Advice on Initial Stocking of Supplies for Kitten?

Hello. I have just adopted a very cute 10-week-old little kitten. I'll
be a good guy with him -- my sister is raising two cats, and my parents
are raising another two, so I'm fairly familiar with cats. Plus, we
raised a cocker spaniel. Plus, basically, I want to do right by this
little guy.

The shelter named him Charlie, and I may keep that. He's being neutered
over the weekend (or, as the parlance seems to be now, 'altered'), so I
pick him up Monday afternoon. I'm going shopping this weekend for
supplies.

Financially, I should be able to handle things, but I can't immediately
buy every single luxury a cat should have. I wanted to run my shopping
list by people. Prices are based on what's listed on Petsmart.Com.

The initial supplies I'm picking up a

Dry kitten food -- roughly $8-15
Wet kitten formula -- roughly $7
"Nature's Miracle" mess clean-up stuff -- $6
Bag of mice -- $4
-- (although I'm sure he'll nap for much of the day while I'm gone, I
want him to have something to play with in my absence)
Litterbox -- $10-30
Litterbox liners -- $2.50
Litter -- $7-9
Bed -- $20-25
Separate water and food dishes -- $6 to 12

From my next paycheck (this next Friday, the 14th), I'm going to get a
plastic carrier for about $20-25 so I can take him home to the folks
with me for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also, see below for a vet
charge ...

From the 11/30, 12/15, or 12/31 checks, I'll be getting a brush, kitty
nail clippers, and a laser pointer.

Medically, the shelter has taken care of his initial Felocell
inoculation, will give him a free rabies vaccination on 12/7 (he's too
young for it at the moment), gave him deworming on 11/2 (as a
precuationary), and was cleared for feline leukemia on 11/3. He
evidently had fleas but was dosed with Revolution and was cleared by
their vet as flea-free.

Sometime between November 22 and 26, I'll be paying $82.49 to a local
vet: office charge, Felocell CVR booster shot, and fecal sample.

Anything you see missing? And, would you classify the missing thing as
an:

* urgent -- needed before your cat arrives Monday
* can wait a week or two
* semi-luxury item -- get it over the next four or five weeks

Mike

Sounds good.
There are differing thoughts on lazer light.
Lots of people use them, but my opthamologist said not a good idea.

Just a thought,

Sylvia

"Mike Harris" wrote in message
...
Hello. I have just adopted a very cute 10-week-old little kitten. I'll
be a good guy with him -- my sister is raising two cats, and my parents
are raising another two, so I'm fairly familiar with cats. Plus, we
raised a cocker spaniel. Plus, basically, I want to do right by this
little guy.

The shelter named him Charlie, and I may keep that. He's being neutered
over the weekend (or, as the parlance seems to be now, 'altered'), so I
pick him up Monday afternoon. I'm going shopping this weekend for
supplies.

Financially, I should be able to handle things, but I can't immediately
buy every single luxury a cat should have. I wanted to run my shopping
list by people. Prices are based on what's listed on Petsmart.Com.

The initial supplies I'm picking up a

Dry kitten food -- roughly $8-15
Wet kitten formula -- roughly $7
"Nature's Miracle" mess clean-up stuff -- $6
Bag of mice -- $4
-- (although I'm sure he'll nap for much of the day while I'm gone, I
want him to have something to play with in my absence)
Litterbox -- $10-30
Litterbox liners -- $2.50
Litter -- $7-9
Bed -- $20-25
Separate water and food dishes -- $6 to 12

From my next paycheck (this next Friday, the 14th), I'm going to get a
plastic carrier for about $20-25 so I can take him home to the folks
with me for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also, see below for a vet
charge ...

From the 11/30, 12/15, or 12/31 checks, I'll be getting a brush, kitty
nail clippers, and a laser pointer.

Medically, the shelter has taken care of his initial Felocell
inoculation, will give him a free rabies vaccination on 12/7 (he's too
young for it at the moment), gave him deworming on 11/2 (as a
precuationary), and was cleared for feline leukemia on 11/3. He
evidently had fleas but was dosed with Revolution and was cleared by
their vet as flea-free.

Sometime between November 22 and 26, I'll be paying $82.49 to a local
vet: office charge, Felocell CVR booster shot, and fecal sample.

Anything you see missing? And, would you classify the missing thing as
an:

* urgent -- needed before your cat arrives Monday
* can wait a week or two
* semi-luxury item -- get it over the next four or five weeks

Mike

Sounds good.
There are differing thoughts on lazer light.
Lots of people use them, but my opthamologist said not a good idea.

