reparing for a new kitten takes a little time and planning. There are also a few things that you may wish to purchase if you haven't done so already.

our shopping list should include:

• carrier to travel home in and to the vet
• an open faced litter box
• kitten safe litter
• a scratching post with sisal on it
• a premium brand of kitten food
• water and food dish (stainless steel are the best)
• kitty bed, hide-a-way, or hammock
• a steel comb (brushes cause static electricity)
• grooming powder or shampoo (safe for kittens)
• toenail clippers
• favorite cat toys (balls, pillow, feather rods etc.)

fter purchasing the necessities, if you don't already have one, make initial contact with a veterinarian in your area. Ask him or her questions, find out the business hours and whether walk-ins are permitted, also find out about emergency clinics and services. You never know when an emergency may creep up on you. Be prepared ahead of time. Now that the shopping and vet are covered, give your house a once over.

heck for small spaces that kitty may hide or get lost in, check for breakables and move them higher up, check for loose cables and wires (surely a fun play item). Remember to initially limit your new kitten's space to one room and then gradually integrate him to the rest of the home.

our new kitten is almost ready to go home. This will be a big change for him, he will be leaving his mom and siblings behind and traveling (perhaps for hours) to his new home. You kitten may be nervous, timid, scared, crying and/or stressed upon its arrival. You should arranged for the first few hours to be quiet ones. Place kitty with its carrier in the small room you prepared for his arrival. Open the door of the carrier and let him come out by himself when he feels comfortable enough to explore his new surroundings.

ow comes the hard part, if you have young children, you will want to encourage them to calmly greet the new kitten and refrain from loud noises and extreme actions of excitement. I know this is hard, after all I have three children of my own, but slowly they begin to realize that cool, calm, collected is the better approach if they want to see their new kitten again in the next few days (after he runs and hides on them).

f you have other house pets, you will want to be there when the introductions take place, as the gentlest of pets may not react kindly to bringing in this new stranger. For more information about integrating your new kitten into a home of children and pets, see our Integration section on this website.