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Kitten Fostering Supplies

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Every year, thousands of kittens in LA are born on the streets. Some lucky kittens will get taken in by a shelter or rescue, but with such high demand these organizations can only do so much. That's why fostering is such an important job! As a foster...
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Sleep

Depending on the age of your kitten and how well your home is kitten-proofed, you're probably going to want to set up a special area for your kitten for a few days or weeks while they get old enough to be trusted alone in your home. Their sleeping ar...

 
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This playpen is large enough for a small kitten to have a bed, litterbox, and food bowls in the same contained space. This can help keep the kitten safe while they sleep, or at least keep them isolated from other pets or children while they need to b...
Foldable Pet Kitten Playpen
 
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My foster kitten loved this cave bed! The cave setting is perfect for new kittens who may want a place to hide while getting used to their new environment. Once they get more comfortable you can change the setting to be a regular bed which is also ve...
Bedsure 2-in-1 Cat Cave Tent with Pillow
 
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If you have extra towels lying around the house that you don't mind sacrificing to a potentially dirty kitten, use those before buying brand new ones. Towels or old clothing in general can be good temporary bedding or covers for their actual bedding ...
Amazon Basics 6-Piece Navy Blue Cotton Towel Set

Food

Kittens eat a lot! Make sure they're developing normally with the proper food, but be sure to transition them to new foods slowly and under the supervision of a vet when possible.

 
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There are so many different types of kitten food available. Wet is typically best for cats, so if you can afford it try to get this first. I would also recommend getting a variety pack of different flavors and textures so you can see what your kitten...
Weruva Cats in The Kitchen Kitten Variety Pack
 
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Although wet is best, sometimes cats just don't like it or can't digest it well - or, honestly, it's just too expensive, especially if you're fostering out of your own pocket. Dry food is then the next best option, and I like this brand well enough f...
Hill's Science Diet Kitten Dry Cat Food 7lb
 
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For kittens on a primarily wet food diet, these crunchy treats are a great way to clean their teeth while also getting them used to chewing crunchy foods!
Greenies Feline Smartbites Kitten Treats
 
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Churus are a classic for cat households. These are great as little treats; I've used them to lure kittens out of hiding places, reward them for being good while clipping nails, and for giving them liquid medicine.
INABA Churu Grain-Free Lickable Cat Treats, 50 Tubes, Tuna & Chicken
 
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Consider using a silicone food mat to make mealtime messes much easier to clean up!
Hoki Found Waterproof Pet Feeding Mats
 
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These shallow bowls are perfect for tiny kittens. As they get older you can consider getting a more elevated bowl so their necks don't hurt, but when they're small a floor-level dish should be fine.
Kitwinney Whisker Friendly Ceramic Cat Bowls, Pack of 3
 
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Cats typically prefer flowing water to still water. If you're having a hard time getting your kitten to drink from a regular bowl, or if they're on a primarily dry food diet and you want to encourage them to drink more, this fountain is a good, cheap...
Veken 95oz Automatic Pet Water Fountain

Toys

You'll definitely want to make sure your kitten is enriched and socialized - meaning they don't think your hands and feet are toys. Use these items to keep them distracted and teach them what's okay to actually play with!

 
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There's a good chance your kitten will like something from this bundle. Try lots of different things to see what they enjoy best.
Retro Shaw Cat Toys 33 Pack Interactive Kitten
 
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This is a pricier investment but can be a great source of enrichment for any cat or kitten. They'll have tons of fun seeking out toys and treats or hiding within this rug.
SNUGGLYCAT Ripple Rug Cat Activity Play Mat, Oatmeal ...

Bathroom

Luckily cats are very clean and easy to train to use the litterbox! If your kitten is super young you may need to help them figure out how to use the bathroom, but older kittens should instinctively be able to figure it out.

 
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Use this for young kittens who may have never used the litterbox before!
Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Kitten Attract Litter 20lb
 
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Make sure your litterbox is appropriately sized for your kitten. This one is pretty small, so should be good for a kitten as small as 2 pounds. Typically I would also recommend a stainless steel litterbox for easier cleaning, but since fostering is m...
Petmate Litter Pan, Blue/Gray, Small, Made in USA
 
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Even though kittens should be using the bathroom in the litterbox, accidents can happen! It's a good idea to place these pads underneath their litterbox and all over their sleeping area just to catch any mess that might occur. Trust me, it makes mess...
Amazon Basics Dog Pee Pads, 22x22, 50ct

Transportation

Eventually, you or your kitten's adopter are going to need a way to transport that kitten. Being in a car, on a plane, or on a leash isn't most cats' idea of fun, but if you start training them young then vet visits in the future may be less painful. 

 
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This carrier is airline approved and supports both top and side entry. Top entry can be a lifesaver if you have a fussy cat who refuses to go into their carrier.
Vceoa 17.5x11x11 Soft-Sided Pet Carrier
 
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This upgraded carrier is also soft-sided and airline approved, but has the added bonus of being expandable. I used this to bring a new kitten home and expanded it so he had some room to roam and get a little more used to being in my home before being...
BAGLHER Airline Approved Soft Cat Carrier
 
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If your kitten is old/big enough, you can try to start harness training them from an early age! I like this harness because it's a bit harder for my cat to escape from and feels nice and secure. I've used this to safely transport her throughout the a...
rabbitgoo Cat Harness & Leash XS Black

Grooming

Yes, cats usually groom themselves, but sometimes they need some extra help! Kittens especially should be taught to handle some of these grooming activities at a young age so it's easier to get it done when they're grown.

 
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These wipes are the perfect alternative to use if you can't get your kitten used to the bath yet. They're large enough that you can use just one wipe to clean off a whole kitten.
Earth Rated Hypoallergenic Pet Wipes, 100 Ct
 
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It's used in wildlife rescue for a reason! If your kitten just needs a regular bath (not a flea bath) this is the perfect first step. Even if the kitten has fleas, as long as the infestation isn't too bad I've been able to drown fleas out just using ...
Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, Original Scent, 38 fl oz