From Food & Toys To Pet Insurance, Here’s What You’ll Need When Preparing For A Kitten

Written by: Kelli Brinegar
For more than five years, Kelli Brinegar has been using her ability to write and her passion for research to tell the tale of what cats are thinking and why. She has provided care to more than 30 cats in her lifetime.Read more
| Published on May 31, 2022

Getting a kitten is one of life’s most joyful experiences, as it’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship that will last for years to come. And whether you’re still preparing for kitten kisses or already getting covered up in them, bringing home a new fur baby means you’ve got a lot of decisions to make and a long shopping list to match. From the cutest toys to the best pet insurance plan, there are so many things a kitten needs in life!

In preparing for your little tyke, you’ve got to get the house kitten-ready, buy the essentials, and choose who will provide medical care to the kitten. You’ll also need to choose a pet insurance plan because financially protecting your kitten is another part of responsible cat parenting. And with PHI Direct, Canada’s first fluff-free pet health insurance, you’ll have the healthcare coverage covered!

Let’s check out what you’ll need to do before your kitten comes home.

Prepare Your Home for the New Arrival

Part of good cat care is kitten-proofing your home. And the best way to see hazards in your house is to get on the ground and think like a curious fluff ball who wants to stick their whiskers in everything! You’ll quickly find the best spots for trouble from this viewpoint.

In short, be sure to gate off access to off-limits areas, pick up choking hazards, secure electrical cords, and move toxic plants. Make sure cabinets can’t be snooped in and put chemicals and cleansers well out of reach.

Buy All the Necessary Equipment to Spoil Your Kitten

Kittens need lots of stuff. First and foremost, they need nutritious food to help them grow and develop. Get some yummy treats to help train your kitten while you’re at it. Of course, you’ll want to put the food in an adorable and functional food bowl. And don’t forget the water dish or a water fountain!

Your little one also needs cozy beds and blankets for all those naps. Make one of those a covered bed and have it ready so when your kitten comes home, they have a safe place to retreat if they feel overwhelmed. Then, there are the toys! Kittens need toys to help them develop their hunting skills and satisfy their boundless energy. You’ll probably go overboard buying toys for your kit, and that’s just fine as kittens are too cute when they play so hard.

Add a collar or harness and a leash to your list, too. And because babies make messes, have pee pads at the ready. It’s probably a good idea to have shampoo for your cat on hand. Brushes for grooming and nail trimmers will also be needed to keep your kitten looking and feeling their best!

Choose Your Kitten’s Veterinary Care Team

If you already have furry ones at home, choosing a veterinarian for your new kitten is already done. But if you’re selecting a new veterinarian, be prepared to do some research. Choosing the right clinic can be an overwhelming decision, but with informed research and recommendations from sources you trust, making the right choice becomes much easier.

And remember, kittens need to see their vet several times over the first year for vaccination boosters, parasite prevention, and spay/neuter surgery. Once your kitten grows into a cat, you’ll be making trips to the vet on a semi-annual basis for checkups, vaccinations, and if your kitty gets sick. As parents, we tend to worry when our fur babies are ill, so part of choosing a medical team involves finding a practice where you both feel safe and calm. You might also consider a cat-only vet clinic or a mobile vet.

Protect Your Kitten with Pet Insurance

Of the 45 million American homes with at least one cat, these families report spending an average of $1,344 on annual vet bills. If your cat experiences an emergency or the onset of a continuing condition, you could easily spend far more than that average. But when you purchase health insurance for your kitten when the little bundle joins the family, you’re getting ahead of the vet bills that are one day bound to come. And the kittens and cats of Canada can find pet insurance without the fluff when their parents go direct with PHI Direct

Covering up to 80% of new and unexpected veterinary treatments due to accidents or illness, PHI Direct brings you low prices so you can avoid high vet bills. Their ‘Time-Limited Coverage’ plans offer enough coverage for most situations at a reasonable rate while eliminating the need to wade through endless and confusing options. Simply choose whether you’ll go direct with the Direct 5 or Direct 10 plan.

And remember, when you become a customer, you’ll have the full-blown support of the team via phone, chat, and email. Coverage is only available in Canada.