Essential Guide for First-Time Cat Owners: Caring for Your New Kitten

This article aims to help prospective cat owners understand how to care for a kitten while acquiring one. It will cover the essential knowledge new cat owners should possess, the items they need to prepare, and the mental preparation required. If you’re also a new cat owner, I hope this article will be helpful to you.

Table of Contents

• Preface: What are the drawbacks of having a kitten?
  1. Essential items for new cat owners.
  2. What preparations do I need to make before the cat arrives?

Preface: What are the drawbacks of having a kitten? The reason this section is placed first is that mental preparation before getting a cat is crucial. Many people, even if they prepare all the necessary items, still fail to take good care of a cat. If we place this module at the end, many may not wait to finish reading and feel ready. We love cats because they are fluffy and adorable, but we must recognize that getting a pet is like choosing a family member. Abandoning a cat can cause lifelong harm. Once you’ve chosen a kitten, you must take full responsibility.

So, what drawbacks does such a cute kitten have?

1. Meowing: You might say you enjoy hearing a cat meow, but this meowing can mean that after bringing the cat home, it may meow loudly at 2 AM or 5 AM, especially during mating season when it can meow from morning till night.
2. Breaking everything breakable: Cats are naturally inclined to be active, so they may go wild in your house, running from room to room, possibly knocking over tables, chairs, cups, or even plants.
3. Scratching furniture: Whether you have leather sofas, fabric curtains, or wooden chairs, they all make great scratching posts for cats. Even if you provide plenty of scratching boards, they may still prefer your furniture.
4. Inappropriate urination: Cats are generally clean animals and most will use a litter box, but some may not, especially during mating season, ignoring where they are and marking their territory.
5. Litter box cleaning: Cats also have to relieve themselves! As litter box attendants, we have to clean the litter box at least once a day. When you come face-to-face with the mess, hope you can handle it!
6. Curiosity: Cats are curious creatures, which can lead to chaos. They might be interested in your trash can, charging cables, or jumping out the window, causing trouble that you can’t scold them for.
7. Cat hair and claws: During shedding season, hair will be everywhere, and when playing, they might accidentally scratch you without feeling guilty.

If you can’t accept these drawbacks, you might be better off enjoying cats from a distance. However, if you can handle these quirks without resorting to punishment or harsh training methods, congratulations—you’re already a qualified litter box attendant. Let’s start preparing for your new cat!

Essential Items for New Cat Owners

Must-Haves: Cat food, cat bowls, cat litter, litter box;
Secondary Essentials: Scratching post, nail clippers, carrier, cat wand;
Medications: Internal and external parasite treatments, ear drops;
Optional Extras: Nutritional paste, hairball paste…

1. Must-Haves

(1) Cat Food: Cats thrive on high-quality food. It’s crucial to choose cat food carefully, as it significantly affects a cat’s lifespan. When selecting cat food, aim to buy the best within your budget. You can allocate some of your budget for nutritional paste, hairball paste, or a small portion of wet food towards high-quality cat food. The price of cat food often correlates with its nutritional content. Homemade cat food, bulk cat food, and lesser-known brands typically lack essential nutrients and may contain ingredients that cats cannot absorb, which could shorten their lifespan.

Reputable cat food brands are not overly expensive; feeding a cat generally won’t exceed 300 yuan per month based on their eating habits. Learn to read the ingredient list; prioritize food with high meat content, grain-free options, and balanced nutritional profiles without artificial additives. Good brands include Orijen, Go!, and Acana; mid-range options are Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet, and Nutro; other brands include Tiki Cat and Meow Mix.

You can also feed cats with wet food or homemade meals, but these can be costly and complex for beginners, so they are not recommended here.

Since cat food is a vast topic and very important, I will write a dedicated article on selecting cat food later.

(2) Cat Bowls: It’s advisable to separate water and food bowls for easier cleaning. Avoid purchasing integrated bowls—cleaning frequencies for food and water bowls differ.

Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are recommended; plastic bowls should be avoided as they are prone to harboring bacteria and are hard to clean. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls may cost a little more but are durable and hygienic.

Food and water bowls should be washed daily. If you find it too cumbersome, you might consider an automatic water dispenser, which requires monthly deep cleaning and filter replacements. Be sure to choose one that is safe and does not leak.

(3) Cat Litter: Even princess cats need to use the bathroom. The two most common types of cat litter are clumping clay and tofu litter, each with its pros and cons. Clumping clay is more suited to a cat’s habits and is inexpensive, but cannot be flushed down the toilet. Tofu litter is more economical and flushable, but slightly more expensive. It’s best to choose unscented litter, as strong scents can irritate cats, and if they dislike the scent, they may avoid using the litter box.

(4) Litter Box: This is the cat’s bathroom. Litter boxes come in open and closed designs. Open litter boxes are cheaper and allow easy access for cats but may lead to litter being scattered and odors spreading. Closed litter boxes contain odors better and prevent litter spillage but tend to be more expensive.

