Cat Essentials
Just like other animals, owning a cat has its responsibilities. And sometimes, cats can be a bit of a handful. Especially when you do not have all the things that your cat needs. It’s even scarier if you have no experience of owning any pets prior to this. Don’t worry though! If you are unsure of what to get, here are the cat essentials you would need to get before bringing your kitty back home.
1. Cat Crate
The first essential that you would need to get is definitely a crate suitable for your cat. Different breeds have different sizes. With that said, make sure that the crate is big enough for the cat breed that you are bringing home. If you are a first time pet owner, you might be unsure of the different types of cat breeds. Do your research beforehand!
Each cat breeds have unique characteristics and even their own needs. While generally, these are essentials that apply across the board, there are still certain dos and don’ts specific for certain breeds.
Getting a crate comfortable for your cat is extremely important! You don’t want your cat to feel uneasy and anxious in the crate. Keeping the cat in a stress inducing crate would make the introduction to your household harder.
2.Litter Boxes
Unlike dogs who need to be potty-trained, cats do not. While that is a perk, you are required to purchase litter boxes for your cat to do its business. Most cats are not required to be potty-trained. Instinctively, cats like to cover their waste to hide their scent. The litter boxes allow the cat to do so. In rare cases, some cats do need to be potty-trained. But in most cases when the cat missed the litter box, it is either by accident or it might be experiencing some health issues. In either case, monitor your cat’s behavior to spot for any anomalies.
There are different kinds of litter boxes. The one that is most used in households is the open litter box made from plastic containers. It’s the most affordable, and it works best. Though you would need to clean it regularly, it is generally the best option.
There are two kinds of this litter box; one with open lid and one with a closed lid. The open lid litter box is just like the usual litter boxes that most owners use. The close lid option however is designed to give your pet privacy. It also prevents any of the waste from falling out of the container. It also traps the odor within it’s closed lid. With its pros, comes to its cons. The closed lid litter box can be hard to clean due to its lid. It can also be more disgusting since it traps in all the odor and waste. And you might have more difficulty cleaning it then you do with the open lid option.
If you are not up for the hassle of cleaning your cat’s litter box, you can always consider the self-cleaning litter box. While some self-cleaning litter boxes have open or close lids, all of them have an automated rake built. The rake would scoop up the litter along with your cat’s waste into a container. All you need to do after is to simply throw the container out! With these said, this option can be expensive and the mechanics used in the machine might scare off your cat. Since it is machine-operated, it might also not be able to clean the litter than thoroughly as you do with your own hands. Don’t be surprised to be built up lumps of uncleaned waste in the box! Overtime, you would have to clean it still to ensure that there is no waste residue left in the box.
In any case, do your research beforehand and get one that you think works best for you and the cat!
3. Food
When it comes to food, it requires a little more work. Cat’s diet changes overtime. With this said, the owner has to figure out a new diet for their cat in each of its life stages.
To start off, ask the animal shelter what they have been feeding your cat. Feed your cat the same diet as the shelter. This would let your cat ease into its new home and owner. Stick to this diet for the first few weeks when your cat is still exploring its new surroundings. Once it’s adapted into its new home, you may consider experimenting with different foods. Dry food can be easier for your cat to chew. Canned food offers more water for your cat. So it all boils down to what your cat prefers.
Once your cat has found a diet that is suitable, keep to it! Don’t force the change of diet for your cat as it would only make it harder. With this said, the only time you would need to change its diet is when it grows older. Cats need specific diets designed for their age group. It is recommended to consult the animal shelter or your local veterinarian on what and when is best to change your cat’s diet.
4. Scratching Posts
Cats can be mischievous at times. It is not unknown that cats would often leave your furniture with scratch marks. Though it is not entirely their fault! Cats in general have the need to scratch. It is their way of leaving their scent to assert territory to a certain place. It is also their way of expressing emotions, be it stress or excitement. They may also scratch simply for the fun of it. In any case, scratching is part of cats’ built-in mechanism.
With these said, unless you want more of your furniture to be damaged, get a scratching post! A scratching post is designed for your cat to do all the scratching. When getting one, make sure the length of the post is tall enough for your cat to stretch and scratch. You should also consider cat proofing your house as well to prevent unnecessary damage.
5. Bed
Cats can fall asleep anywhere but nothing beats having a proper soft bed to sleep on! There isn’t much specification as to what bed you should get. As long as it’s comfortable and soft, it’ll work well for your cat. Another tip is to look out for your cat’s sleeping pattern. If your cat sleeps curling up, then getting a round bed would work well. If your cat sleeps with its body stretched out then you should get a mat for your cat.
6. Vet Contacts
An extremely crucial thing to do before getting a pet is to always be in contact with your local veterinarian. They are the ones you can go to during emergencies or if you have any worries. It’ll also save you the hassle of looking for a veterinarian during the emergency itself.
Getting in contact with the vet before getting the pet also gives you the opportunity to ask questions. Especially for first time owners, it’s not entirely surprising that sometimes we forget certain things. Going to the vet can help you with your plans. You can also enquire about vaccine injections or getting a health check up for your pet. A long time relationship with the vet can be incredibly helpful not only at the beginning. If you need anything when it comes to your cat down the line, you’ll at least have someone to look for.
7. Toys
Cats need attention, especially the active breeds who constantly need something to keep them distracted. Toys can help you with just that.
Generally, get two kinds of toys. One which allows you to bond with the cat. Another to keep your cat distracted whenever you are busy with something else. If you cat doesn’t get the energy output that it needs, it could be harmful to its mind and body on the long run.
Get toys like teasers where you can bond with your cat. It’s generally recommended playing with your cat at least twice a day. Apart from that, get a ball or a ribbon ball so that the cat can keep itself distracted while you work on some other things.
8. Collar
Every cat needs a collar. Especially if your cat is an untrained indoor cat, there is a risk of losing your cat when it accidentally runs out and not know how to come back. On the collar, your name and phone number should be there. Some even decided to put their address on it. You can even consider spending a bit more money to get your cat a microchip injection. This way, if your cat do get lost, animal shelters or adoption centers can identify your cat. It’s also recommended getting a collar that has an automatic release function if too much pressure is applied to it. This can keep your cat safe from any dangers that can cause your cat to suffocate. Also make sure that the collar isn’t too tight. The general rule is to fit two fingers under the collar. If it fits and has room, then it is perfect.
9. Stress Diffuser
Cats can get anxious even when you have all the preparations done. Sometimes, it takes time for the cat to get comfortable in the new environment. With these said, a pheromone diffuser could help the cat a lot! These diffuser are designed to calm down and relax cats that are in stress. Having one of these would be incredibly helpful, especially when introducing the cat to its new home.
There are various pheromone blends in the market. So do your research before purchasing! Go for the blend or brand that has the best reviews. Some other points to look for are availability. You would want to be able to refill your cartridges conveniently without much hassle.
