A new kitten doesn’t come cheap! There’s the initial cost of purchasing a pedigree or donation required to adopt a rescue, plus any necessary vaccinations or boosters. In addition, during his first year your kitten will need:

Regular flea and worming treatments. Your vet will be able to advise you on the most appropriate treatment for your cat.

To be neutered! There are so many benefits to having this done — and there are too many homeless kittens as it is.

Grooming products to keep his coat clean and tangle-free, to remove dead skin cells and improve circulation.

Toys to keep him active and entertained.

A collar and tag, as well as a microchip — this will make sure he is easily identified should he get lost. Collars aren’t usually suitable for kittens under the age of six months. When the time comes, get him a collar with a quick release buckle, and make sure you can easily slide two fingers beneath it while he’s wearing it.

Bowls — plastic, stainless steel and china bowls are easy to wash. Make sure the bowl is heavy enough to prevent it being tipped over.

Food. You will need to decide whether to feed him a wet or dry diet, or a mixture of both in alternate meals.

Litter. A good litter should absorb liquid, mask smells and be fine enough to be raked by paws and to cover solids. Buy tray liners and a litter tray scoop for easy cleaning, plus a pet-friendly disinfectant for washing out the tray.

A scratching post — essential if you want to protect furnishings and carpets, as well as keeping your kitten’s claws in shape. While he’s scratching the post he’ll be marking the post with scent from his paw pads and this will help him to feel secure.

Pet insurance — well worth the investment as vet bills can be very costly and treatment for an unexpected accident or illness could cost hundreds of pounds. Shop around and find one, ideally that offers lifelong cover, and that suits your budget.

A pet carrier — vital for those inevitable trips to the vet or cattery.

A litter tray. There’s a lot of choice out there — a standard plastic one should suffice while he is small, althoughyou might want to invest in a larger, hooded design when he’s older. You could try both options — he’ll make his preference known!

A bed. The perfect one should give him somewhere cosy, warm and private to sleep.

A cat flap for when he’s older, if you decide to allow him outdoors. There’s a good choice available, from the simple ones to those that are operated by a magnet on the cat’s collar, and now some which respond to the cat’s microchip.

A Your Cat subscription - need we say more? It’s your monthly cat care manual, and a fantastic read!

Want to find out more?
For all you need to know on choosing and caring for your new kitten, get your paws on a copy of our Your Kitten supplement - FREE with the June 2008 issue of Your Cat magazine. To order a copy, call Jo Yeates on 01780 766199 between 9am and 5pm, weekdays.