2. Secondary Essentials

(1) Cat Tree: Cats love to climb. It’s no surprise that you’ll find them perched on high places like air conditioning units, door tops, and the highest cabinets in your home. If you have tall furniture, a cat tree may not be necessary. A cat tree provides a comfortable high vantage point for your cat to observe its surroundings.

(2) Cat Bed: While not essential, a cat bed can be beneficial. Cats often prefer cardboard boxes to cat beds. If you don’t want your cat on your bed, a cat bed is a good option to prevent them from sleeping on cold floors. However, if your cat likes to sleep with you, the bed may become more of a decoration, as they might prefer sunny spots on the couch or chair.

(3) Scratching Post: If you want to protect your furniture, a scratching post is essential. There are many types available—flat, cat house style, climbing trees, and sisal mats. When selecting a scratching post, ensure it’s tall enough for your cat to stretch out fully while scratching.

(4) Carrier: Useful for outings. When taking your cat to the vet, carrying them or using a random bag may frighten them, making a carrier necessary. Space capsule-style carriers are convenient but may lack ventilation and space. For medium to larger cats, it’s better to use a larger carrier that provides safety and comfort during transport.

(5) Nail Clippers: Both humans and cats need nail trimming. Cats’ nails grow quickly, and to avoid being scratched during play or when they step on you, regular trimming is necessary. New cat owners should use cat-specific nail clippers, as human ones may cause the nails to split. Cat nail clippers come in straight and curved styles; curved ones are recommended for beginners, ensuring you avoid the quick.

(6) Cat Wand: Buy the cheapest one available. Cat wands are consumables, so there’s no need to invest in expensive electronic toys. New toys only capture a cat’s interest for a few days, but wands and laser pointers provide lasting entertainment. Cats enjoy feathers and pom-poms, so consider those options when selecting a wand.

3. Medications

Medications are not household essentials since veterinary clinics can handle deworming, albeit at a high cost. Thus, I’ll provide an overview of medications that you can use at home for convenience and savings.

• (1) Internal Deworming: The most common is Bayer’s dewormer, costing about 20 yuan per pill, administered every three months.
• (2) External Deworming: Brands like Frontline and Stronghold, costing around 100 yuan for three doses, given monthly.
• (3) Ear Drops: The German product “Wick” is recommended, priced at around 85 yuan for 60ml.

4. Optional Extras

The market for cat health products often features items that cats don’t really need, with about 80% being unnecessary.

• (1) Hairball Paste: Cats used to eat hair-covered mice in the wild, so it’s odd that they struggle with hair now. Healthy cats usually manage small amounts of hair on their own, especially short-haired ones. For long-haired cats, you can offer boiled egg yolks or cat grass, which are great for aiding hairball passage. Wouldn’t it be better to buy a couple more cans of food instead of hairball paste?
• (2) Nutritional Paste: These are widely regarded as a waste of money. If you feed your cat properly, their diet (food or wet food) should already provide balanced nutrition. The nutritional content in a 150g tube of paste is nearly negligible; if you have some, it can be used as a treat, but promise me you won’t buy more after that.
• (3) Lecithin: Marketed for a shiny coat, most pet lecithin is made from soy, which is cheap and poorly absorbed by cats, who are strict carnivores. Egg yolks also contain lecithin and are more beneficial than soy lecithin. Instead of wasting money, give your cat a couple of egg yolks each week.

Other products like “anti-heat powder” and “fattening powder” are not suitable for cats; any methods that defy biological knowledge can be harmful. Cat health products, like those for humans, should not be necessary if the cat is generally healthy. If you have money to spare, invest in some chicken, duck, beef, or shrimp instead.

Preparing Before Bringing a Cat Home

• (1) Secure Windows: Cats are naturally curious and love to climb. Cases of cats falling from heights or getting into trouble through open windows are common, so securing windows is essential.
• (2) Space Environment: A newly adopted cat will need time to adjust, and this varies from cat to cat. Some might acclimate in two hours, while others may take a week. It’s best to avoid forcing them out of the carrier; let them come out on their own. Start by placing them in a smaller, quieter space to help with adjustment.
• (3) Disinfection: Avoid using harsh disinfectants like 84 or Dettol, as they can harm cats if ingested, leading to issues like hair loss or even death. Use pet-safe disinfectants like DuPont’s.
• (4) Vaccinations: Cats can be vaccinated at three months old. The most common vaccines are the FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia) and rabies vaccine. This is also a good time to check for ear mites or other illnesses.
• (5) Ear Cleaning: Even without ear mites, cats’ ears secrete oils that need regular cleaning. When cleaning, do not use cotton swabs, as a cat’s ear structure is complex. Instead, use clean tissue after washing.

Now you have the basic knowledge for cat care. You can continue learning more about cat ownership as you go. Get ready to joyfully welcome your new kitten!