Cats need a scratching post, litter box, litter material, and a scoop to remove droppings, on top of the list on Pet Care.
Food:
Kittens usually eat four meals a day until about three months of age. Though canned food is more palatable to cats, dry food should be the main portion of the diet. Canned food can lead to tooth decay as the cat ages.
Water:
The old wives tale is that cats should drink milk. Well, they do enjoy it, but it may cause diarrhea. Milk should never be a replacement for water. Fresh, clean water should be available to cats at all time.
Housing:
Cats do like the outside, because they like to roam. It is best to keep them inside the house, however, to prevent problems that can arise with wild animals, fleas, and accidents with cars. Indoor cats have a longer lifespan. Litter box training your cat is very important and can actually be a simple task to learn. If your cat is having problems remembering where the litter box is, it might be a good idea to confine him to a smaller area until he gets the hang of it. Also, it will probably be necessary to set up a separate litter box and food dish for the newcomer if you have more than one cat. Don't be alarmed if the older cats use this. It is all a part of the seniority training for the new kitty. Just make sure the previous kitties don't prevent the new one from using it. Toys are essential - cats like balls and small catnip toys. Make sure that the toy is safe for the cat to play with. Take time to play with your cat so that he or she gets good exercise.
You will need to keep food put away and also put away any poisonous plants and substances the cat could get into.
Scratching:
You may want to provide your cat with a scratching post so it does not claw your furniture to death. Indoor cats need their nails clipped periodically to cut down on damage done by scratching tendencies. Check with your veterinarian on new plastic caps that can be used on cat's nails. If the cat starts scratching things it shouldn't, place its paws on the scratching post or pad. Do this consistantly! Punishment such as a water gun or loud noise will only work for some cats. A lot of cats will not recognize this as punishment and regard it as a sign of hostile intent on the part of the person who administers the punishment. Simply put, the cat will not like you and will avoid you if it thinks you did it. So, be careful with punishment and be clever so that the cat will think it came from the object it isn't supposed to be around and not from you.
Training:
Kittens should be socialized as soon as possible. Linking the cats name to events that it desires, like meals, allows the cat to remember his/her name. It is necessary to give your cat companionship, but allow some time for your cat to be alone.
Health:
Regular veterinarian visits are essential to good health. It is necessary for your cat to be updated yearly on all its shots, such as Distemper, Rabies, and Feline Leukemia . It is to your advantage and to the cats advantage to have the cat spayed or neutered. Neutering a cat will stop most males from spraying. It also reduces the cat's instinct to wander to look for a mate. Also, spay/neuter prevents your cat from making babies that could end up unwanted and die in an animal shelter. Cats have a higher chance of living longer with this procedure being done and they also will not add to the pet overpopulation problem. Cats can be neutered and spayed as early as six months of age, though you should consult with your veterinarian as to when your cat should be fixed. Salem Animal Rescue League offers a Spay/Neuter Program.
Some possible health problems that may arise and must be checked by your veterinarian include: ear mites (if they are always shaking their head, scratching their ears, or if there is an odorous, dark discharge from their ear), urinary problems (changes in urination or drinking, bloody urine), worms (which most likely will be detected in a fecal examination), shedding/hairballs (grooming your pet can reduce the occurrence of hairballs), skin problems (such as eczema, mange, and ringworm) or any change in fur appearance.
