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? asked in PetsCats · 2 weeks ago

Cat essentials to buy for my kitten?????

so i got a 6-week old kitten 2 days ago and i have been trying to buy everything last minute since this was a last-minute decision to take him home with me. 

So far ive gotten him a couple of toys, a bed, a litter box (which he is already using), cardboard scratcher.

Can anyone else give me some other things to buy for him? 

like toys, vitamins and nutrition recommendations, food brands that will benefit him. 

4 Answers

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  • 2 weeks ago

    Take him to Petco and let him pick out anything he wants. And don't forget to spoil the child rotten!

  • Shay
    Lv 7
    2 weeks ago

    There are some great answers here with lots of details.

    I just want to add something that I didn't notice in any other answer.

    Cats are actually lactose intolerant.  DO NOT give your kitten cows milk.  Since the kitten is so young, if you want to give it some milk - then get kitten formula from a pet store.  Cows milk WILL give the kitten diarrhea.  By the age of three months, a kitten doesn't need milk at all.  But, if the kitten was still with the momma cat - a six week old kitten would still be nursing for part of it's diet.  A momma cat will often allow a kitten to nurse until they are around three months old before pushing them away and refusing to allow them to nurse.  

    As for food - avoid foods that start with "corn meal" or other grains as the first ingredient.  Cats are carnivores and too much grain in their diet can cause health issues.  Their diet should be mostly meat based.  It isn't really about brand.  It is about what is in the food.  

    Here is a great article to help make good choices for feeding your cat:

    https://www.catological.com/worst-cat-foods/

  • 2 weeks ago

    The first thing I bought when I adopt my first cat is food, litter box, and carrier. You need a pet carrier to take him to the vet or other places. I bought my cat a collar when he's around 9 months so he won't outgrow the collar. I didn't let my cat outside without supervision before 9 months, but if you want to let your cat outside, buy a collar with id tag. I also have wet wipes around me at all times, especially when my cat is younger, so I can wipe off any questionable smear. You need a comb and nail clipper to groom him, also a lint roller to brush his fur that was stuck to my clothes. You dont have to give vitamins to a healthy cat because its just a waste of money. 

  • PR
    Lv 7
    2 weeks ago

    Six weeks is relatively young for a kitten to go to its new home, so the most important advice would be in how to take care of the baby at this point.

    Housing: First, this baby should not have full run of the house. He should be kept in a small room such as a bathroom where he will be very close to his litter box. A small kitten should never be farther than about 6 to 10 feet from his box, or he may begin using other places and you will not know this until he has been doing it for awhile. Even when you bring him out to play, bring his box out and remind him of its location by putting him in the box, about each 10 minutes. A baby kitten is a bit like a human baby and is still learning.

    Litter: Only use standard clay litter until about 12 weeks or older. A smaller kitten will often get the clumping litter stuck to their paws and swallow it, which can lead to digestive problems. Only use standard litter. Use a box that is not too tall, either.

    Food: At six weeks, he should be eating canned food mixed with water. Closer to eight weeks, you can begin mixing some dry food in the canned, still adding water to make a stew-like mixture. This is much easier for him to digest and will avoid needless trips to the vet.

    Water: Always keep a dish of water within easy reach so the kitten does not become dehydrated. 

    Bed: Any box or kitten bed will do. Cats like small spaces to cuddle in.

    Toys: Kittens like toys they can push around such as yarn balls, pom-poms, wadded up paper balls, foil balls, toy mice. Some kittens will have a favorite toy. Laser toys are better for an older cat and should never be shined in a cat's eyes because it could cause problems with the retina.

    Night-time: Kitten can sleep with you as long as there is a litter box nearby. 

    Digestive issues: If a kitten develops diarrhea, TAKE KITTEN TO THE VET. Diarrhea can easily dehydrate a kitten. Often the kitten has parasites and needs a vet to clear this up. It is much better to have the medication prescribed and administered by a vet and especially if a kitten is young. Kittens will often go in a corner to avoid the box, if they have diarrhea.

    Neutering: Be sure to get the kitten neutered by about 5 months of age. You can check with the Humane Society for low-cost neuter clinics. If a cat is not neutered, it will be much more likely to wander, get into fights, spray in the house, and suffer from reproductive cancers later in life. Neutering is very important.

    Needed items: 

    -Litter box of appropriate size; non-clumping litter; canned food of any variety (we use 9-Lives)

    -Nutro kitten food once he is eating dry food (great for shiny fur). This food helped our rescue kittens look much healthier.

    -Normal kitten toys

    -Small brush 

    -Capstar or Nitenpyram from online if any fleas (look up age to use this); flea comb if any fleas before 8 weeks.

    -Kitten check-up: Important for the kitten's welfare.

    -Wormer or get wormed by vet. A kitten may still have worms even if you have wormed it - DO NOT worm kitten before age on label but GO TO THE VET.

    -Collar and I.D: Once kitten is about 3 months old, get a collar with I.D. because if he gets outside, you will want him to be identifiable. A wandering cat can easily be mistaken for a homeless kitty and people will just ignore it. Also MICROCHIP the cat/kitten. This identifies the animal even if a collar falls off.

    Once kitty is older keep in mind that:

    Bladder infection: Cats often avoid using the litter box if they develop a bladder infection, due to the pain they feel, and then associate with the box. A trip to the vet is in order.

    Too quiet: If a cat is "not acting himself" a vet visit is in order. Sometimes this is the only clue something is wrong. Always take this seriously and consult with the vet.

    Not eating: Of course, if a cat is not eating like normal, time for a vet visit.

    Vacationing: If you go on vacation, please have someone come into the house to feed and check on the cat, daily. Cats can become frightened when their owners are not at home and may not even eat, despite your leaving food for them. Having someone check in on them, play with them or in the least be sure they are O.K. will avoid needless issues. Do not take a cat to a kennel because this frightens cats a lot!

    Rescue leagues: If you ever cannot keep the cat, take to an animal rescue league. Leagues DO NOT euthanize, while shelters euthanize 80% of cats and kittens brought to them.

    Good luck with your new baby!

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