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Trust me when I say you need these socket covers and a baby gate.

Tessa Flores is a Staff Writer for HuffPost covering a number of shopping topics and lifestyle trends.

I quickly learned that the needs and behaviors of young cats are vastly different from those that are full-grown, and, like human babies, they require specific products and tools to help keep them safe, healthy, engaged and on track to develop good habits that they’ll take with them into adulthood.

Below, I have chosen to feature items that go beyond the essentials and basics, such as litter boxes, food and toys. And don’t worry, I know our sweet fur babies grow up fast, so I assure you that these products will prove to be useful no matter what stage they’re in.  

Cats are curious creatures by nature, and kittens especially. This means they'll want to enter rooms and spaces that you don't necessarily want them exploring. That's where this adjustable baby gate proved to be immensely helpful, which we keep secured in front of the stair entrance to keep my cat, Hank, from taking an accidental tumble. Standing at about 23 inches tall, it can easily be secured to doorways measuring up to 42 inches wide using the pull-up lever that makes it easy to move the gate back so you can get through. We chose this gate in particular for its small trellis pattern, unlike most baby gates I looked at, which had larger slats that Hank could easily slip through. It doesn't require any kind of permanent installation; instead, it just uses tension, and the rubber bumpers on the sides don't leave any kind of marks on door jambs or walls. 

Just like the inquisitive fingers of babies and children may wander to a potentially dangerous electrical socket, cats, too, may be unable to resist this shocking temptation. After seeing Hank try and stick a claw into a wall outlet one day, I immediately ordered this pack of 32 plug protectors that are compatible with all American power points, are made with a durable BPA-free plastic and fit snugly into sockets so they're not easy for tenacious paws to pry free.

Get them from Amazon for $7.99 (also available in a 50-pack).

In Hank's first few weeks at home, I needed a way to keep him contained and out of trouble on those occasions when I couldn't keep a constant eye on him, so a friend of mine who fosters kittens suggested getting a pet play pen. I was really pleased with this option from Amazon, which turned out to be very well-made and incredibly easy to set up and store thanks to its pop-open design.

Available in four sizes (I got the extra large so it could store Hank's food, water, bed and litter box during "lock down"), this pen has one zippered side entrance and the top can be fully unzipped for wider top access. I also like that the base is completely waterproof, so it's easy to clean up messes. Hank is now past the age of needing constant supervision, but I still put him in this pen to allow him to spend time in the backyard securely. 

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three colors).

This PetSafe water fountain was a hand-me-down from my previous cat, and both of my babies absolutely love it — and I'm almost certain your cat will too. It turns out cats actually prefer to drink running water, rather than from a stagnant bowl of water, because it harkens back to their evolutionary instincts that associate moving water with freshness and safety. I love that it's stainless steel, a non-porous and easier-to-clean material, over plastic, which can harbor bacteria. I also feel like the stainless steel keeps water colder for longer, especially after I add a few ice cubes during the summer months. 

Another really big benefit to this fountain is the volcano design, in which the water flows out through the top of it. This prevents whisker fatigue, an uncomfortable sensation cats can get when their sensitive whiskers are forced to rub up against the sides of a bowl. 

The fountain requires both a charcoal and a pre-filter that need to be replaced once a month. To save money and ensure I never run out, I buy these filter replacements in bulk.

In my experience, not just any old food bowl will do, which is why I purchased this cute pair of dishes made from a non-porous ceramic material that won't stain, harbour bacteria and is incredibly easy to wash clean. They are intentionally raised and tilted, an ergonomic design that keeps your cat's neck at a natural position to prevent vomiting and whisker fatigue, reduce strain and improve digestion. It also keeps the food at the bowl's center, rather than being pushed up to the sides. 

Get them from Amazon for $23.88+ (available in two styles).

In addition to your regular line-up of mice, crinkly balls, teasers and other enriching toys for cats, I highly suggest getting a chew or teething toy for your kitten, because, as I soon learned with Hank, these little guys love to gnaw on just about anything. This spoked rubber toy is one of Hank's absolute favorites, and I keep a few close by, especially whenever he starts to want to chew on my fingers. It's the perfect firm, yet soft texture, and the rubber is actually infused with catnip oil to keep him even more engaged. The durable fabric ties on each side keep him entertained, and so far, this toy has held up exceptionally well. 

Get it from Chewy for $2.11 (originally $3.99).