Just a thought,

Sylvia

"Mike Harris" wrote in message
...
Hello. I have just adopted a very cute 10-week-old little kitten. I'll
be a good guy with him -- my sister is raising two cats, and my parents
are raising another two, so I'm fairly familiar with cats. Plus, we
raised a cocker spaniel. Plus, basically, I want to do right by this
little guy.

The shelter named him Charlie, and I may keep that. He's being neutered
over the weekend (or, as the parlance seems to be now, 'altered'), so I
pick him up Monday afternoon. I'm going shopping this weekend for
supplies.

Financially, I should be able to handle things, but I can't immediately
buy every single luxury a cat should have. I wanted to run my shopping
list by people. Prices are based on what's listed on Petsmart.Com.

The initial supplies I'm picking up a

Dry kitten food -- roughly $8-15
Wet kitten formula -- roughly $7
"Nature's Miracle" mess clean-up stuff -- $6
Bag of mice -- $4
-- (although I'm sure he'll nap for much of the day while I'm gone, I
want him to have something to play with in my absence)
Litterbox -- $10-30
Litterbox liners -- $2.50
Litter -- $7-9
Bed -- $20-25
Separate water and food dishes -- $6 to 12

From my next paycheck (this next Friday, the 14th), I'm going to get a
plastic carrier for about $20-25 so I can take him home to the folks
with me for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also, see below for a vet
charge ...

From the 11/30, 12/15, or 12/31 checks, I'll be getting a brush, kitty
nail clippers, and a laser pointer.

Medically, the shelter has taken care of his initial Felocell
inoculation, will give him a free rabies vaccination on 12/7 (he's too
young for it at the moment), gave him deworming on 11/2 (as a
precuationary), and was cleared for feline leukemia on 11/3. He
evidently had fleas but was dosed with Revolution and was cleared by
their vet as flea-free.

Sometime between November 22 and 26, I'll be paying $82.49 to a local
vet: office charge, Felocell CVR booster shot, and fecal sample.

Anything you see missing? And, would you classify the missing thing as
an:

* urgent -- needed before your cat arrives Monday
* can wait a week or two
* semi-luxury item -- get it over the next four or five weeks

Mike

Congratulations on the addition!

I adopted kitties on a budget, too - it's not that hard. GOOD food,
water, a box and litter are of course immediate, must-haves. But, if
you're concerned about expense, I might forego a few things until they
PROVE necessary, so if you want recommendations, mine would be to trim
your shopping list:

-- nature's miracle: Excellent stuff, but if the little guy is box
trained and you can maybe put a few papers down around the box if it's
on carpet, you may not need this right away (if ever, if he's good!)

-- bag of mice: optional - a toy or two is nice, but when a new kitty
comes home, you'd be amazed at what proves to be a toy! A crumpled
lottery ticket is Sprout's fave. You can improvise rather than buy.

-- a bed: ditto. Kitties will love an old sweatshirt, a cardboard box
with a towel, a knit afghan that's been locked in the linen closet, or a
throw rug. I've acquired one or two "cat beds" over the years but found
they'd rather sit on a bathmat or my laundry.

-- litterbox liners: I've always found these useless. My guys shred
'em or dig 'em up. Just wash the box with dish soap and hot water when
you change litter.

-- bowls: Don't spend alot. I've heard recommendations against
plastics, as well. Go to a recycle store of some sort and get a few
$0.49 mismatched ceramic dishes.

I would add one ESSENTIAL: A scratching surface of some kind. You can
get these cardboard pads that aren't too pricey, and my cats love 'em,
the Cosmic Catnip scratcher, they're $10-15 in Canada, I think. A
Sisal-wrapped scratcher is around $10 for a cheap little wrapped board
you can put on the floor, to hundreds for elaborate cat jungle gyms. Go
with what you can afford, but kitty should have an "allowed" scratching
spot. Baby kitten claws are sharp and grow fast.

Good Luck!

Johanna
Panda, Sprout, Maui and Blue.

Mike Harris wrote:

The initial supplies I'm picking up a

Dry kitten food -- roughly $8-15
Wet kitten formula -- roughly $7
"Nature's Miracle" mess clean-up stuff -- $6
Bag of mice -- $4
-- (although I'm sure he'll nap for much of the day while I'm gone, I
want him to have something to play with in my absence)
Litterbox -- $10-30
Litterbox liners -- $2.50
Litter -- $7-9
Bed -- $20-25
Separate water and food dishes -- $6 to 12

Congratulations on the addition!

