What to buy for a Cat | First Time Kitten Owner

 Modern pet stores can provide a large assortment of everything you need to buy for a kitten: food, hygiene products and all the necessary accessories. For convenience, before going to the store, you should prepare a shopping list.

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CARRYING

First of all, to transport a kitten from the cattery, you should buy a carrier. Of course, the first transportation can be carried out, as they say, “in the bosom”, but it would be more far-sighted to think about further trips to the veterinary clinic, out of town, to visit.


For practical reasons, it is best to immediately take a carrier for an adult animal, because kittens grow very quickly. The owner will not even have time to look back, as the animal reaches the size of an adult cat, and the small carrier will become cramped for him. You should not save too - this is a purchase for a lifetime. The most convenient and practical carriers made of plastic: they can be easily disassembled and washed.


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FEED

Most obviously, the new pet will need food. To choose food, it is best to visit a specialized pet store: this way the owner can get acquainted with a large selection and get professional advice.

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kitten food

In order not to provoke indigestion, you should not immediately buy a large number of different types of feed “for testing”. It is recommended to limit your choice to one firm. The ideal option is to use the same diet that the breeder previously fed.


Pet nutrition experts now agree that it is best to feed cats a combination of wet and dry food. Wet (canned) food is offered to the pet 1-2 times a day, while dry food is in the bowl on an ongoing basis. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the animal has constant access to food, provide it with an additional source of moisture (in the form of a wet diet) and pamper the kitten with a variety of tastes and textures. For example, PRO PLAN® JUNIOR kitten pate with chicken and PRO PLAN® Original Kitten with chicken can be used .


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BOWLS FOR FOOD AND WATER

Be sure to take care of the bowls for the kitten. He will be able to eat from household dishes, but the use of specialized bowls will facilitate easier access to food.

The kitten will need three bowls: the first for wet food and treats, the second for dry food, and the third for clean drinking water. It is recommended to choose bowls made of inert materials, such as ceramic and glass, so as not to irritate the pet's skin and oxidize the food.


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TRAY

A cat litter tray is also a must-buy. In any pet store you can find a dozen different design options: covered and not, with and without mesh, angled and straight, square and rounded, electronic self-cleaning and the simplest, made of inexpensive plastic.


The choice of a tray depends on the habits of the cat, the features of the interior and the material possibilities of the owner. If there are no specific ideas on this subject, for the first time it is easiest to purchase the simplest and most inexpensive option.


TRAY FILLER

As a filler, the most important thing is not to use newspaper, other paper or rags for the tray. Over time, a kitten who is used to urinating on such materials will perceive documents left on the coffee table, or things, as the same toilet. Weaning animals from this can be very difficult.


It is recommended to use specialized fillers: silica-gel or clay, clumping or absorbent - the choice in stores is huge. There is no correct answer here either. Over time, the owner will have time to try different options and find the one that will be most convenient.


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CAT TREE

It is recommended to get a scratching post. By accustoming the kitten to the point of claws in a particular place, the owner will be able to reduce the damage caused to the furniture in the future. Those who allow the space of the apartment should think about acquiring a special tree, including a place to relax, scratching posts, and even some options for static toys - a kind of gymnastic complex for a cat.


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TOYS

The choice of toys is limited only by the imagination of the owner and the assortment of the selected store. The only rule is that toys should be specially designed for cats (it is better to buy at a pet store) - this will help prevent toxic objects from entering the mouth and swallowing unsuitable for this.


A win-win option is a toy on a "rod" (on a rope with a stick). There are a lot of variations of these toys in the store. The use of a “rod” will not only provide the kitten with the necessary activity, but will also help bring family members closer to him.


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HYGIENE PRODUCTS

When visiting a pet store, you also need to buy hygiene items. Shampoo for washing cats should be mandatory. It's not that cats need to be washed often - they can do it themselves, but in case of contamination with toxic or difficult-to-clean substances, having such a shampoo in the house can really help out.


Toothbrush with specialized toothpaste - it would be nice if the owner tries to teach the kitten to brush his teeth from childhood. It's no secret that most cats do not tolerate this procedure, but those few pets that their owners still managed to negotiate with can boast of healthy teeth throughout their lives.


Comb, slicker, mat cutter - the choice is often not obvious. Much here depends on the breed, type of skin and coat, the presence of undercoat. Before buying these care items, it is better to consult a breeder, or wait until the animal reaches puberty so that it becomes obvious what type of coat you will have to deal with.


What you need for sure is a nail cutter. There are two main types of this simple invention on the market: the guillotine and scissors. Both tools do their job perfectly, it's all about convenience. Most people who have ever held garden shears in their hands can be advised the second option (scissors).


Despite the simplicity of cutting the claws of kittens, it is recommended to carry out the first procedure under the supervision of a specialist (veterinarian, groomer).

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