Buying Supplies For a New Cat

Once you bring your new cat home, you've got to scribble down a quick list of supplies to go pick up. Here are the basic items that you will need to help your new cat or kitten adjust to your home.

Litter Boxes

The very first item on your list of cat supplies will be a litter box. That's usually the second thing that a cat will look for after food when he or she arrives at a new house, but it is a first priority if you want to avoid an accident on your carpet. Most kittens learn how to use a litter box from their mothers, so once you have one, all you have to place your new cat in front of the box and allow him to inspect the area.

After a few months of scooping bad litter out of the box, you're probably going to start wondering if there is another way. Luckily, there are motorized products like the LitterMaid on the market that will automatically dispose of your cat's waste. Other litter boxes allow you to lift the cover, sift out the good litter, and trash the bad stuff.

If you have multiple cats, the general rule of thumb is that you should have one litter box to every two or three cats, depending on how finicky they are and how close the cats are to each other.

Cat Food

An experienced cat owner knows the difference between a cheap, filler cat food (also called "grocery store food"), and a premium cat food that is full of the nutrients that a cat needs to become and remain strong. Your vet will probably also explain this difference to you when you bring your new cat in for a checkup.

Many cheap cat foods are full of by-products like wheat and corn gluten. Excessive consumption of foods that contain a lot of these by-products are a major cause of health problems in cats down the line. So be sure that you are buying a premium or all natural cat food for your new kitty.

If you have a kitten, you must purchase a special food that is formulated for kittens. This is because a kitten has different dietary needs as compared to a full grown cat. Because they are still in the growth and development phase, kitten foods have more nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, water, and protein. Senior cat food is not that much different as compared to regular food, it may just have lower calories and protein. Check with your vet to see what formula is best for your cat.

Flea and Tick Preventative Medication

Many cat owners neglect the need to purchase flea and tick products to protect their cats. The news flash doesn't come through until the owner's home is overrun with fleas or other creepy pests! Head off this problem by getting the right cat supplies in advance.

In addition to flea collars, there are easy to use products that you can place on your cat's skin to kill fleas at the first bite. Revolution and Frontline are two popular and effective flea and tick preventative medicines.

If you ever have a problem with a flea infestation, you will also need to purchase a flea bomb and flea sprays for your home and the pets in order to fix the problem. Again, order these products and other similar flea and tick supplies ahead of time so that you can treat your cats as soon as there is a sign of a problem.

Cat Bed

If you don't buy a cat his or her own bed from a young age, his or her bed will likely be YOUR bed. Cats generally don't like to sleep on the floor (who does?) —they prefer to be elevated. It is an instinctual thing; they can oversee their surroundings and protect themselves from threats better when they are up off of the ground, especially when sleeping.

If there is anywhere a cat can sleep other than the ground, such as a chair, a table, or other elevated surface that is where he will go, so to avoid this habit get him a nice, comfortable regular or elevated cat bed.

Cat Toys

It's not a dire requirement that you buy your cat toys, but a cat owner who cares about the social behavior and activity level of his cat will understand that recreational items are more of a necessity than an option. A happy cat is active and curious. There are a variety of cat toys that your cat will love, and some that he or she will probably just sit and look at.

The best toys give your cat a sense of accomplishment. Cats like to conquer their "prey" in order to feel contented. A few popular toys are wands, danglers, and devices that make your cat go on the chase. Purchase plenty of toys to keep the cat occupied. You can also make homemade toys, like "catnip in a sock," run around your house with an iron cord hanging (it looks like a mouse to a cat) or dangle strings of yarn from doors.

Scratching Posts

Finally, if you like the way your couch looks now (you know, the non-shredded look) you will make room in your home for a scratching post. Cats need to stretch and sharpen their claws frequently, and they tend to do so on furniture and carpet. A scratching post will give your cat an alternative surface to dig his claws into. There are scratching posts that double as fun toys, like spinning posts that have dangling objects, or apparatuses with compartments that your cat can hide in (like a jungle gym).

You'll think of even more cat supplies to buy as you spend more time with your cat. Thankfully, cats are usually very low maintenance. Just place the items that they need in the home and they will take it from there. They play by themselves and sleep for the majority of the day. You'll know that they recognize and appreciate all that you do for them when you get an affectionate rub up against your leg or even better—a loving two-eyed wink from your cat!