What Supplies Do You Have to Have When Caring for a Cat?

Bringing home a cat means taking on responsibility for the health and well-being of that cat. The cat depends on you to bring it the items it needs for health and mental well being. With thousands of cat items on the market, sorting out what the cat needs can be a challenge. Some items are an absolute must, others are useful and others might not be used by your cat.

  1. Feeding

    • You need bowls for water and cat food. Special bowls made from plastic or metal are available from big box retailers and pet supply shops, or you can use clean plastic bowls. If the bowls are too light, the cat might knock them over. Buy cat food in advance for your new cat. Treats aren't necessary, but can be given to the cat. Treats are useful for training and teaching the cat to come when you call its name. A cat should have access to clean drinking water at all times. Make sure the drinking bowl is full and wash it every day.

    Hygiene

    • To keep your cat feeling and looking good, plan on spending some money on hygiene items. A brush will help your cat's coat stay tangle free. Brush your cat every day. Also buy a litter box and cat litter. The litter box will need to be cleaned every day. Purchase a scoop to remove animal waste. Put the litter box in the same space and leave it there. Litter boxes are often plastic, but sometimes metal and are available from pet supply and big box retail stores. Cat litter comes in more than one variety. Some types of cat litter are made to clump together around waste to make cleaning the box easier. The materials that the cat litter are made from vary as well from crystal based, silica, plant based and the traditional clay based. The clay based is usually cheapest while the plant based is biodegradable and better for the environment. Most cats have a preference so if your cat does not use the litter box, try changing the litter.

    Comfort

    • A cat bed is a cushion for the cat to sleep or rest on somewhere in the house. Specialty cat beds are expensive, but are also more durable. You can use an old pillow instead. or you can make a cushion with stuffing and fabric. A scratching post will help your cat deal with urges to scratch without ruining your furniture. Scratching posts can be vertical or horizontal. The vertical posts are good for cats that like to pull up and scratch down while the horizontal posts help cats that like to stretch out and scratch. Your cat will make its preference clear. Posts can be made from materials like carpet scraps, wood or cardboard.

    Other

    • Cat toys are also not necessary, but will keep your new pet entertained. Cats like to play with small fake mice and toys that move and bounce like balls and strings. If you're on a low budget, even an old shoe string can be a fun cat toy. Purchase a break-away collar with a tag for your cat if it will be an indoor/outdoor cat. It is better to keep your cat indoors for a variety of reasons. Indoor cats have a life expectancy of 18 to 22 years, while indoor/outdoor cats live only eight to ten years. A strictly outdoor cat can expect to live two to five years. A tag with your cat's name and your name and contact information are vital in case your pet gets lost. Topically applied flea and tick protection is also a must.