If you have owned a kitten for a while, you would know how essential daily pet products are!
Most pet owners provide their kittens with all the required products necessary, but there are certain products that a kitten cannot go by.
Make a checklist of day-to-day cat products including essential items such as Kitten food, Bed, Toys, bowls, Litter boxes, Scratcher, Carrier, and Collar.
Cat owners should spend on these items as these are essential for the kittens and come with many benefits for your kitten.
Read on to how and where to find the best kitten products.
Why is it Necessary to have Day-to-Day Kitten Products?
Kittens are lethargic silky softballs of fur and fierce hunters. They can appear aloof and self-sufficient, creeping around your house.
However, they are still babies.
Therefore, it is necessary to have day-to-day kitten products to pamper them and let them live happy and healthy.
American Pet Products Association's 2021-2022 National Pet Owners Survey shows that around 45.3 million houses own cats.
Owning a pet is not an easy job, so make sure you fulfill their daily need to keep them content.
Top 8 Checklist of Day-to-Day Kitten Products
People may have different opinions about daily kitten products, but here are a few significant products that you should care to buy for your kitten.
Care to read on to figure out the Top 8 checklist of day-to-day kitten products.
1. Nutritional Kitten Food
Most pet owners tend to feed their pets out of their plates. They provide anything they may find, but it can be fatal to the animal.
Unlike humans, kittens cannot survive on a vegetarian diet. Kittens are obligate carnivores, and they require a meat-based meal regularly.
Most importantly, you must provide daily nutrients to your kittens to ensure they have sound health and long life.
Vitamins, proteins, fats, water, minerals, and other nutrients are required for your kitten's health.
Some of the essential nutrition for your kittens:
- Vitamins are very important as it aids in illness prevention. Vitamins can be found in many foods, and are also available as supplements.
- Protein is a storehouse of vital amino acids that Kittens require to make antibodies, enzymes, hormones, tissues, and maintain optimum pH balance. It also gives energy.
- Likewise, protein-rich meals like meat, fish, eggs, and poultry aid in their growth and development.
- They require 35-50% protein on a dry matter basis with at least 9% dry matter from an animal source.
- Saturated fat is required for kitten longevity. The fats for kittens should be between 18-35% on a dry matter basis.
- Calcium, chloride, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium, sulfur, and zinc are all necessary minerals for kittens.
- Kitten food should contain 0.8-1.6% calcium on a dry matter basis.
- Maintaining pH equilibrium in kittens requires adequate hydration. Kittens get the majority of their water by consuming fresh raw food.
If they are served packaged meals, dry foods, or treats, they may require more water. Throughout the day, you should provide clean water.
2. Kitten Bed
Each kitten has a distinct personality. Some are nervous, while others are fearless.
Whatever their traits, leaving their mother and siblings for the first time can be a terrible experience for them.
For a young kitten, moving into a new home is terrifying. Make your kitten feel safe in his new home by providing a comfy kitten bed.
A soft and cozy kitten bed will ensure that your kitten has a pleasant night's sleep.
The bedding will serve as a familiar object when everything else is unfamiliar because the first twenty-four hours should be a peaceful period of adjustment for a newborn kitten.
What factors should be considered before taking a bed for a kitten?
Providing your kittens with a comfortable spot to nap that they will like is not always simple.
And it is unfortunate to select what you believe to be the ideal bed only to discover that your kitten dislikes it.
Here are a few tips to consider before taking a bed for your little kitties:
- Ensure that your kitten's bed has low entry and does not require jumping to get into it. It helps with mobility issues.
- Observe their habits and choose a bed according to them.
- Decide precisely where you will place it and take measurements accordingly.
- Choose a color and style that you like, which goes with the other decor.
Also, there are a few things to consider like proper size, style, safe and high-quality materials, cleaning convenience, and comfort.
Pet gate, Kitty city, and furhaven are some of the bed brands you can buy for your kitten.
3. Toys
As kittens are playful from the start, it is essential to provide them with the appropriate toys from the moment you bring them home.
Whether scratching, cuddling, or playing, it is vital to provide an outlet for your kitten's natural behaviors.
As a bonus, having suitable toys around can help prevent destructive behaviors like scratching the couch.
Either climbing, pouncing, or running, your kitten's play is not only entertaining to watch. It is also a critical stage of growth.
They develop hunting, social, and movement skills while playing.
Choose safe toys that can't be splintered, torn apart, or swallowed. Kittens are attracted to high-contrast color combinations like black and white design toys.
Fish toys, cloth or hard rubber mouse, toys with the wand attached to the dangly element, Celluloid ball that rattles, and puzzle feeders are toys that kittens love to play with.
4. Food and Water Bowl
Initially, look for little bowls to make eating easy and comfortable for your tiny kitty. As your kitten grows, you can replace kitten-sized bowls with adult-sized bowls. Keep your kitten's food, and water bowls separate, as cats typically refuse to drink water that is kept close to their food source.