I adopted kitties on a budget, too - it's not that hard. GOOD food,
water, a box and litter are of course immediate, must-haves. But, if
you're concerned about expense, I might forego a few things until they
PROVE necessary, so if you want recommendations, mine would be to trim
your shopping list:

-- nature's miracle: Excellent stuff, but if the little guy is box
trained and you can maybe put a few papers down around the box if it's
on carpet, you may not need this right away (if ever, if he's good!)

-- bag of mice: optional - a toy or two is nice, but when a new kitty
comes home, you'd be amazed at what proves to be a toy! A crumpled
lottery ticket is Sprout's fave. You can improvise rather than buy.

-- a bed: ditto. Kitties will love an old sweatshirt, a cardboard box
with a towel, a knit afghan that's been locked in the linen closet, or a
throw rug. I've acquired one or two "cat beds" over the years but found
they'd rather sit on a bathmat or my laundry.

-- litterbox liners: I've always found these useless. My guys shred
'em or dig 'em up. Just wash the box with dish soap and hot water when
you change litter.

-- bowls: Don't spend alot. I've heard recommendations against
plastics, as well. Go to a recycle store of some sort and get a few
$0.49 mismatched ceramic dishes.

I would add one ESSENTIAL: A scratching surface of some kind. You can
get these cardboard pads that aren't too pricey, and my cats love 'em,
the Cosmic Catnip scratcher, they're $10-15 in Canada, I think. A
Sisal-wrapped scratcher is around $10 for a cheap little wrapped board
you can put on the floor, to hundreds for elaborate cat jungle gyms. Go
with what you can afford, but kitty should have an "allowed" scratching
spot. Baby kitten claws are sharp and grow fast.

Good Luck!

Johanna
Panda, Sprout, Maui and Blue.

Mike Harris wrote:

The initial supplies I'm picking up a

Dry kitten food -- roughly $8-15
Wet kitten formula -- roughly $7
"Nature's Miracle" mess clean-up stuff -- $6
Bag of mice -- $4
-- (although I'm sure he'll nap for much of the day while I'm gone, I
want him to have something to play with in my absence)
Litterbox -- $10-30
Litterbox liners -- $2.50
Litter -- $7-9
Bed -- $20-25
Separate water and food dishes -- $6 to 12

onlyTwoSeemsSoFewCats had some very
interesting things to say about Advice on Initial Stocking of
Supplies for Kitten?:

-- a bed: ditto. Kitties will love an old sweatshirt, a cardboard box
with a towel, a knit afghan that's been locked in the linen closet, or a
throw rug. I've acquired one or two "cat beds" over the years but found
they'd rather sit on a bathmat or my laundry.

My cat likes the sofa, the bed [especially if there's a human in it],
a basket of laundry [especially clean], or my sneakers. :-)

-- litterbox liners: I've always found these useless. My guys shred
'em or dig 'em up. Just wash the box with dish soap and hot water when
you change litter.

My cat is a very enthusiastic litterbox miner, and liners are as
useless with him as with your crew.

--
Felix, with help from his secretary/Mom

onlyTwoSeemsSoFewCats had some very
interesting things to say about Advice on Initial Stocking of
Supplies for Kitten?:

-- a bed: ditto. Kitties will love an old sweatshirt, a cardboard box
with a towel, a knit afghan that's been locked in the linen closet, or a
throw rug. I've acquired one or two "cat beds" over the years but found
they'd rather sit on a bathmat or my laundry.

My cat likes the sofa, the bed [especially if there's a human in it],
a basket of laundry [especially clean], or my sneakers. :-)

-- litterbox liners: I've always found these useless. My guys shred
'em or dig 'em up. Just wash the box with dish soap and hot water when
you change litter.

My cat is a very enthusiastic litterbox miner, and liners are as
useless with him as with your crew.

