BY JANELLE LEESON
Irina Ozhigova / Stocksy
It’s simple to get carried away when procuring on your new cat. Or to really feel overwhelmed and never know the place to begin. Naturally, you need to welcome your new member of the family residence with the whole lot they want. If you happen to’re bringing residence a brand new cat otherwise you’re contemplating adopting a cat, right here’s the whole lot it’s essential purchase to be ready.
Begin with this new cat necessities guidelines with all of the cat requirements: meals and water bowls, a litter field and litter, a scratching publish, bedding, a provider, meals, toys, a collar and ID tag, grooming provides, and cleansing provides.
How ought to I plan and put together for my new cat?
Quite a lot of cat consultants recommend getting ready everybody within the household for the duties of cat care. You’ll additionally need to arrange a cat-friendly surroundings earlier than a single toe bean ever enters the home. Designate a quiet area on your cat to step by step acclimate, set up a constant routine, and prioritize common veterinary checkups.
The benefit of organising your property on your cat earlier than they arrive is guaranteeing a snug and secure area on your kitty, in addition to establishing clear roles and duties for everybody else. All in all, somewhat prep will make the transition from the shelter to your property a easy one.
To organize your property and household for a brand new cat:
- Designate roles and duties: Contemplate the whole lot from cat care to meals and litter field duties.
- Set home guidelines: Ought to the cat be allowed within the bed room at night time?
- Create a routine: Contemplate how typically and when your cat can be fed.
- Put together your cat’s secure area: The room must be a small, quiet room with important provides. They’ll keep on this room in the course of the acclimation part and will have entry to the room as they proceed settling in.
- Cat-proof your property: Defend your pet from potential hazards and safe breakable gadgets.
- Store for important provides: Discover what to purchase for a brand new cat under.
- Select a veterinarian: Your new cat requires a check-up quickly after coming residence.
- Put together different pets: If relevant, get able to introduce your canine to your new cat by working towards frequent coaching cues, reminiscent of sit, keep, and depart it.
What do it’s essential purchase when bringing residence a cat?
Generally, it’s sensible to evaluate your cat’s preferences earlier than sinking an excessive amount of cash into each standard mattress, toy, tower, and deal with. We’ve narrowed down this record of cat necessities for brand spanking new pet mother and father, so that you’ll have the whole lot prepared on your cat’s arrival, somewhat than leaving you with extra cat provides than you or your cat know what to do with.
Meals and water bowls
If you happen to’re adopting a couple of cat or including one other one to your clower, every cat ought to have their very own meals bowl. Chrome steel, ceramic, or glass bowls are usually best to wash. Cats also needs to at all times have entry to wash, contemporary water. You may even take into account getting a cat water fountain, because the filters maintain water brisker for longer than a conventional bowl.
Litter containers and litter
You’ll want one litter field per cat, plus an additional one. Place the containers in quiet, simply accessible spots away from their meals, water, and areas with excessive site visitors or startling noises. Kittens and seniors are likely to do greatest with low-entry litter containers, and on the whole, cats ought to have the ability to comfortably flip round contained in the litter field with out touching the perimeters. As for the most effective cat litter, go for a sand-like consistency with out added perfumes, as these are usually feline-friendly qualities.
Cat provider
A cushty and safe cat provider is a must have for bringing your cat residence from the shelter and any future outings, reminiscent of routine vet visits. Carriers are available in each soft-sided and hard-sided choices, and they need to present a stability of privateness and air flow. If you happen to plan to journey by aircraft together with your cat, search for an airline-approved cat provider.
Scratching publish
Cats’ scratching preferences can fluctuate; some desire vertical scratching surfaces, whereas others go for horizontal ones. And the kind of materials issues too–some cats love the texture of sisal, whereas others desire to sink their claws into carpet or cardboard. Whenever you’re undecided what your cat likes, you can begin by providing a budget-friendly multi-surface scratcher or a corrugated cardboard one. Both approach, providing your cat a number of acceptable locations to scratch will save your furnishings, flooring, and mattress from potential harm.
Cat Mattress
Present your cat with a comfy place to relaxation. As a result of the transition from shelter to residence could be a little overwhelming and scary for some cats, take into account an enclosed mattress reminiscent of a cat tent, cave, or cubby.
Collar and identification tag
The commonest forms of pet identification are microchips and a collar with an ID tag. Each work hand-in-hand to make sure your cat’s secure return in the event that they ever get lost. Most shelters and rescues ship newly adopted cats residence with an implanted microchip. This tiny chip is inserted below the pores and skin and, when scanned, populates pet mum or dad data that helps reunite misplaced cats with their households.
Whereas microchips are essential, collars and tags supply quick identification. Breakaway collars will unclip from themselves if snagged, providing an additional layer of security. Make sure the tag contains your cat’s title and your cellphone quantity.
