Getting a kitten next week!

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.

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.

Awww, she is absolutely adorable!!  Congrats! 

Wow what a cutie!! Congrats :) 

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
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnimalLover83 

TShe is eating on her own now! 

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

Good luck!