Finally the time has come. You will get a new kitten! When you bring such a small fluff ball into your home for the first time, you may be wondering what you need. Which food is best for growth, how many litter boxes do you need and which toys are suitable for a kitten?

In this article, you'll find an overview of everything you need to do before your kitten comes to live with you

Basic necessities for your kitten

Your new kitten will need food, water, and a place to relieve herself. This is a useful starting point when you start collecting the set for your kitten. Because these are the basic necessities of life, it is important to choose quality. You should enjoy it for years to come. Put these items on your shopping list: Food: choose special kitten kibble from a good brand. If necessary, ask the breeder which food your kitten is feeding. You can then continue to feed this for a while, until you slowly switch to the brand of your preference. At Fokker you will find special sample packs that allow you to get acquainted with our kitten food.

Food bowl: In principle, one food bowl is enough for a kitten, but it is more practical to have two. This way you can wash them in turn. Choose a food bowl made of metal or ceramic. Plastic eventually takes on a smell, and your kitten doesn't like that. Make sure the food bowl is low and wide so that your kitten's whiskers don't touch the edge.
Drinking bowl: the drinking bowl must meet the same requirements as the food bowl. It is best to place containers of water in different places in the house. Do not place the water bowl next to the food bowl, because then chances are your kitten will refuse to drink from it.
Litter box: you need at least one litter box per kitten. An open or covered one can do both, but in the latter case remove the valve from the container. This way your kitten does not have to search for her litter box and she can quietly learn where to go to the bathroom.
Cat litter: for young kittens it is better not to take lump-forming cat litter. Only switch to this if you are sure that your kitten is not eating the litter. The choice of stones, silicate or wood pellets is personal. Never buy litter with an added fragrance, as this will scare your kitten.

Now that you have your kitten's basic necessities on your (virtual) grocery list, you can start collecting the rest of the pack. Put the following items on your checklist:

Scratching post: if you prefer to keep your furniture intact, it is smart to purchase a scratching post or board. There are several options for this. From a round barrel with sleeping places to a climbing tree where your cat can enjoy themselves.
Sleeping place: a soft plush basket, a hammock on the heater or a cardboard box with a towel. Your kitten will sleep everywhere. If you are looking for a place to sleep for your kitten, especially look at your budget, because it is easy to save on this.
Toys: Play is essential for a cat, and even more so for a young kitten. Let your kitten use her energy with a feather rod, toy mouse or rattling ball. Good to know is that most kittens are also very happy with a wad of paper or acorns from the forest. As long as it moves!
Travel basket: useful if you are going to pick up your kitten, but also if she has to go to the vet. A good travel basket is spacious enough, closes well and has a few peek holes. Few cats like to go into the carrier, but of course you want to make it as pleasant as possible.
Other: Finally, there are various items that your kitten will not need immediately, but that will be useful in the future. Think of a collar (with address tag), deworming and de-fluxing agent, a fur brush, cat flap, nail clippers, cat grass and treats.

A new kitten does not only require new things, but also a home where she can live comfortably. Before your kitten arrives at your home, check the following points:

Safety: a kitten in the first months is like a toddler who tries everything.
Keep your windows and doors closed to prevent escape, tidy up small items and make sure your kitten cannot fall or get trapped behind anything. Tuck away loose cords, raise curtains and cover your couch if it is dear to you.
Rest: Leaving the nest and ending up in a new place is tough for your kitten. Therefore, offer her a lot of rest - especially during the first few days. If you live large, you can keep certain doors closed so your kitten doesn't get lost. Also, don't let your kids play with the kitten just yet. There will be plenty of time for that later.
Education: Raising your kitten is perhaps the hardest part as a new kitten parent. Still, it is important to start with this from day one. Rewards work best in cats. Teaching good behavior is a lot easier than unlearning bad behavior. Therefore, try to provoke positive behavior and reward it when your kitten does something nice. It is best to ignore bad behavior as much as possible.
Cleanliness: Cats instinctively start looking for a place where they can dig a hole to relieve themselves from as early as 4 weeks. You do not have to train your kitten for toilet training. It is smart to put the litter box close by. Kittens often think late that they have to go to the box, and if they still have to walk far, it can even be too late.

Complete kittenchecklist

There is a lot that comes your way when you get a kitten. Nevertheless, we would like to inform you that this is a wonderful time. Your kitten is very playful, very cute and busy discovering everything. To give your kitten a good start, Fokker has the special kitten food Opti-Grow. These small chunks ensure optimal growth and support the immune system. This way your kitten will grow up healthy.