Pet Supplies
Pet supplies for a new cat
You’ve decided to adopt a cat (or kitten) for the first time, and you must be wondering what is required when owning a cat. You most likely know the basic supplies required for a cat such as: a litterbox, food, toys, bedding, and collars. However, there are so many different sizes, colours, and options, it can be overwhelming.
Finding and buying cat supplies online (or in store) should be simple enough that you don’t spend hours researching the differences between a small colourful plastic food bowl and a fountain that shoots water out of a flower. In the next few sections, we will briefly go through the most common supplies needed when getting a cat that can be purchased online and sometimes in the store.
Food and Water
Food and water are the most important items to add to your supply list for your pet, besides litter. There are 2 main types of food options you can go for: Dry and canned food. There is also Semi-moist, however there is evidence that the preservatives in semi-moist is harmful to pets. Each type offers their benefits but most importantly, it must be animal based. Cats are carnivores and survive off hunted prey. Feeding your cat vegetable-based food will most likely starve your cat of the nutrients they require; you may notice that your cat will not have any energy on this diet.
All these options are usually available online as well as in-store, however the sizes offered may not be the same between the two. I’ve noticed that if you want the larger bags of dry food, you need to go to the store.
Dry Food
Dry food is usually the most cost-effective option as it is normally available in larger quantities and does not expire as quickly when opened. Since this type of food has very low moisture content, make sure there is a lot of water available. With our cats (Salsa and Taco) we use a couple food bowls with a reservoir that can hold 4-5 days of food in each.
Canned Food
Canned food will most likely be the favourite type for your cat, it is full of flavour and moisture. Cats normally hydrate from their food, so the moisture content of canned food will really help them stay hydrated. In the mornings, we feed a small amount to Salsa and Taco for breakfast…they start screaming in excitement when they realize we are preparing it.
Water
When it comes to water, usually the only decision is what type of container you should use. Basically, there are bowls and fountains. Depending on your cat’s behaviour, the water should be placed some distance away from the food, so the food doesn’t get wet. We had more than one occasion where we found food in the water before we decided to get a fountain instead. We give our cats filtered water since we drink filtered water at home because our tap water doesn’t taste great.
Bowl
Bowls are the most convenient option and usually the cheapest. They are a good beginner’s solution for water. One downside to using bowls is having to refill it often, another is that your cat may not use it often as it is still water. There are bowls with reservoirs that refill as the cat drinks, which is a good option if you don’t want to refill a small bowl everyday.
Fountain
Fountains are great for getting your cat to drink more water, as they are usually attracted to running water. Fountains usually have a large reservoir, allowing you to fill it every few days. There may also be a basic filter to catch hair and other larger objects, so your cat doesn’t ingest them. Fountains are usually more expensive and require a power source, so having an ideal location might be harder to find. Our cats started drinking more water when we got a fountain… they also spend a lot of time just watching the water shoot out of the flower, which is pretty cute.
Items
Toys
Cats love to play, and you will love that your cat has something to play with that is not your pillows, socks or furniture. There are loads of toys to choose from, each of different sizes, shapes, types, with or without catnip, the options are limitless. It is not recommended using a child’s toy.
When selecting a toy, you will need to keep in mind of the size of your cat. If the toy is too big, your cat will struggle to carrying or play with it, and that may make the cat feel like it is not successful in their “hunt”. Toys should scale up with your cat as they grow. Apart from the size, it is important to buy products labeled for pets as they will normally not have small pieces that may detach and become ingested and they are most likely made from pet-safe materials. When our babies were really small, we bought a couple small turtles (about 2-3 inches big) that came with a tube of catnip that could be put inside. We didn’t bother with the catnip since the kittens loved them at first sight.
Bedding
You will find out that no matter what you get, your cat is going to take over your house and use what they want to sleep in/on (Shoes, coats, pants, pillows, couches, carboard boxes and anything else they can fit in). However, it is good to have a designated space where your cat can sleep undisturbed. Regarding bedding, there are tons of options ranging from a folded blanket to heated beds or hammocks. Usually, your cat will use all options available as they feel over time.
If all types of beds were listed here, it would take over an hour to read this section. Regarding the type of bed, the thing you will need to really pay attention to is if it’ll be safe for your cat at its current stage in life. If you have a small kitten for example, perhaps getting a hammock that sits in a cat tree is not the best option as the kitten could fall and hurt themselves. It is best to get something that is safe and can be placed in a safe place also. We use some soft blankets, and we have a small cat tree we built so they have a place high up.
Litterbox
The most fun activity of owning a cat, cleaning up their poop! There are several types of litter boxes to suit pet owners’ needs. Even if you will be allowing your cat to roam the outdoors as they wish, there will be times when they will need to do their business while they are inside. You have your basic pan, covered pan, semi-automatic, and automatic. Apart from Food and water, this is the most essential pet supply.