There's nothing like having the peace of mind that only a pet camera can provide, especially when you have a curious kitten that likes to get into just about anything, and you're not at home to stop them. I have an older and outdated pet cam that's on its last leg, and this one by our editor-favorite brand Kasa is at the top of my list.

Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon across 33,000+ ratings, this indoor cam offers a crisp HD video feed directly to your smartphone and automatically records up to 30 days of video history. Watch your furry friend in clear night vision and from any angle, as this camera can tilt and pan, and communicate with them using the two-way audio feature. What really sold me on this affordable model was that it requires only a Wifi connection and no monthly subscription, unlike some of the more popular pet cameras out there on the market. 

Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (also available in black and in a newer style).

I never really considered upgrading my existing soft-sided pet carrier until a couple of months ago, when the notion of a car crash-resistant carrier came across my radar and I immediately began shopping for such an option. At the tippy top of my wish list is the Sleepypod Air, a luxury pet carrier that's not only a breeze to travel with and is TSA-compliant for in-cabin transport, but it's also been crash-tested by the Center for Pet Safety. 

Like all of Sleepypod's designs, this luggage-grade carrier is meant to mimic a pet bed, featuring a plush base that's removable and machine-washable, and a mesh top that opens completely from side to side, so your pet is very easy to access by either you or a vet with as little stress as possible — an important consideration when you think about how frightening at foreign setting can be for a cat. 

It's outfitted with two different handle carry options, a large storage compartment, and there's even a trolley pass slot on the back of the carrier, making it easy to tote this around on top of your suitcase, rather than lug your pet around on your shoulder (a cumbersome task that I've faced many times).

Get it from Chewy for $199.99 (available in four colors).

My cat loves to shimmy his little paws in between closed cabinet doors and the cupboard beneath my kitchen sink that houses toxic cleaning products. When I was shopping for a solution to this problem, I knew I wanted something easy to install, and I wasn't really a fan of those underside latches that might pinch my fingers. These adjustable latching locks are the perfect alternative, and here's how they work: on either side of the latch is a strong 3M adhesive and in between runs a flexible plastic strap that can be adjusted to be as short or as long as you want. Then, whenever you want to open your cabinet, you just pull and release the strap from the lock clip, then slide it back in when you're done. 

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $5.29+ (available in five colors and in other pack sizes).

If there's one thing Hank loves more than anything, it's jumping headfirst into my potted plants and playing in the soil, and this plastic netting has thankfully, so far, deterred him. Unlike traditional metal chicken wire, this stuff is far more flexible, soft and really easy to cut to the length that you need. Just place a few tall trellis sticks into the soil around the inner perimeter of your pot, wrap your length of netting on the outside of the sticks, then secure with zip ties and voilà.

Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in four colors and as a two-pack).

Obviously, you'll want to graduate your cat to taller and more elaborate scratching post trees as they get older, but this petite and affordable option by Amazon Basics proved to be a great interim that Hank still uses daily, despite having a full-sized one. He loves the two-tiered construction with a hammock underneath and the full bed on top. It's also the perfect kitten height that feels safe enough for him to climb, while doubling as a sort of stepping perch so he can get on top of the bed easier without having to jump straight up from the ground.

Get it from Amazon for $31.98+ (available in two colors and as a hammock).

One thing about most cats, and kittens, especially, is that they are constantly sharpening their claws to the point where I have to trim Hank's "paw knives" at least once a week for fear he'll turn into Edward Scissorhands. He even accidentally scratched his cornea while bathing himself, which warranted a very expensive trip to the ER. I've used these nail clippers on both of my cats and they've helped make what would normally be a very nerve-wracking process surprisingly easy and completely pain-free for all parties involved.

The blades are ergonomically shaped, so you can cut the nail properly from any angle, and I've never accidentally cut into the quick. I'll also say, starting this grooming process while your cat is young definitely makes it easier and less traumatic to do in the future because they'll be more used to it. 

This might not necessarily seem like a life-saving purchase, nor all that necessary, but I do think taking your cat outside in a stroller is good for their enrichment, and from experience, Hank loves being able to hear all the sounds and smell all the smells of the outdoors whenever we take him for a walk in his Roodo.

This three-wheeled pet pram is super lightweight and folds almost completely flat, so I can store it by my doorway without being too obtrusive. I like that it's almost entirely covered in mesh, giving your cat a near 360-degree view and you can either keep the zippered front fully closed or leave it open, while an inside attachment secures to your pet's harness if you choose to put one on them. 

Get it from Amazon for $96.98 (available in three colors).