Things you will need before you bring your kitten home:
Cat Food
You would be surprised how many people forget this, or leave it to the way home only to find the shop closed, or that it doesn't stock the right type of food for their kitten.
Choosing the right kind of food for your Ragdoll kitten is important - they may have special dietary requirements such as grain free and hypoallergenic foods.
Identification
A must-have item are identification tags which should be firmly attached to your kitten's collar. Remember to include your current address and phone number. It's also a good idea to include a separate tag with your veterinarian's name and phone number. We strongly recommend NOT to include your pets name on the tags, as anyone who may try to take your kitten will be able to call them by name and your cat may assume they are friendly.
Most pet shops offer over-the-counter tag engraving.
Stain Removers and Deodorizers
We can say for sure that at some point your kitten will make a big mess. Having good cleaning products ready to go is important to avoid any lasting stains or, more importantly, any lingering smells. If the area is not cleaned and deodorised properly, your kitten will be able to smell it and will assume that this is the place to go to the bathroom. Remember that just because you can't smell it, doesn't mean that your cat can't - their sense of smell is much better than your own. Most stain removers do a good job, but we highly recommend the Simple Solution Extreme Stain Remover.
Grooming - Shampoo, Brush/Comb, Toothbrush/Paste
Yes, you're kitten needs to brush its teeth too! Poor dental health can lead to a number of health problems, but they are so easy to avoid. You can get an actual Cat Toothbrush, but in our experience a lot of cats won't sit and allow you to brush their teeth. You can get Toothbrush Chew Toys and fill with cat toothpaste instead - this will clean their teeth and provide entertainment all in one.
A lot of cat owners choose to have their kitty professionally groomed, but if you want to bath them at home then you'll need a good shampoo. Kittens skin is sensitive, and even grown cats can be prone to skin irritation from chemicals and substances present in a lot of grooming products. We recommend using a sensitive cat shampoo with no or only a mild scent.
Cat Bed
Your new kitten needs to feel safe and comfortable to have a good nights sleep, especially if you plan to have them sleep downstairs overnight.
Realistically, your kitty will outgrow their first bed quickly, so we recommend finding one that is comfortable but inexpensive. We have found that our cats will sleep in their beds, but will just as often sleep in any number of weird and wonderful places, so an super expensive bed is not necessary.
Toys!
Kittens love to play! Having Cat toys that your kitty has easy access to is important to help avoid any destructive behaviour. Toys are also a great way to bond with your new kitten - some cats will even play fetch.
Choosing toys and that are the right size, shape and texture for their growing teeth, mouth, jaws and paws is important for healthy physical development.