Never had a kitten before? They have two switches: on and off. On is full out play and frisky fun; off is sleeping in such an adorable way that you cannot resist waking them up again. They have a knack for finding the sweetest ways of sleeping: you will find them curled up in a ball in your new hat or draped across your couch with their fluffy paws covering their face. Kittens sleep more than they play, but when they play, they play hard! What follows are some suggested pet supplies and helpful tidbits on how to take care of and get along with your new friend.

Basic Necessities
The most important pet supply your new kitten will need is lots of love and affection! Other than that, you only need a few basic things available at a pet supply store; these days it is also easy to order from pet supplies stores online.

Cat Food - Choose a cat food formulated especially for kittens that are growing fast and need more nutrients than older cats. Canned food is good for kittens who were recently weaned from their mother's milk and whose teeth might not be as strong yet. You can also supplement your kitten's diet with a variety of human foods including meat, kale, cheese, and eggs; also a surprising number of cats love cantaloupe, so feel free to experiment. Be careful of feeding cats tuna fish as a substitute for canned food though because it doesn't supply enough necessary nutrients and can cause deficiencies.

Litter Box and Kitty Litter - Choose a box that is not too big for your kitten to get in and out of. Boxes with lids that kitties enter cut down on odor. Kittens instinctively dig a hole and bury their poop, so make sure the litter you choose allows for this. If your kitten does not seem to know what to do, scratch her paws in the litter; this usually helps her get the idea.

Pet Carrier - A pet carrier is useful for bringing your kitten home, transporting him/her to the vet or on trips, and helps keep your pet safe and feeling secure. Choose one that is not too small and allows for plenty of air.

Collar and Name Tag - You can often get these made to order at pets supplies stores and sometimes at your veterinarian's office. Make sure you have your correct address and phone number, so your lost friend can be returned to you. It is also a good idea to invest in pet insurance.

Other Helpful Pet Supplies

Cat Toys - They love to pounce on anything that moves; so if you are keeping them indoors make sure to provide plenty to play with and chase after. If you put a box out, they will jump in it; if anything is dangling they will attack it. A great toy is a fishing rod with feathers dangling from it. Kittens are great jumpers and will perform circus tricks for you if you keep daring them to jump higher by holding something they want in the air and whooshing it away from them.

Scratching Post - Scratching post are essential for the in-door cat if you want to keep your curtains and couches in one piece. Kittens love a good tree trunk as well. There are also all natural sprays that you can use on areas you do not want your cat to scratch on.

Water Gun - this is a helpful training tool for older kittens. Cats hate getting wet, so a little spray when they keep hopping up on the dinner table after you have told them "no" a number of times will give them the message that their behavior is unacceptable. Water guns are not always available at pets supplies, so try a toy store for this item.

Training Cats?

If you are used to dogs, be warned; kittens are nothing like them. Dogs are pack animals; they want you to take charge and adore pleasing you; but cats are solitary hunters; they want to do it their way. You can not train them like you can dogs. They will never learn to sit or shake hands, but, they can be persuaded to do things your way. If you want to train your kitten to stop shredding your curtains, give him a scratching post and encourage him to use it by including it in games. If you want her to stop accidently clawing you to shreds, whenever she sticks out her claws, hold them softly and say "gentle" or "velvet paws" in a soft voice; usually after a few days, she gets the idea. Try not to tease them with your hands or feet and use toys instead. This will help kittens understand the difference between your hands and something to pounce on.

Most of all, enjoy your kitten as much as possible because she will not be a kitten for long!

Getting pet health insurance is very important for your new kitten! It will help insure that they live a long healthy life and that you will be able to care for them in case of any unfortunate illness or injury! You might also need flea and tick medication like Frontline for kittens that are at least 8 weeks old.