We want to congratulate you on your decision to bring a feline companion into your home. While cats are known to be independent creatures in the animal kingdom, they are also known to be loving and affectionate!
Welcoming a new fur friend brings your life a sense of purpose and, of course, responsibility. There’s no question that these fluffy bundles of joy have adorable faces that you’re excited to snuggle with as soon as they arrive at your door. Here’s our kitten checklist that will help you prepare for homecoming day!
Bedding - A space for comfort and cat naps
Cats are known to snooze 12-16 hours per day and even longer as kittens! While kittens love to find the most bizarre places to curl up in a ball, we encouraged you to give them a designated area that they can call their own. An ideal cat bed is easy to clean and allows for them to burrow and hide.
A fun and functional feline hide-out is the P.L.A.Y Horizon Pet Teepee. Your new kitten may feel slightly overwhelmed adjusting to a new environment and the P.L.A.Y Horizon Pet Teepee gives them a space of their own. Additionally, it includes an ergonomic foam cushion and it's made from non-toxic materials to keep the whole family safe and healthy. It’s easy to set up and ethically crafted with machine washable and dryer-friendly material.
Grooming
Cats are known for their self-sufficiency and that includes grooming. However, depending on breed and health conditions, your kitten could need help with grooming. A consistent grooming schedule will reduce matting and hairballs. Occasional baths rid their coat of dirt and aid with abating fleas and ticks, necessary for cats who roam outdoors.
Most kittens don’t require baths, but it’s a good idea to stock up on grooming essentials so you have them when you need them. Bathing a cat takes practice and patience from you and your cat! Make bath time enjoyable for both by using a gentle cleanser such as Earthbath's Eucalyptus and Peppermint Shampoo for Dogs and Cats. The scent is refreshing and leaves your best friend's coat soft, plush, and clean. Baths may not be a cat’s favorite activity, but the pet-friendly essential oils in Earthbath’s shampoo help soothe the mind and relieve skin irritations.
For when you want a quick clean, we love Earthbath's Grooming Cleans & Conditions Green Tea & Awapuhi Plant-Based Wipes. Purr-ents can use these plant-based wipes to clean undercoats and paws to remove dirt, dander, drool, and discharge. All of Earthbath's wipes contain avocado oil, aloe vera & vitamin E to help moisturize both coat and skin and are safe for all animals over six weeks old.
Cat Toys
Kittens are often misunderstood as aloof animals that value their alone time. While kittens enjoy solo play, they also appreciate playtime with their humans as much as puppies do! If you’re a cat parent, you won’t need to worry about bumping into furniture; one of the benefits of having a feline companion is that you don’t need much space for playtime. Stimulating toys encourage exercise, bonding, and mental stimulation.
A tried and true kitten favorite is Ethical Pet's Colorful Springs. These colorful and long-lasting springs appeal to your kitten’s instincts, keeping them entertained and happy for hours.
Naturally, a cat's instinct is to hunt. A hygienic and fun way to satisfy their natural hunting characteristics is with toys that look like animals. Ethical Pet's SPOT Skinneeez Forest Creatures have three critter variations - skunk, squirrel, and mouse to satisfy your house tiger.
You can offer catnip for enrichment. The catnip-induced playfulness and euphoria will be short, about 10 minutes, after they rub, roll and eat it. When selecting catnip, the quality, and freshness matter. That's why we love the Yeowww! Rainbow Catnip Cat Toy. It's stuffed full of organic and potent catnip and the outer fabric is a durable cotton twill strong enough to hold up to all the biting and gnawing, making it a long-lasting treat and toy.
Scratching Posts
Another way to prepare yourself for your new kitten is to learn about their instinctive behaviors such as scratching. To cohabitate harmoniously with your little tiger, it’s important to understand their need to scratch and provide alternatives to protect you and your furniture. According to purrfectpost.com, some of the reasons for scratching is because:
- Cats have scent glands in their paws. Scratching deposits the cat's scent onto an object and leaves a territorial message for other cats.
- Scratching helps remove the outer layer from a cat's nails: it's good grooming behavior.
- Cats scratch to stretch their claws, feet, and bodies. This releases "feel-good" hormones that help keep your cat healthy.
- Cats scratch to release stress or excitement.
When your kitten releases their talons, it’s essential to have a sturdy scratching post. Cats put a lot of energy into sharpening their claws, so be sure to select a long-lasting scratching post. The P.L.A.Y. Arty Cat Scratcher is our sturdiest scratcher and aids in deterring your cat from scratching your furniture. Sprinkle catnip on the scratcher to lure them to it.