--
Felix, with help from his secretary/Mom

It sounds like a great list.
cat dishes---Corelle has dessert dishes which are the same size as the
china cat dishes but only cost $2 and they clean better. (PLastic
absorbs odors, and can get scratched)
water dish---straight sided crock---PetSmart has them. he can't tip it
over or try to play floor hockey with it. until he grows up a bit,
you might want a smallish one---so he doesn't try to play in it.
spare bath towel to put on his chosen piece of furniture---when
company comes you just take the towel off and they don't go home with
their backside covered with fur.
the pan liners are nice but Sailor (when I used to use them) would get
in there and snag the liner with a claw. he would snag until I would
finally tell him to stop! the snags meant the litter sometimes went
outside the liner.
litter---if you get the clumping kind---some people have reported
possible internal trouble if the kitten eats it. we use the PLAIN
crystals around here. Baby Kitty sometimes eats them. Haven't
noticed a problem.
water/milk bottle caps---great for floor hockey.
rings from water/milk bottles---some kitties like to carry them
around.
the CooperCats mom.


"Sylvia M." wrote in message ...
Sounds good.
There are differing thoughts on lazer light.
Lots of people use them, but my opthamologist said not a good idea.

Just a thought,

Sylvia

"Mike Harris" wrote in message
...
Hello. I have just adopted a very cute 10-week-old little kitten. I'll
be a good guy with him -- my sister is raising two cats, and my parents
are raising another two, so I'm fairly familiar with cats. Plus, we
raised a cocker spaniel. Plus, basically, I want to do right by this
little guy.

The shelter named him Charlie, and I may keep that. He's being neutered
over the weekend (or, as the parlance seems to be now, 'altered'), so I
pick him up Monday afternoon. I'm going shopping this weekend for
supplies.

Financially, I should be able to handle things, but I can't immediately
buy every single luxury a cat should have. I wanted to run my shopping
list by people. Prices are based on what's listed on Petsmart.Com.

The initial supplies I'm picking up a

Dry kitten food -- roughly $8-15
Wet kitten formula -- roughly $7
"Nature's Miracle" mess clean-up stuff -- $6
Bag of mice -- $4
-- (although I'm sure he'll nap for much of the day while I'm gone, I
want him to have something to play with in my absence)
Litterbox -- $10-30
Litterbox liners -- $2.50
Litter -- $7-9
Bed -- $20-25
Separate water and food dishes -- $6 to 12

From my next paycheck (this next Friday, the 14th), I'm going to get a
plastic carrier for about $20-25 so I can take him home to the folks
with me for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also, see below for a vet
charge ...

From the 11/30, 12/15, or 12/31 checks, I'll be getting a brush, kitty
nail clippers, and a laser pointer.

Medically, the shelter has taken care of his initial Felocell
inoculation, will give him a free rabies vaccination on 12/7 (he's too
young for it at the moment), gave him deworming on 11/2 (as a
precuationary), and was cleared for feline leukemia on 11/3. He
evidently had fleas but was dosed with Revolution and was cleared by
their vet as flea-free.

Sometime between November 22 and 26, I'll be paying $82.49 to a local
vet: office charge, Felocell CVR booster shot, and fecal sample.

Anything you see missing? And, would you classify the missing thing as
an:

* urgent -- needed before your cat arrives Monday
* can wait a week or two
* semi-luxury item -- get it over the next four or five weeks

Mike

It sounds like a great list.
cat dishes---Corelle has dessert dishes which are the same size as the
china cat dishes but only cost $2 and they clean better. (PLastic
absorbs odors, and can get scratched)
water dish---straight sided crock---PetSmart has them. he can't tip it
over or try to play floor hockey with it. until he grows up a bit,
you might want a smallish one---so he doesn't try to play in it.
spare bath towel to put on his chosen piece of furniture---when
company comes you just take the towel off and they don't go home with
their backside covered with fur.
the pan liners are nice but Sailor (when I used to use them) would get
in there and snag the liner with a claw. he would snag until I would
finally tell him to stop! the snags meant the litter sometimes went
outside the liner.
litter---if you get the clumping kind---some people have reported
possible internal trouble if the kitten eats it. we use the PLAIN
crystals around here. Baby Kitty sometimes eats them. Haven't
noticed a problem.
water/milk bottle caps---great for floor hockey.
rings from water/milk bottles---some kitties like to carry them
around.
the CooperCats mom.


"Sylvia M." wrote in message ...
Sounds good.
There are differing thoughts on lazer light.
Lots of people use them, but my opthamologist said not a good idea.

Just a thought,

Sylvia

"Mike Harris" wrote in message
...
Hello. I have just adopted a very cute 10-week-old little kitten. I'll
be a good guy with him -- my sister is raising two cats, and my parents
are raising another two, so I'm fairly familiar with cats. Plus, we
raised a cocker spaniel. Plus, basically, I want to do right by this
little guy.