Aside from the type of litterbox, the size and ease of accessibility is also important. If you are adopting a small kitten, make sure that they can enter and exit the litterbox easily. We used a small step for the outside and more litter on the inside so Taco and Salsa could get around easier without having to get a small and a large litterbox. We opted for a covered one since you can always remove the top if they feel uncomfortable. We had to remove the doors as Salsa was scared of the door.
Basic Pan
As the title says, this is a basic pan. There is no top and it can be accessed from all sides. These types of litterboxes are fine for kittens and cats that do not kick litter everywhere or who do not have bad aim when doing their business. Our kitten Salsa sometimes gets into these crazy moods and will think the freshly cleaned litterbox is a sandbox… she will then proceed to throw litter all over the place. The mess is smaller with a cover but there is still always a mess…
Covered Pan
This type of litterbox is like the basic pan, but it comes with a top so it can feel like a cave for your cat to go and do its business. These usually come with removable doors and a vent to control odours. This style is better at containing the litter. This is a great starting point since you can just remove the top if you feel that your new cat is hesitant in going inside the litterbox.
Semi-Automatic
These types of boxes allow you to empty the box with ease and without the use of a scoop. Some models just need tipping, others have a screen that can be lifted. These models facilitate cleaning which may save you time. These litterboxes are usually more expensive than the covered or basic pans.
Automatic
These litterboxes have a sensor that will automatically relocate the cats waste into a separate compartment, removing the need to go to the litter everyday and clean it. That may be a good option if you plan to have many cats, however you may not be able to inspect the poop to determine your cat’s health.
Litter
Like most pet supplies, there are also several types of litter to choose from. The two most common types are sand (clumping) and crystal. Most of the litter you’ll find in the market will have odor eliminating properties and will have a nice scent to keep your living space from smelling like poop. With Salsa and Taco, there is no litter available that can mask their poops, sometimes we fear the paint will start peeling from the intensity. We use the clumping sand since it’s cheaper and more readily available.
Sand (Clumping)
This is the most common litter type. You will find many brands and variants of this type of litter, ranging from odour eliminating, scented to lightweight. This is usually the least expensive option and is suitable for most situations, however it can be dusty.
Crystal
Crystal litter is a more expensive option but great if you do not want dust coming from the litterbox. If you plan on de-clawing your cat, your vet will most likely recommend the use of crystal litter to prevent dust from getting in the wounds while healing from the operation.
Identification
It is always a good idea to attach identification to your cat (whether they are indoor or outdoor). In the case of them getting lost, you will have some piece of mind that when your cat if found, your information will be there. It’s best to have both a microchip and a collar.
Collars
Collars tend to be cheaper than microchips…by a lot. This is still better than not having your information there. With a tag, you can have your contact information as well as the vaccine information (such as rabies). This is a good cost-effective way of ensuring someone knows who to call when they find your cat. What is nice, is that you can simply order these online if you do not want to go to the pet supply store.
The type of collar is important, if you get a classic type of collar there is no way for your cat to escape if the collar hooks onto something…especially in a dangerous situation. Today, there are collars with quick releases, or made of elastic material which are safer for your cat.
Microchips
Microchips are much more expensive than collars, however they offer other benefits. With a microchip, your cat can be scanned at any vet and it will show the owners information. If your pet gets lost, a person can bring the cat to the vet and they will be able to contact you. Microchips cannot fall off or be removed and they pose no health risk to your cat, so they are a good idea. Depending on where you live, microchipping may be required by law. When we got our cats, the shelter had already installed the microchip since it was required.
Accessories
Apart from the supplies mentioned above, there are still a few other things to consider getting when getting a cat that I will list below. I will keep the information brief as there is not much to say about these.
Dental
There are options for cleaning cat’s teeth, ranging from specialized food to toothbrushes. This may not be necessary unless you notice changes in their teeth.
Nail Clippers
Cats like to scratch to sharpen their nails, and it becomes very destructive when the nails are long and sharp. Get a pair of clippers that are designed for cats as they are safer for them.
Brushes
Purchase a pet brush to remove any loose fur on your cat. Cat’s clean themselves often and ingest loose hairs, leading to throwing up hairballs more frequently.
Soaps and Shampoos
Normally, you will not be cleaning your cat as they do it on their own all the time. However, there may be times where they go some where they shouldn’t be and require a deeper clean.
Carriers
When you are transporting your cat, they should be in a hard plastic carrier. When we travel, we place seatbelts over the carrier, so it doesn’t bounce around if we get into an accident. This will protect your cat and help them feel safe during rides.
First Aid Kit
It is always handy to have medical supplies when a situation arrives. Usually, you will not be able to go to the vet immediately when a crisis happens and there may not be any pet hospitals around.
Conclusion
Getting a cat or kitten is an exciting time for you and everyone else involved! The number of supplies may seem overwhelming at first, but when some items are listed, it is easier to manage. Hopefully, this article was helpful to you and it’ll be easier deciding what you need for your new family member.