Choose bowls that will not easily tip over because your kitty has a lot of energy.
To keep things fresh, wash the food and water bowls every day. A kitten requires a constant supply of clean fresh water.
The finest materials for kitten food and water dishes are stainless steel and ceramic with a lead-free finish.
Plastic dishes are inexpensive, but because of an allergic reaction to the material, they can cause feline chin acne.
It will be best if you clean your kitten's bowls daily.
Foldable feeding and water bowl, Stress-Free Pet Feeder, and Waterer, are the best-selling kitten food and water bowl you can find on Amazon.
Check the infographic below for more information.
5. Litter Boxes
All kittens require a litter box to take their potty breaks in your home.
Your kitten should be able to enter and exit the litter box quickly. It should be put somewhere that is not too noisy or inconvenient.
You may need to try different types of litter to see which one your kitten prefers.
Ensure the box is large enough to prevent litter from spreading throughout the house.
Your kitten will avoid using a filthy, smelly litter box if it is not clean. Once a week, wash the pan with soap and water.
Strong disinfectants should be avoided because they are unnecessary and may irritate your kitten's sensitive nose.
When it is time to clean the litter box, a litter scoop will come in handy. Each kitten should have one litter box and one additional packet.
According to your choice's size and design, you can buy a litter box for your kittens on Amazon.
6.Scratchers
Scratching is an instinct for kittens. It is a natural stress-relieving habit that helps them file claws and mark their zone.
To help your kitten learn early, get a scratching post. The scratching post should be solid and tall enough for the kitten to stretch out completely.
Place scratching posts and toys throughout your home if you don't want your kitten scratching your furniture or drapes. Reward your cat with attention and treats when they use them.
According to popular perception, cats do not utilize scratching posts to sharpen their claws. They use it to exercise, wipe dead scales from their nails, and visually and odorous mark their territory.
When they get home, teach them to scratch on the scratching post.
There are many benefits of scratchers to your kittens.
- Scratchers help the claws of kittens be healthy.
- It will help them stretch out.
- Scratchers are a way of exercise for a kitten.
- It works as a stress reliever.
- It helps in marking the territory for your kittens.
- It will make your furniture and other materials safe.
Playing with them near or around the post will encourage them to use it. They will immediately grasp the concept.
Place your kitten's bed and scratching post close together, so they learn to utilize them when they wake up and need a stretch.
Your kitten will love the scratching post like SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post, climbing jute scratching, PAWZ Road Cat Scratching Post Cactus, etc.
7. Carrier
Whether or not you plan to travel with your kitties, you will need a safe carrier to get them to veterinary visits in case of an emergency.
Introduce the carrier to your kitten gradually and use rewards and positive reinforcement to help them investigate it.
Travel carriers help to take your kitten to the veterinarian, play dates, and, if necessary, the groomer.
You will need a sturdy carrier that offers your kitten enough room to turn around but not so much that they will be tempted to soil it.
There are various options, such as rigid plastic carriers, smooth carriers, and even backpacks with a viewing area.
8.Collar
If your kitten will be kept indoors, this is less of an issue, but a collar with a bell is required if they will be going outside.
Kitten collars with bells or rings are an excellent way to keep an eye, or rather an ear, on your kitten as they explore their new surroundings.
You should ensure that any collar you purchase has a safety breakaway snap.
When kittens play, they jump and climb, and you do not want their collar to break if they get hooked on something.
Check the collar's tightness daily as well. Kittens grow quickly, and you do not want their collar to get too tight and cut into their skin.
Free adjustable collar, and collar with leash, are the best-selling kitten collar.
You can adjust the supplies to match their individual needs and preferences as you get to know your new family member better.
Things to Know Before Bringing the Kittens Home
You will be eager to meet your new kitten if you have decided to expand and add them to your family.
- First and foremost, they must be prepared to make a move to their new house as smooth as possible.
- When kittens are first brought to their new home, they may experience anxiety. If your kitten appears to be agitated, speak with your veterinarian about pheromone diffusers or other calming products that can help them relax.
- Similarly, examine your options with your physician on suggested vaccinations for your kittens. Your veterinarian will create a vaccination plan for your new kitten that is appropriate for where you live and your cat's lifestyle.
- Consider getting pet insurance for your new kitten to help with unexpected medical costs. There are several plans to choose from depending on your demands and budget.
Moreover, indoor kittens are also prone to parasites like fleas and ticks. Fleas can get into a house through other pets, such as dogs.
Ticks can also be carried in humans' clothes. Get your kitten on flea preventative prevention to protect them from parasitic infections.
Conclusion
It is thrilling to welcome a new kitten into your home and having all of the necessary materials and support can make the transition go more smoothly.
Everything is enjoyable. Giving your kitten the necessities and luxuries will provide them the best start in life.
After reading through our list of kitten products, you should be well prepared to welcome your new kitten into your home.
Spending time and effort to prepare everything ahead of time will give you a sense of control and provide a stress-free experience for you and your new kitty.