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Hello everyone, my name is Jessica. I am new here. I am getting my first kitten on my own in May. My friends cat had them March 26 and she sends me lots of updated pics. I have had cats growing up, but this one will be my first baby. She is a calico and I named her Zivah (sivah) which is Israeli and means radiant. I am very excited about getting her, but I don't know what all I need to have ready for when I bring her home. I have been looking at litter boxes and they all seem like they would be too tall for her to get in easily. Any suggestions? Also, would it better to get her a cat condo or a scratching post starting out? Unfortunately I have to have in my parents house over the summer since I decided to go home between semester at school. She is going to have to learn two new homes, which I feel bad about, but I wanted to be with her as soon as I could rather than waiting until August to bring her to school with me. I would put up pictures of her but I don't know how. If you can explain it to me that would be wonderful!!! Anyways have a good day!!
~Jess~

Hi Jess and Welcome to TCS!

How exciting for you to be getting a baby of your own! I'm sure she'll adjust fine to the two new homes! Ziva is a lovely name, I imagine it really suits her!

In regards to litter trays, there are many different shapes and sizes! If she is still rather small, then you might want to get a kitten litter tray, as they are smaller and have lower sides!

I would say yes to getting her a condo and/or scratch post, as you'll be able to get her used to it sooner!

To post pictures, you'll need to get yourself an account at www.photobucket.com where you can upload pictures from your hard drive. You'll then have to copy and paste the third line of the text under the image (in photobucket), with the

I hope that helps, somewhat!

I look forward to hearing more about your kitty (and seeing pictures) and getting to know you in the other forums!

Congratulations on your new kitty

I'll move this to care and grooming where the others can help you

Thats a lovely name you have chosen for your kitty

Ooooh, that is so exciting for you! Be careful though, it only takes a second to fall in love with them..and then you're hooked for life!! (in a good way of course)

I'm very happy for you!

Kitten Care List:

Litter box (if you don't want to use a regular one till she is bigger, you can get the disposable cake pans cheap.

Litter - I prefer the scoopable kind - less odor then clay.

Litter pan scooper

Good quality scratching post. Should be the bigger kind - worth the investment in the long run. The cheap post will fall over - has to withstand stratching and stretching, so post should be a minimum of 4 feet tall. You can get the cardboard flat kinds - mine like that and use it as much as the post.

Separate food/water dishes. The ones that are together are a pain in the butt to use cause you have to empty the water a lot. Much easier to get 2 dishes that separate - avoid the plastic ones; use stainless steal or the more ceramic kinds that can be washed. The plastic holds odors and you cannot really sanitize them.

Good quality food - not the cheaper kinds. Avoid cat foods with dye in them (Meow Mix). Go for Iams, Science Diet, Nutro Max as the better quality foods.

Nail clippers - the scissor kind works best.

Combs - one fine toothed flea comb and one regular one (if the kitten is longhair you need to condition them to routine grooming - several times a week to avoid mats).

You may want to start her w/ non scoopable litter to start with= young kittens are sometimes prone to eat it. Once she gets to be about 4 months old you can go scoopable.

For litter brushes I would suggest the zoom groom, its a nice big rubber brush that works great.

Don't forget to get her toys- most cats love plastic balls, you can't really go wrong w/those.

I was thinking about getting just a normal scratching post while I am staying with my parents over the summer and then when we move into my apartment in May I would get her a big cat condo. That way I wouldn't have to worry about moving to from Austin to Lubbock...

Also what is the best way to travel with her for a 6 hour car ride?

Originally Posted by TexbabyJ

Hello everyone, my name is Jessica. I am new here. I am getting my first kitten on my own in May. My friends cat had them March 26 and she sends me lots of updated pics. I have had cats growing up, but this one will be my first baby. She is a calico and I named her Zivah (sivah) which is Israeli and means radiant. I am very excited about getting her, but I don't know what all I need to have ready for when I bring her home. I have been looking at litter boxes and they all seem like they would be too tall for her to get in easily. Any suggestions? Also, would it better to get her a cat condo or a scratching post starting out? Unfortunately I have to have in my parents house over the summer since I decided to go home between semester at school. She is going to have to learn two new homes, which I feel bad about, but I wanted to be with her as soon as I could rather than waiting until August to bring her to school with me. I would put up pictures of her but I don't know how. If you can explain it to me that would be wonderful!!! Anyways have a good day!!
~Jess~

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Welcome. This is a great site to help raise your baby Zivah. I love the name. You will want to have plenty of toys and scratch items so your furniture is saved.

what are some recommendations for toys

Originally Posted by TexbabyJ

what are some recommendations for toys

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Skittles loves the fussy mice we can not have enough and the balls with bells in it.