someone in work has had a litter of three kittens and one has been left behind after being offered out so I might be taking it off her hands.

I was just after some advice about kittens as I've never had one, she thinks its male and its about 7/8 weeks old. If things go to plan I'll be getting the stuff tomorrow an someone whos nabbed the other two said they could drop the kitten off for me.

just curious whats best to do? do I have to get special milk since its still so young? what food is best?

I am lookin to get the essentials litter tray bed scratchin post and a carrier box just wonderin if there is anythin else I need to do?

Have a read through this thread

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=877850

But her are some easy answers

An enclosed litter tray (about £10 from Argos) is probably best as it give cat privacy and means there is no smell.

Some kind of bed, a scratching post and toys are all essential too....

I feed my Kitten (who is now 6 months bless her) Science Plan and she is thriving. Its recommended by Vet's and although its pricey it gives her all the nutrients she needs. I will keep her on that for another 6 months. I've never given her milk - she drinks water only! Pasturised milk is bad for cats and they don't seem to do kitten milk is the supermarket? Water is fine, make sure you leave a bowl with the food and a bowl somewhere else.

Find out if kitten is fully litter trained??? If they are then you may be best to see what litter the owner was using and keep to that brand to make the transition easier. If they are not then kitty will get there in the end but be patient in the meantime!!

You may need a cat carrier too as kitten will be due first injections soon (they have the first of a combined jab at aprox 9 weeks and the 2nd 2-3 weeks later - this cost me £68). Depending on gender they also need to spayed / neutered aged aprox 6 months but your vet will advise!! Vet's will also advise you about defleaing and deworming - check to see if kitty has already had any treatments etc so you can stick to same brand!!

As I say have look through the otehr thread but if there are any specific questions feel free to ask!!

Oh and do enjoy - getting my little one is the best thing I ever did. My BF and I adore her and wouldn't be without her!

Feel free to post some piccies when you get your new arrival.......

the kitten has yet to see a vet I think in regards to jabs anyways.

gonna have a good old read through stuff later when I'm home and have more time

but I think I had an idea about stuff like scratchin post an toys to stop it clawing stuff I don't wanna come home one day an find its run havock haha

I will be askin the owner questions once I know everythin will be happenin, I think I would stick to whiskas for food as its the cheaper option now we're in the midst of a credit crunch

oh yeh I completely forgot I also have two dogs whats the best way to introduce them? one is a small long haired chihauhau the other a papillion who can be a bit on the errr excitable side lol

No, don't feel free.

We order you to!!!


btw, if you can't find cat milk at the supermarket, you can use Lactofree milk instead. It works out cheaper too.

A few words of advice re: food - pls check what it currently eats and don't suddenly introduce it to something new otherwise you'll upset its tummy!!

If kitten has just been weaned it would have ideally been fed something like Science Plan (and no I don't work for them ) as it good for developing everything from a healthy immune system to glossy furr!! Iams does dry kitten food too which is probably a lot more cost effective......

Just beware before making the transition from one type of food to another!!

No offence but the kitten is going to cost you a fair bit initially so if its not viable then don't agree to it!! Vets bills could be a few hundred pounds, plus you need to get all of your bits for kitty and make sure you have enough litter and food on a weekly basis!!!

I'm not too sure about introducing a kitten to dogs but the first few days can be very traumatic for them so please keep the dogs away and let kitten get used to the surroundings first........ Then maybe let them sniff each other out for a small period of time!

The next week or so should all be about the new kitten, he/she needs to feel safe and welcome!!

thanks for all the advice don't worry I like takin pics of my own dog so I will deffo have pics by the weekends out if I get it lol

Even if the kitten isn't litter trained it should only take a few days/a week to get them trained. That's how long it took my first kitten (now cat) anyway, just prepare yourself for a few accidents. I had both my cats from when they were kittens and they can be stressful but it's so nice having one and they can really make you laugh with what they get up to though I'd make sure you hide any earphones you have, when my cat Charlie was a kitten he destroyed about 3 pairs.

whats the best way to train it to use the litter tray?

Everytime that I saw that they were going to do something I put them straight on the litter tray they soon got the message. They'd start stratching at something, normally it was newspaper but sometimes it was on the cushions and we had a few accidents & you can kind of tell anyway but it only took a few days to get my first cat/kitten trained. Also keep it away from their eating area and if you can have a couple of them about the house, I have one downstairs and one up and sometimes they'd go upstairs to use that one and also for at night if it's gonna sleep upstairs cos I have mine sleep in my room at night