The shelter named him Charlie, and I may keep that. He's being neutered
over the weekend (or, as the parlance seems to be now, 'altered'), so I
pick him up Monday afternoon. I'm going shopping this weekend for
supplies.

Financially, I should be able to handle things, but I can't immediately
buy every single luxury a cat should have. I wanted to run my shopping
list by people. Prices are based on what's listed on Petsmart.Com.

The initial supplies I'm picking up a

Dry kitten food -- roughly $8-15
Wet kitten formula -- roughly $7
"Nature's Miracle" mess clean-up stuff -- $6
Bag of mice -- $4
-- (although I'm sure he'll nap for much of the day while I'm gone, I
want him to have something to play with in my absence)
Litterbox -- $10-30
Litterbox liners -- $2.50
Litter -- $7-9
Bed -- $20-25
Separate water and food dishes -- $6 to 12

From my next paycheck (this next Friday, the 14th), I'm going to get a
plastic carrier for about $20-25 so I can take him home to the folks
with me for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also, see below for a vet
charge ...

From the 11/30, 12/15, or 12/31 checks, I'll be getting a brush, kitty
nail clippers, and a laser pointer.

Medically, the shelter has taken care of his initial Felocell
inoculation, will give him a free rabies vaccination on 12/7 (he's too
young for it at the moment), gave him deworming on 11/2 (as a
precuationary), and was cleared for feline leukemia on 11/3. He
evidently had fleas but was dosed with Revolution and was cleared by
their vet as flea-free.

Sometime between November 22 and 26, I'll be paying $82.49 to a local
vet: office charge, Felocell CVR booster shot, and fecal sample.

Anything you see missing? And, would you classify the missing thing as
an:

* urgent -- needed before your cat arrives Monday
* can wait a week or two
* semi-luxury item -- get it over the next four or five weeks

Mike

Great list. My only thoughts --

Never needed Nature's Miracle. Wouldn't buy it until I needed it.

Cat bed? That's the big thing in the bedroom you're used to sleeping in.
If my cats are sleeping with me, they are on the couch or recliner.
Occasionally one will nap in a basket I lined with old towels, but
that's rare.

A brush should come earlier rather than later. The earlier they get used
to gentle grooming, the better.

If you're using litter, you'll probably need a scoop to sift it with.

Enjoy Charlie!

Gabrielle

Mike Harris wrote:

Hello. I have just adopted a very cute 10-week-old little kitten. I'll
be a good guy with him -- my sister is raising two cats, and my parents
are raising another two, so I'm fairly familiar with cats. Plus, we
raised a cocker spaniel. Plus, basically, I want to do right by this
little guy.

The shelter named him Charlie, and I may keep that. He's being neutered
over the weekend (or, as the parlance seems to be now, 'altered'), so I
pick him up Monday afternoon. I'm going shopping this weekend for
supplies.

Financially, I should be able to handle things, but I can't immediately
buy every single luxury a cat should have. I wanted to run my shopping
list by people. Prices are based on what's listed on Petsmart.Com.

The initial supplies I'm picking up a

Dry kitten food -- roughly $8-15
Wet kitten formula -- roughly $7
"Nature's Miracle" mess clean-up stuff -- $6
Bag of mice -- $4
-- (although I'm sure he'll nap for much of the day while I'm gone, I
want him to have something to play with in my absence)
Litterbox -- $10-30
Litterbox liners -- $2.50
Litter -- $7-9
Bed -- $20-25
Separate water and food dishes -- $6 to 12

From my next paycheck (this next Friday, the 14th), I'm going to get a
plastic carrier for about $20-25 so I can take him home to the folks
with me for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also, see below for a vet
charge ...

From the 11/30, 12/15, or 12/31 checks, I'll be getting a brush, kitty
nail clippers, and a laser pointer.

Medically, the shelter has taken care of his initial Felocell
inoculation, will give him a free rabies vaccination on 12/7 (he's too
young for it at the moment), gave him deworming on 11/2 (as a
precuationary), and was cleared for feline leukemia on 11/3. He
evidently had fleas but was dosed with Revolution and was cleared by
their vet as flea-free.

Sometime between November 22 and 26, I'll be paying $82.49 to a local
vet: office charge, Felocell CVR booster shot, and fecal sample.

Anything you see missing? And, would you classify the missing thing as
an:

* urgent -- needed before your cat arrives Monday
* can wait a week or two
* semi-luxury item -- get it over the next four or five weeks

Mike