Grooming provides
Even for short-haired cats, weekly brushing reduces shedding and hairballs whereas offering a bonding alternative. It’s a good suggestion to maintain up on clipping your cat’s nails too. To make sure grooming is a optimistic expertise, reward your cat with a high-value deal with after every session.
Cleansing provides
Accidents are certain to occur, and once they do, you’ll be glad to have the most effective cleaners for pet messes available. Enzymatic pet cleaners are your greatest guess as a result of they break down uric acid in pet urine to remove odors, somewhat than cowl them up.
Toys
Having a couple of toys available is a good suggestion as a result of cats require not less than half-hour of each day play. Kicker toys are nice for getting out pent-up power, plus some cats discover consolation in licking those who comprise catnip. Consultants additionally advocate wand toys for constructing bonds with new or shy cats. Simply keep in mind to retailer them safely after every session to keep away from string-related hazards. When you’re nonetheless discovering what your new cat enjoys taking part in with, attempt a couple of DIY or free cat toys.
What do it’s essential purchase when bringing residence a brand new kitten?
Buying provides for a kitten isn’t all that totally different from the provides for an grownup cat. That mentioned, there are a couple of key variations in cat provides made for adults, seniors, and kittens. Right here’s what to remember when searching for a brand new kitten:
- Low-entry litter field: Kittens have brief legs and wish a litter field with a low entrance for straightforward entry. The identical will be mentioned for senior cats who could have arthritis.Â
- Straightforward-to-access meals and water bowls: Go for bowls which might be shallow sufficient for kittens to comfortably eat and drink with out straining their necks.Â
- Scratching posts and climbing constructions: Kittens are usually extra curious and have extra power than grownup cats. Present them with secure and stimulating climbing constructions, reminiscent of cat timber or cabinets, to train and discover their environment safely. Whereas they could want extra choices for climbing and scratching, kittens and grownup cats can usually use the identical furnishings.Â
- Kitten meals: Cat meals is formulated to satisfy the precise dietary wants of cats at totally different phases of life. Kittens, as an illustration, should eat meals labeled as kitten meals for development or all life phases meals. These meals comprise all of the vitamins kittens require to develop into wholesome adults. As soon as your kitten reaches maturity, round a 12 months previous, swap to grownup cat meals formulated for upkeep. When you’ve got any questions on what meals to feed your cat, how a lot, or how typically, seek the advice of your veterinarian.
What toys are acceptable for a brand new kitten?
When buying toys for a brand new kitten, take into account ones that encourage your kitten to stalk and pounce, reminiscent of wand toys with feathers. They’re not solely enjoyable on your kitten, but additionally assist construct a bond between you and them. Like grownup cats, kittens additionally take pleasure in toys they’ll bat round on their very own, reminiscent of toy mice. And catnip-filled toys are nice for kicking.
Security tip: When selecting kitten-appropriate toys, keep away from something with small components reminiscent of buttons, that may very well be a choking hazard. After play periods, safely retailer any toys with strings that might pose a hazard.
FAQs (Individuals additionally ask):
What ought to I do to cat-proof my residence?
When making your property extra cat-friendly, you’ll need to defend your cat from hazards and your belongings from harm. Cowl electrical cords, cables, and cellphone chargers to stop your cat from chewing on them, which might result in critical harm. Preserve cabinets, particularly these containing cleansing provides and drugs, securely locked. Preserve a watch out for different hazards, too, reminiscent of dropped drugs or sharp objects, and transfer poisonous vegetation out of the home or out of attain. Need to redirect damaging behaviors reminiscent of scratching the furnishings? Present loads of toys, scratching surfaces, climbing constructions, and hiding spots.
Ought to I’ve pet insurance coverage earlier than bringing residence my new cat?
Buying a pet insurance coverage plan as quickly as potential may very well be a wise transfer. Simply as you may want medical health insurance earlier than you get sick, the identical goes on your cat.
When ought to I take my new cat to the vet for the primary time?
Even when your new cat comes with a clear invoice of well being and all their pictures, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to get them checked out by a vet quickly after adoption. It’s an opportunity to ask new cat-parent questions, get acquainted with the clinic, and set up a relationship together with your veterinarian. If you happen to’re adopting a kitten somewhat than an grownup cat, you’ll be seeing the vet very often after adoption as a result of they’ll want a sequence of vaccinations over the following few weeks and months.
Janelle Leeson is a Portland, Oregon-based freelance author. Her work has been featured in magazines reminiscent of Inside Your Canine’s Thoughts, Inside Your Cat’s Thoughts, and Paw Print, as properly on-line at Insider Evaluations, NBC Choose, Store At present, PetMD, and Every day Paws. She has two journey cats, a flock of city chickens, and a soon-to-be-husband who doesn’t thoughts housing the occasional foster cat — or 5
