'll find it's ruined in weeks. I now live in fleeces....

That was 22 minute ago.

WHERE IS THE PHOTO?

😁

I am retracting all my good advice if there is no photo today.

My kitten sleeps in his bed. Takes himself to bed sometimes too