You’ve decided to bring home a kitten from your local shelter. You have no idea what you’re doing, but it seems like everyone else who owns one has the whole thing down to an art, this isn’t something you should have to research too hard, right?
If you plan on giving your new feline friend the best possible start in life, though, then you need to follow these rules when you shop for cat supplies. These things will help your new friend adjust to their new environment, as well as help prevent health and behavioral problems later on down the line.
Cat brush
Brush your cat’s fur at least twice a week. It will keep them healthy and reduce the amount of hair around your house. Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity for bonding with your pet. You can find brushes in the pet aisle of most stores or online.
Nail clippers
Nail clippers are essential for keeping your kitten’s claws trimmed. There is a wide variety of nail clippers on the market, from basic scissors-style clippers to more expensive electric nail trimmers. With any type of clipper, it is important to make sure that you get your kitten used to having its paws handled and nails cut as soon as possible. You can start by gently touching her paws and then slowly and gently trimming her nails if she doesn’t mind too much.
Litter box
A litter box is probably the most important thing you will need. It should be large enough for your kitten and have low sides so it’s easy for him or her to climb in and out of. The best ones are covered, with a door that swings open from either side so you can clean them more easily. There are many types of litters on the market, but we find that clay or clumping litters work best because they last longer between changes and require less effort to scoop out solid waste.
Treats
You’ll need some treats for your new kitten, especially if you’re trying to teach them how to use the litter box. This can be as simple as catnip, small pieces of wet food, or anything else they find tasty.
You’ll also want some toys that they can bat around or chew on. If you don’t have any toys lying around the house, you can usually find them in pet stores or on Amazon.
Litter is another must-have for any new cat owner, and you mustn’t just buy the cheapest kind because it’s tempting to do so! Make sure you get one with good clumping power and handles odor well; this will make cleaning up easier and keep your home smelling fresh.
Scratchers
Bringing home a new kitten can be overwhelming, there are so many choices and you want to make sure you’re getting the right things. Your new kitten will have their claws and they need something they can use them on.
There are lots of options out there from carpeted posts with sisal rope around the edges, tall posts with different surfaces, or even cardboard scratching pads.
Bowls
Bowls are something all kittens need, and different types are better for certain situations. If you want to feed your kitten wet food, you’ll want a shallow bowl with low sides so they can easily eat out of it.
For dry food, you’ll need a deep dish that has high sides so the food doesn’t fall out when they eat. Depending on the size of your kitten, you might also want bowls that come in different sizes depending on how much food they get each day.
Collar
You must purchase the right size collar for your kitten. It should be snug enough to prevent slipping but not too tight. If it’s too tight, the cat could have breathing problems because of pressure on its trachea and esophagus. Too loose and the collar could fall off or get caught on something, causing injury or strangling. The sizing is usually based on the weight of your pet, so when in doubt, go up a size as they grow quickly!
Harness
A harness attaches your kitten’s front legs, making it easier for you to control them. Make sure it is adjustable so the harness will grow with your pet. A leash helps you keep better control of your cat while outside and, like the harness, should be adjustable so it can grow with your animal. Your pet will need a collar and identification tag in case they get lost or escape from home.
Beds
Beds are one of the most important things you’ll need to buy when you first bring home your new kitten. They’re also one of the things that can be the most difficult to find, depending on what size your new kitty is. If they’re still very small, they’ll need something soft and cuddly but if they’re larger than average, they might like the feeling of being surrounded by something more solid or with some kind of barrier around them.
Whatever bed you decide on getting for your new pet, it must be big enough for their current size as well as their expected adult size so that you don’t have to keep buying them new beds as time goes by.
Mats
Cats love climbing and scratching, so it is important to provide them with plenty of options. All cats should have at least one place they can climb, jump or scratch. This will help keep your cat entertained and help it learn how to use its claws in appropriate ways.
Some cats might want additional places for playing or scratching. The rule of thumb is one per every two square feet of space in your house if you want your kitty to be happy and healthy!
Conclusion
We hope you found this list helpful! Cats are wonderful and rewarding pets. We love seeing these little fuzzballs running around and watching them chase after our toes with their claws outstretched. But before you bring home your new feline, make sure you have the necessary items on hand for them. They deserve nothing less than the best, and so do you.
