Getting a kitten next week!

Hello! I just wanted to know what is the basic necessities that a 2 or 3 month old needs? My sister gave me some cat food but it is for older cats also. Do I mix water in it or should I just buy food that is for kittens only? She gave me 2 big bags of this food! It's called 9 lives daily essentials. Please help!! I want everything to be just right for the kitten when she comes home with me. 

answering you question: Do buy some good food for kittens only.

This product 9 lives may prob be OK for grown up cats, but is not good enough for kittens. Among others, the fat contend should be higher.

You can fill up a little with this 9 lives, after the kitten has eaten his portions and wants more

(they usually do   ) .

But the basic diet should be kitten food.  Wet or dry.

If you cant get good kitten food, but can get good food "for active cats", this should be OK.

Kitten and Active cats do typically have better content than say  Adult cats or Indoor cats.

Very good brands may be good enough also for kittens.

Say Orijen has more than 40% proteins, and about 20% fats.  Ie about as much as kitten foods of most other brands...

Mixing water into the dry food?  For small kittens it could be necessary. But for delivery ready it shouldnt be necessary.

If you want it wet its better to give ready made wet cat food.  

Last: I suspect the kitten is really a little too young. The rule of thumb is, the best if the kittens are with mom and siblings to at least 10 weeks, preferably 12.

But here I suspect the best for the kitten may be to come to your good home...

You are always welcome with questions - and news of how it is going!  

Good luck!   *vibes*

Kittens are pretty much self-starters for the new pet owner, but a few tricks will make the arrival easier for both you and the kitten.

1. Keep the kitten in one small room, preferably a bathroom or some such thing for the first few days.  Put its food, water, and litter box in there with it.  This gives the kitten a chance to get in good habits, find the litter box easily, and have a "safe room" where it feels completely unthreatened.

2.  Get the kitten to a vet as soon as possible.  It will need a full check-up, and probably deworming, flea treatment, and a few vaccines. 

3.  "Kitten proof" your house.  It's much the same as for a child.  Don't leave strings or wires on the floor.  Put hazardous materials in closed cupboards.  If you have house plants, check on their toxicity and put them out of reach.

4.  Learn to clip the kitten's front claws.  This will make it easier to handle and less damaging to anything it might scratch on.

5.  Keep the kitten indoors all the time.  It's easier to establish this practice at the very first.  Kept indoors, this could be your little loving companion for 20 years.

Check back here for any questions, comments, or other help.

Thanks for the responses! I am so happy that I am getting a kitten this week!   I will buy some food that is just for kittens only and also canned food. I think this kitten will be spoiled! I already ordered an cat bed for her on Amazon! I hope she likes it. As soon as I get her I will post pics of her. I just love this website. I been on other cat forums before and I seen some negative responses that was not needed! This is the only cat forum I will ever use!  MrBlanche, I will keep her in the bathroom for a few days like you said. Thanks again!! 

Btw, Should I buy ceramic bowls for her?

Yeah, ceramic bowls are good.  Or simply, some of your own kitchen plates which you perhaps dont use anymore.

Stainless steel OK, plastic not so good. Although now and then perhaps dont matter much.

I'm personally of the opinion that raising a kitten is good training for taking care of human babies. Yeah, a lot of the experience doesn't transfer, but having a kitten will acquaint you with the necessity of dealing with a number of bodily secretions, teach you patience and vigilance, and the importance of taking care of the little one every day for years to come.

It's possible for us to get very judgmental about food, etc.  We all love cats, and it can be hard not to speak up when you see someone doing something that we think isn't best for the kitten. 

Part of it is that we have all seen the results of bad decisions that people make for their cats.  Just read through our "Crossing the Bridge" section to see the results and the broken hearts.

Hey Guys! I got my kitten today! Here is a few pics of her! Trying to figure out a name for her now. She is 4 months. I put her on my lap and started rubbing her and started to purr instantly! 

Awww, she is absolutely adorable!!  Congrats! 

Wow what a cutie!! Congrats  

Congratulations She is a beauty, just precious :love:. Did you decide on a name yet?

Feralvr said:

Congratulations

She is a beauty, just precious

. Did you decide on a name yet?

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Thanks! I named her Jasmine.  It took me a while to come up with a name! I named her yesterday.

Awwww Congratulations What a cute cute kitten! :heart3:
Welcome to TCS Jasmine :rub: and mom!

Hope all is well with Jasmine :cross: and she is eating well now. Your other thread is in this forum too now - just checking in to see how it is going

Thanks!! She is eating on her own now!   She is sniffing things and running back to her safe room! I think it is soooooo cute!!! 

There is an excellent tread now about kitten food in the Nutrition forum. Had you seen it?

Anyway, here is the link: 

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/239974/question-about-kitten-food
 

AnimalLover83 said:

TShe is eating on her own now! 

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Swell!  Did you told this also in your other tread?

Good luck!