Cat Supply Checklist – 8 Must Have Cat Care Essentials

Adopting a cat or kitten? There are a various things that you need to get and preparation you need to make before you can let this cute little pet grace your house with its presence. Just like any other animal, cats have certain needs that can be fulfilled through certain supplies. Stocking your home with these supplies will help you cat adjust more easily as it will feel more like a family member rather than outside.

You should make preparations at least two to three days before bringing your four-legged ball of joy home to save yourself the stress on the big day. Moreover, oftentimes in the anticipation of bringing a kitten or cat home, most people suddenly remember that they didn’t even buy cat food! Well, we’re here to ensure that you don’t end up being one of those people.

Here is a complete cat supply checklist for you to follow before bringing your kitten or cat home.

1. Food Supplies

Food is a basic necessity that you need to line up before anything else. If you have adopted a kitten, you can talk to their previous caregiver to find out what food it was getting before. It is best to stick to giving your newly-adopted cat food that it’s accustomed to. On the other hand, if you get a cat or kitten from a breeder, you can expect them to inform you about the kind of food that you should be feeding it.

If you aren’t fully aware of the background of your little fur baby, here are a few tips that can help you determine what you should feed it:

1.1 Food for Kittens

Kittens and adult cats have different nutritional requirements, given their situation. If you’re adopting a kitten, you should know that they require more proteins and fat compared to adult cats. When going for food shopping for your kitties, make sure to get foods that are labelled with “Complete and Balanced Nutrition.”

There are also many foods available that are especially made for kittens. These foods can be recognized by the words ‘nutrient-dense,’ ‘highly digestible,’ or ‘uniquely designed for kittens.’ While kittens above eight weeks can easily handle eating dry food, it is recommended that you feed them canned food.

1.2 Food for Adult Cats

Canned foods are generally better and more nutritious for cats. However, there are chances that the adult cat you’re adopt is used to consuming dry foods. So, you can purchase and keep any premium brand dry foods for your adult kitty. Eventually, remember to invest in canned foods to try and get your cat used to them.

2. Water and Food Bowls

You can feed your cat in any stainless steel or ceramic bowls that are lying in kitchen. However, it will be better to get your kitty its own dishes in the long run. It isn’t preferable to use plastic dishes for them as some kitties can end up developing a chin rash. Also, softer plastic gets scratched pretty easily, providing space for bacteria to grow.

There are a variety of non-tipping stainless steel bowls that you can purchase for your pet. Moreover, if you prefer buying decorated ceramic bowls, you need to ensure that they are made of lead-free glaze.

Another helpful choice are automatic water and food servers. This is great if you leave your pet alone at home for long periods. Since cats love fresh and pure running water, automatic dispensers provide a consistent supply of clean water.

3. Toys

Just like other pets, cats love to play. If you want to bond with your kitty, it will begin with by playing with your cat and its toys. There are many toys that encourage interactive play, making your kitty more active. You will need to ensure that the toy you get is sturdy enough and safe for your kitty to play with.

4. Grooming Tools

Even though you might consider taking your cat to the groomer, you should still buy and keep a few grooming tools at home to be on the safe side. Grooming time can actually be a pretty fun bonding time for you and your new cat or kitten. The grooming items you’ll need include a fine-toothed comb, a special nail clipper, and a rubber-backed pin brush. It might be kind of scary to clip your kitty’s nails, but you need to get them in the habit of that as soon as possible.

5. Cat Carrier

A cat carrier is another cat supply that is a must-buy. You shouldn’t ever try to transport a cat without one. You can use a simple cardboard carrier that is available at a vet’s clinic to bring your cute little pet home. However, eventually you will need to replace this with a tough plastic or solid-bottomed fiberglass carrier that comes with a secure latch and a screened opening. Moreover, if you prefer to take your kitty along on your travel journey, you should get a heavy-duty cloth carrier.

6. Scratching Post

Whether you agree with it or not, your kitty is going to scratch. Therefore, it is better that you prepare yourself beforehand by buying a scratching post. This post can either be really simple or fancy, depending on what you’re looking for. Moreover, if you’re handy with tools, then you can even assemble one by yourself. There are also many commercially-build scratching posts available in the market that have a pre-applied catnip scent to attract your kitty.

7. Litter Box

A litter box s another cat care essential that you will need for both indoor and outdoor cats. There are many options available when buying a litter box – open, closed, self-cleaning litter boxes, etc. You can choose any one depending on your kitty’s preference. One thing you need to ensure is that you invest in a sizable box for grown cats so that the litter doesn’t fall out of the box. On the other hand, kittens require low-sided boxes that allow them to enter easily. Also, there are various kinds of litter available, the safe being the plant-based kind. You can also opt for clumping clay litter, but it contains ingredients that can harm your cat if it is ingested by mistake.

Moreover, when buying a litter box, making sure to buy a mat as well to keep it under the box. This will prevent any dirt from spreading out and dirtying your floor.

8. A Bed

A bed isn’t a cat care essential, but it is highly recommended. While there are very high chances that your kitty will make its self comfortable on your bed, it’s still a good option to provide it with its own cozy place for napping. Make sure that the bed is comfortable, washable, and spacious enough for an adult cat to fit in.

Make sure tick off all the elements from this cat supply checklist!