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Health Checklist
New Kitten Checklist and Things to Consider
Kittens and cats are a lot of work. They also come with a large shopping list. Below is a checklist of some of the necessary items that you’ll need for your new friend.
Shopping List
- Food (canned and/or dry)
- Food and water bowls
- Treats
- Collar
- ID tag with the pet’s name, your phone number and/or address (optional)
- Carrier for traveling purposes
- Cat bed
- Litter box
- Pooper scooper
- Litter
- Flea and tick products
- Toys
- Scratching post
- At home grooming supplies (Optional)
- Nail clippers
- Brush/comb
Some of these items, like the collar and ID tag, you may need to wait until you actually adopt your pet. Be sure to find out what food they are currently on at the shelter, if you do adopt from there, so that you can slowly start to transfer them to their new food by mixing the two. This will help with nausea and stomach indigestion.
Things to Consider
There are other things to consider when you adopt a pet. Costs such as vet bills, time needed to care for them and even your vacation plans. We recommend making a list similar to the one below and go over them. This will help you decide if you’re really ready for a pet.
- Do you have other pets? If so, how will they react to the new one you’re about to bring into the house?
- Is your home suitable for the pet you’re considering?
- How will having your cat affect your work/social life?
- What are your plans for when you leave town? Who’s going to care for them?
- If you live with others, how do they feel about having a cat in the house?
- Do the ones you live with have any allergies to cats?
- Is there going to be one person that is going to be responsible for the cat or are you all going to care for them?
- If you have small children, how safe do you feel having a cat around them?
- How do you plan on paying the vet bills? Will the cost of shots, spaying/neutering and other surgeries and health issues fit into your budget?
Vet costs can be more then you think. You first have to include getting them updated on all their vaccinations (read the recommended vaccinations link for more information). If they’re not spayed or neutered, it’s recommended to get them fixed to help prevent future illnesses. Some animals even require medications due to sicknesses such as thyroid issues, urinary tract infections and ear infections. Sometimes these medications are lifelong.
Cats even need dental care like us. They too get plaque and tartar build-up and need to undergo a dental procedure like we do to make their teeth shiny and new again. Without proper care, plaque and tartar build-up can cause infections like gingivitis and even heart issues. Their mouth is just as sensitive as ours. If we’re worried about our teeth, why wouldn’t we worry about theirs?
Some cats require grooming. Long haired cats need it more than short haired cats due to matting, but both need it. Some owners feel capable of doing it at home but others do not. If you’re one of the owner’s that doesn’t, grooming is yet another cost to add onto your pet’s needs. For more information about grooming and the grooming services we offer, please visit our grooming tab or give us a call.
Fleas and ticks are yet another thing you have to look out for. Ticks are more of a summer issue, but fleas can hop around all year long. Flea and tick products are offered to protect these pesky things from our new friends. It’s better to have them on a year round treatment to prevent your loved ones from getting them. Click on the parasites tab under the dog section or give us a call for more information.
Don’t put off your pet’s checkup.
Check one more thing off your to do list and schedule your pet’s vaccination, checkup, and more right now.