|
| |
|
|
KITTEN CHECKLIST
SUPER PREMIUM FOOD
At PetO, we want the best for your kittens. We stock a full range of premium pet foods including Science Diet, Eukanuba, Iams, Royal Canin, Nutrience, Advance and Natural Balance. We offer a 100% money back guarantee on these foods if you are not entirely satisfied. Please come in and chat to our friendly staff about the best food for your kitten and the benefits of feeding a premium quality food.
COLLARS / HARNESS/LEADS/ ID
As soon as you get your kitten home you will need to get your kitten used to wearing a collar, their first reaction will be to try and scratch it off but persist and try to distract your kitten with yummy treats; make sure you attach some form of ID to the collar so if your kitten happens to escape, it will make its way back to you faster.
For indoor cats you may want to invest in a harness and lead for outside visits. They come in a variety of colours and sizes and our tip is to let your kitten wear a harness for an hour a day while it is little so it will get used to wearing it and not be a stressful experience when the cat is a few months old. Attach a lightweight cat lead from an early age and walking your cat will be a breeze.
FEEDING EQUIPMENT
A ceramic bowl is a great choice for water and a non-skid stainless steel bowl is suitable for food. A huge variety of bowls are available from PetO: plastic, stainless steel, ceramic and stoneware and come in anything from plain colours to funky designs. You may also want to add a placemat to your list - kittens are known for dragging their food from their bowls and all over the floors and themselves.
DENTAL CARE
Get your kitten used to having its teeth brushed from a young age. You can use finger brushes with flavoured pet tooth paste and we also carry the Triple Pet range of dental equipment, please speak to our staff about brushing tips.
FLEA, TICK & WORM CONTROL
We recommend that you make an appointment with your vet as soon as you get your kitten home and your vet will be able to guide you in the right direction for flea control, heart worming and intestinal worming. At PetO we want your pet to be healthy so we stock a full range of preventatives including Frontline, Revolution, Advantage, Advocate and Drontal. These are available over the counter.
CAT TOYS
Kittens love to play, especially at about 3am when you are not the least bit interested! There is a huge range of cat toys but some of the very favourite ones are any type of fur mouse they can scoot all over the house; kitten mittens are great for naughty kittens with sharp teeth and catnip based toys go down a treat. We love the Shake and Squeak, at a low price, this is a furry mouse on a piece of elastic attached to a wand which will keep your kitten amused for hours. Any of the tunnels are a safe purchase - kittens love to hide inside these and you’ll love watching their crazy antics.
TREATS
Let’s face it, no one wants to eat the same thing all the time and why should your kitten be any different? Our recommendations are the Ziwi Peak cat rewards with natural ingredients - they are sure to be one of your kitty’s favourites. Greenies cat treats are highly palatable and not only great for their teeth but will leave them begging for more.
GROOMING EQUIPMENT
Kittens grow up to be cats with very sharp claws so this is a good reason why you should want to get your cat used to grooming from an early age. Gently massage their ears, tails, tummies and paws, as getting your kitten used to being handled will make vet visits a breeze later on in life.
Essential equipment required, is a soft bristle brush to gently polish the coat and get kitty used to the idea of being brushed. Try to make this a positive experience and yummy treats go along way. You may want a slicker brush for longer haired kittens, but don’t use very much force on this brush as it can scratch the skin.
You will need a pair a nail clippers, please come and see our staff for tips on nail clipping and once again, start from a young age to get them used to the idea .
For those wanting to bath their kittens, shampoos are available. Make sure you use one specifically made for kittens as others may irritate their delicate skin. Kitty wipes are also available from PetO, perfect if a bath is out of the question.
WARM SECURE BED
Provide your kitten with its own bed from day one. Place the bed up off the ground as it is natural for cats and kittens to sleep higher off the ground as an innate defense mechanism. Naturally your kitten may decide that their bed is your furniture but get them settled into their own from a young age and the habit may follow through into adulthood .Make sure your kitten’s bed is easy to keep clean. Our pick are any of the Snooza Cat Igloos, somewhere for your kitten to feel warm and safe. Snuggle Kitties with a heating pad and mechanical heart beat are useful for very young or abandoned kittens.
LITTER BOX AND LITTER BOX ACCESSORIES
When a kitten first comes home they should be kept inside for the first few weeks to let them adjust to this transition in their life. Also for health reasons, this will allow your kitten to have had all their vaccinations before venturing outdoors.
Whether your cat is going to be an inside or outside cat, you will need a litter tray or litter box. If you have a smaller house, a hooded tray will go a long way to helping contain odours, most coming with a charcoal insert. There is a huge range available - even corner litter trays. Our recommendation is the Cat It Hooded Cat pan with clear door and charcoal inserts. Or, if you are just after a basic tray, our pick is the Cat It Cat pan with shield as this will stop them from kicking litter all over your floor. They are available in a variety of colours and in small or large sizes.
Your tray should be cleaned on a regular basis, but to scoop out any solid waste we recommend a litter tray shovel .
CAT LITTERS AND STAIN REMOVERS
With the many types of litters available, it is hard to know where to start, so let us make it easy for you. Breeders Choice is one of the most trusted cat litters made from recycled newspaper – it is good for the environment and easy on your kitten’s paws. As your cat gets older, you might want to consider a silica based litter as they are the ultimate in odour control. Speak to our staff for tips on how to get your kitten using his litter tray.
An essential item for an new kitten owner is some type of odour and stain remover and our recommendation is Urine Off - this product removes any trace of ammonia at a reasonable price and you can also purchase a nifty black light to find all the spots your kitten may have had accidents.
CAT SCRATCHERS
Attention indoor cat owners! A cat scratching pole or tree will help save your furniture. Kittens and cats have scent glands in their paws and will often scratch to mark their territory. So, if they live inside this means your furniture - start your kitten on a tall scratching pole from a young age and use material safe repellents on your furniture and carpets. Come in and see our range.
TRAVELLING EQUIPMENT
A cat carrier will be an essential purchase useful for those trips to the veterinarian. Try and buy a carrier that will be suitable for a cat as an adult. Our recommendation is the great value Voyageur carrier or if you are after something a little more heavy duty or for plane travel, have a look at the small Vari kennel. Try to buy a carrier that is enclosed as open carriers may disorient your cat while travelling.
BOOKS
When you first get your kitten, everyone who owns a pet will have a tip for you so try to be prepared by reading up before picking up your new kitten. There are several breed specific books available for you to purchase - the KISS guide to cats is also a great read.
FINALLY LOTS OF LOVE AND PATIENCE , HAVE FUN ! |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
