American
Shorthair Cats
What to
have ready for your new kitten
There are certain things that you will need to do for your new
American Shorthair kitten. This is
a list of the basics that all kittens should have.
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Litter box - the covered ones help control smell. Litter box
should be scooped daily.
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Litter scoop – find one you like and get a
couple.
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Litter - We use Feline Pine Clumping - Buy this
for the first time anyway and then slowly add the new litter you want to use if
you prefer a different kind, it will be an easier transition for the kitten if
there are familiar things around.
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Carrying crate to take your kitten/cat to the vet or
on trips with you.
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Ceramic or stainless steel water dish - dish should
be washed between fillings. Plastic can cause chin acne for some cats.
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Fresh food daily – ceramic or stainless steel
dish should be washed between feedings - We feed Royal Canin Kitten dry and Blue
Ridge Beef raw, but if you want to feed canned food we prefer Science
Diet or Pro Plan.
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Safe environment - no poisonous plants or open
chemical containers. Here is a link to follow that identifies poisionous plants
to avoid. http://www.cfainc.org/articles/plants.html
Also, watch for wires and other items they may chew on. Think of it like baby
proofing your house. This includes treasured breakables. Kittens are curious
and will always head for items that you dearly love like a toddler.
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Gentle handling – no scary voices for the
babies. You can use a stern no and for the persistant cat try a water bottle or
rattle paper.
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Scratching and Climbing Trees - saves on furniture and they
love to sit high on perches. Better a tree than your furniture. It needs to be
good and tall so they can stretch all the way out and climb up for a good nap.
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Accessible window with a perch/ledge so they can watch
what goes on outside - (preferably a sunny window)
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Toys – our babies love tinsel balls, sparkle
balls, mylar teaser toys, feather teasers and anything with catnip.
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Love and affection – Americans love to hang out
with you and want to be with you always. Make sure you give your baby lots of
attention and a good belly rub daily. That is how they have been raised.
Please feel free to email me or call if you are unsure or if you
can think of something I have forgotten! erin@americanshorthair.net
Links to favorite items:
http://www.naturesearth.com/rebates.html (This is Feline Pine Scoopable)
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