Kitten Food & Treats
Nutrition is an important component of your kitten's life. Felines are obligate carnivores and simply put require a diet that is high in moisture and protein, low in carbohydrates and contains essential vitamins and amino acids. Unfortunately, many cat foods from recognizable commercial brands are high in carbohydrates and contain ingredients from questionable sources. At Everywhen Pets, we only offer the very best options for feline nutrition. Here are a few:
Dr. Tim’s Chase All Life Stages Dry Cat Food
Chase All Natural Cat Food is organic and contains industry-leading levels of highly digestible animal proteins and unique fiber inclusions to promote the gut microbiome. Chase supports urinary tract health and contains both probiotics and prebiotics that encourage gastrointestinal fitness. Chase is made without corn, wheat, or soy and as the name suggests, it’s made for all stages of growth - kittens, adults, and senior cats, making it convenient for multi-cat households.
Caru Soft 'n Tasty Tuna Recipe Bites For Cats
A key element of kitten care is training, and treats are a great way of rewarding positive behaviors. Caru’s Soft n’Tasty tuna treats are made with wild tuna and free from GMO ingredients. They’re baked in small batches to ensure the highest quality, which has the bonus of locking in an exceptional aroma and flavor. Your cat will love the taste, and do what it takes to get more.
Cat Boxes and Kitty Litter
Navigating your way through litter training is probably foremost on your mind. Luckily, training kittens to go in a litter box is relatively easy because of their instincts. Like humans, they may not feel comfortable getting down to business if exposed. Go ahead and get multiple boxes to place around areas in your home that offer privacy. A rule of thumb is to have 1 more litter box than cats, so 1 cat needs 2 litter boxes.
Long ago, kitty boxes were filled with ashes from fireplaces, sand, and sawdust! Today, there is a myriad of litter options. However, many contain irritants and toxic chemicals that can damage the environment and are harmful to your cat. Everywhen Pets only offers litters that are bio-degradable, sustainably sourced, and chemical-free, making them the best choice for those who prefer a natural home.
Boxiecat All Natural Scent Free Premium Clumping Clay Litter
Hard Flat Top™ clumps form instantly on the top of the litter box, rather than soaking to the bottom. The hard flat tops make it easy to scoop and keep the litter box clean throughout use. Boxiecat’s scent-free formula is truly odorless and eliminates ammonia odors without using fragrance as a masking agent. It is all-natural, hypoallergenic, and contains no chemicals or additives.
BoxiePro Scoop Spray Litter Extender
When using Boxiecat litters, we recommend using litter extending spray as well. The spray eliminates odors and reduces contaminants, so you don't have to replace the entire litter box as often, extending the life of the litter. Simply spray each time you scoop out the used litter.
Kitty Collars
It’s no question that your curious kitten will explore, and because of their small size, you’ll tend to unintentionally play hide and seek around your home. The Blueberry Pet Glam Cutie Diagonal Striped Breakaway Cat Collar with Bowtie and Bell is a fashion-forward accessory with an adorable fish charm. It includes a cute removable bowtie, sturdy webbing, and a breakaway clasp for safety.
Health and Wellness
Holistic pet care and wellness are rooted in our DNA at Everywhen Pets. All the products offered are mindfully made, taking all aspects of your pet's mind, body, and soul into consideration. It’s never too early to introduce health and wellness into your life. Optimal wellness can be achieved with preventive care, exercise, and diet, including supplements that promote a healthy gut – the beginning of your cat’s immune system. These are our favorite wellness products to keep your kitten healthy from the inside out.
Containing simple and healthful ingredients, such as Norwegian Kelp, Nutritional Yeast Culture, Flaxseed, Desiccated Liver, Fish Meal, Alfalfa, Bee Pollen, Garlic, Bone Meal, Lecithin, Lactobicillus Acidophilus, Nurpo Health Nuggets for Cats provide a nutritional boost to your cat's diet. Made with fresh, human-grade ingredients with NO sugar, preservatives, fillers, corn, wheat, grains, or by-products, it's a supplement you can feel good about giving to your cat.
We’re excited to join and support you in this new and fulfilling life with your new family member. While it may be a big responsibility, the human-animal bond brings your life a new sense of purr-pose. Our pet experts at Everywhen Pets are available to answer any questions you have and want to help you with your pet-related questions, please give us a call.
Our ‘Kitten Shoppe’ has everything you need to get your home comfortable and ready for your new baby. Browse our Kitten Collection today!