What to prepare for when getting a new kitten?

[NaOH]

The GF and I have been looking at adding another four legged friend into the mix. I currently have a pom+dachsund mix that's 15lbs and she's really laid back, so I don't think introducing her to a cat will be much of a problem. What are some tips, products, food (I feed my dog canidae right now) that you guys swear by? Just trying to nip any problems at the bud. Thanks ahead of time!

 

[Sea Moose]

a camera, so you can take Lol cat pics

*squeal* kiitens are cutie pies!!!

 

[lxskllr]

I've never been particular. I always feed my cats Alley Cat dry food, and I use some kind of scoopable litter, but otherwise the animals find their own place. You might want to get a scratching post. My girl really likes the jute wound post I have, but the tom couldn't care less about it.

 

[D1gger]

Just get a potato sack. It is easier to throw them in the river when they are in a sack.

 

[NaOH]

a camera, so you can take Lol cat pics

*squeal* kiitens are cutie pies!!!

Was that a FBB reference? lol

YES THEY ARE
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pet/1958192318.html

 

[lxskllr]

Are you getting a white cat? I read where they have higher instances of skin cancer. I wouldn't stress over it, but it would be worth it for you to look into that. You might want to limit it's sun exposure.

 

[KeithTalent]

Exercise wheel:

KT

 

[NaOH]

Are you getting a white cat? I read where they have higher instances of skin cancer. I wouldn't stress over it, but it would be worth it for you to look into that. You might want to limit it's sun exposure.

Hmm, didn't know this. It's not certain what kind of a cat yet, but white is definitely near the top of our want list. It'll mostly stay indoors too so I don't think that'll be a problem.

 

[alkemyst]

Hmm, didn't know this. It's not certain what kind of a cat yet, but white is definitely near the top of our want list. It'll mostly stay indoors too so I don't think that'll be a problem.

Should be always indoors. It's rare to be in a locale where outside cats can thrive anymore.

Just look at how cautious people are of their kids.

Drivers speed within inches of a kid in a crosswalk, a pet has no chance.

I worked for a vet in college. Almost every outdoor cat, even if only a few hours a day, when X-rayed showed BB's lodged inside it's body.

Just something to think about.

 

[alkemyst]

also on a side note. A female cat (when spayed) has a lot less potential problems than a male.

I have a cat (finally going 2+ years with no issues) that had to have a $1000 surgery almost each year the first 4-5 of their life

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Be sure to spay/neuter the kitty. Feed the dog and cat in different areas.

 

[Barfo]

Ditch the GF and get a new one to go with the kitchen.

 

[IronWing]

Be prepared to spend a lot of time with it when it's a kitten. Kittens are shockingly stupid, always looking for suicide opportunities. Will a kitten crawl into a plastic bag, curl up, and go to sleep with no air? Yep. Will it try to eat the bag? Yep. Will it climb as high as possible and then walk straight off the edge? Yep.

 

[sandorski]

Leg scabs and pulled threads.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Leg scabs and pulled threads.

Pet nail clipper

 

[amdhunter]

Mashed potatoes, some chili sauce and a little chianti.

 

[NaOH]

Should be always indoors. It's rare to be in a locale where outside cats can thrive anymore.

Just look at how cautious people are of their kids.

Drivers speed within inches of a kid in a crosswalk, a pet has no chance.

<b>I worked for a vet in college. Almost every outdoor cat, even if only a few hours a day, when X-rayed showed BB's lodged inside it's body.</b>

Just something to think about.

Holy shit! Thanks for comments (whether helpful or comedic), what food should i go with? I bought a bag of nutro all natural. It was kinda awkward though because this other lady was trying to push her product on us at the store. It was called Blue. Any thoughts on this brand? Just looking for a good food where the second ingredient isn't corn meal.

 

[IronWing]

We feed ours Enova Evo and Wellness grain free foods. We have one diabetic cat so it kind of forced the decision to try grain free. We found the cats put on more muscle and lose fat with the grain free food.

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

Learn how to express the anal glands.

 

[IronWing]

Learn how to express the anal glands.

I did. I'm not allowed in Walmart anymore. :'(

 

[CrimsonWolf]

We feed our kitteh Nutro. The vet is very happy with his weight, coat of fur, and whatnot.

If there is anything precious or expensive that the kitten might sink it's claws into, move it or keep it safe somehow. When we adopted our stray a couple years ago, Ecco dress shoes went back into the shoebox, put leather messenger bag in a closed closet after work, etc. Keeping a scratching post in most rooms helps with this. Just plop kitteh down by a scratching post and run his front paws on it. They'll figure it out. If you've already got a dog you're probably used to this.

Don't go cheap on kitty litter. Just don't. We use Fresh Step premium or whatever it's called. Can get 40lbs for under $20 at Sam's or Costco. It really cuts down on the smell.

 

[malbojah]

Don't go cheap on kitty litter. Just don't. We use Fresh Step premium or whatever it's called. Can get 40lbs for under $20 at Sam's or Costco. It really cuts down on the smell.

And empty it every day unless you want the kitten to find his/her own spots to go

 

[Newbian]

Exercise wheel:

KT

Making a predator act like prey is not they way to go.

 

[DrPizza]

I second the good kitty litter. I've got some awesome kittens if you want one! 2 are extremely friendly, so I think I might try to find nice homes for them.

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

I wanna skip kitty litter n teach my cats how to use the toilet.