Article: Your cat will understandably be nervous when you take it home, and a secure carrier can offer an enclosed space to offer comfort and keep your cat safe.  Some cats vomit or urinate while nervous, so a well-made carrier can protect your car's interior. Your shelter or breeder may be able to lend you a carrier for your first trip home. Ask your shelter or breeder for a blanket or towel that your cat has been sleeping with to put in the carrier. The familiar smell will be comforting to your cat on its trip to your home. Your cat or kitten will obviously need to eat and eliminate waste the day you bring it home, so be prepared by having all of the essentials you will need. These include food and water dishes, a litter box, and a supply of kitty litter.  Kittens grow a lot in their first year, and they have specific dietary and nutritional needs. If you're adopting a kitten, be sure to buy specially formulated kitten food.  You may want to talk with your shelter or breeder and select the same type of food and litter your cat or kitten is already used to, at least for the first few weeks. You can gradually add in different types so your cat doesn't face too many changes at once. While some cats may be happy to sleep on other furniture in the house, they will feel more secure and comfortable if they have their own bed. You can choose a bed as simple as a cat-sized pillow, blanket, or mat or a nest-type bed that will help keep your cat warm while sleeping.   Cats like to sleep off of the floor, so place your cat's bed on top of a chair or table. Be cautious about this with very young kittens or elderly cats. This may increase their risk for injury. If you have more than one cat, providing a bed for each of them will help ease territorial issues. You may need to move the location of the cat's bed a few times before you find a place that your cat prefers. It can be easy to forget about these if you haven't had a cat before, but they are important for making your new pet feel at home.  Make sure any cat toys you buy don't have small pieces that can be easily eaten by your cats. Similarly, steer clear of toys with strings or ribbon on them. If these become loose, your cat can swallow them. Keep rubber bands and elastic away from your cats as well because they can swallow these and choke on them or sustain intestinal injuries from them. You will want to make sure your new cat or kitten is in good health as soon as it becomes yours, so find and schedule a visit with a veterinarian as soon as possible. It is best if you can take your cat to the veterinarian before you even bring it home.  Your veterinarian will check for pests like ear mites, fleas, and worms. Your cat or kitten will also receive any vaccinations it needs. Keep in mind that kittens can be spayed or neutered as early as eight weeks, but ideally before 6 months of age. However, spaying or neutering is a wise idea at any age after eight weeks.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Purchase a sturdy pet carrier to take your cat home. Buy feeding and litter box supplies. Purchase bedding for your new pet. Remember to get toys and scratching posts for your cat. Find a veterinarian.