If you have never owned a cat before and are thinking of getting one, you may find yourself with many questions. Hopefully, this article will answer most, if not all of them.

Feed Premium Cat Food
First there was the question of food. I recommend any premium quality cat food, either wet, dry or both. Your best pet foods will be found at the natural food stores, natural pet care stores and feed stores.

A premium quality food will have no by-products, no artificial anything - including colors, flavors and preservatives. It will list a meat-based protein source first, and probably will have more than one source.

Grains should be kept to a minimum, and should be whole grains, not fractions such as corn gluten meal or rice bran. Or feed a premium, grain-free mix.

Cats and kittens require a high protein, high fat diet.

How Often Should I Feed?
Feed kittens two to four times a day, less often as they get older. Pick up any leftover food after thirty minutes.

Don't be alarmed if it looks like the kitten isn't eating well. Even adult cats eat a small amount at a time, and kittens are very small animals.

Cats also won't eat if upset or nervous, as your new kitten will probably be.

Be sure to have water available at all times.

For food dishes, any small, shallow container will work. They seem to have the easiest time getting every last bit out of dishes with rounded bottoms.

Treats
There are a wide variety of commercial treats available for cats. Use the same care in choosing a treat as you would a food.

Don't overdo the treats, or the cat will wait for them and not eat his regular diet. You also run the risk of overfeeding.

Many cats like certain fruits and vegetables. Experiment to see what your kitten likes and use tiny bits of these for treats. Some foods they often like include cantaloupe, broccoli, green beans, asparagus and squash.

The Litter Box - A Must
The next item you will need for a cat is a litter box or two.

The type of litter you choose depends more on your preference than the cat's, although as a rule I would avoid any scented litters.

Keep the boxes clean by removing solid waste several times a day. Clumping litters allow you to remove the urine as well, but these types may not be good for your cat's health. The properties that allow the litter to clump together also cause it to clump in the cats intestine if they ingest too much of it. (They will often have a grain or two stuck to a paw, which they will swallow during grooming).

See natural litter options

For non-clumping litters, stir the litter to disperse the urine, this allows it to dry quickly and lessens odor. Change the litter entirely once a week or as needed.

The mother cat usually trains her offspring to use the litter box. Unless you have adopted a feral kitten who has never seen one, the most you may need to do is to put the kitten in the box and scratch the litter a little bit. Let him get out by himself, so he can orient himself to its location.

more on litter boxes...

No Scratching on the Furniture, Please!
A scratching post for your kitten will save your drapes and furniture. Sisal posts are best, but many cats enjoy the cardboard ones with catnip. See our article on scratching posts for details on their use.

Get your kitten used to having his paws handled early on, in preparation for your trimming his claws. Buy a special scissors for the purpose, and make it a pleasant occasion for the kitten. Do this by giving extra yummy treats or by giving him lots of love and affection in between each snip of the scissors.

more on trimming claws...

See the Vet
You will want to have your new kitten examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

If you are looking for a vet for the first time, start by asking trusted friends and coworkers. Choose a vet as you would any doctor. You want someone you can be comfortable with, someone who will answer your questions and take time to talk about your concerns.

It's Always Playtime!
Kittens love to play - especially late at night. They don't really need any special toys, but you may enjoy shopping for them.


When giving them something to play with, give it the same thought you would in giving a toy to a baby or small child - as in can they swallow this?

String and yarn are traditional cat toys, but are actually dangerous. Many cats will swallow strings, and they can severely tie up the intestines.

I have made simple catnip toys by stuffing infant socks with dried catnip and sewing them closed. Paper bags also make great toys.

Where Will he Sleep?
Cat beds are nice, but few cats restrict themselves to one sleeping place. They like to follow the sun, and couch backs and your bed are favorite places.

Cats like small spaces, so the kitten will probably be most comfortable in a kitten-sized bed, which means you will have to replace it as she grows.

A basket lined with a soft towel works fine, too.

Minimize Stress
The world is a scary place for young kitten, especially if it has just left its mother. To minimize stress, put your kitty in a quiet room by himself when you first bring him home.

Put his food, water and other supplies in there with him and leave him alone for a while. Allow him time to get used to a new environment before adjusting to people.

In no time he will discover that your lap is a very comfortable place to be and your touch is a source of pleasure.

Cats are amazingly self-reliant animals. They will learn the ropes just fine. In a day or two, open the door to the cat's room and let him begin to explore.

Double Your Fun!
Kittens should come in pairs. One is fun, but two is better.
The two will play together, sleep together and provide endless hours of entertainment and photo opportunities.

They will also chase each other across your bed at 2:00 am.

Relax and enjoy your new kittens, they grow up so fast!
Buy a good cat care book or two, use your intuition, and bookmark this site for further reading.

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