The Most Beneficial Cat Supplies for Welcoming a New Kitten

So, you’re preparing yourself for a new addition to your family. Congratulations, over the next weeks, months and years, you’l experience many wonderful moments with your kitty. But in order to fully enjoy each other’s company, you need to prepare yourself and your home for the new feline roommate. Because adopting a new cat comes with a lot of challenges for both the owner and the animal, there are special cat supplies that can make everything much easier. Here’s a checklist of cat supplies that can benefit you the most.

Carrier

One of the first cat supplies new owners purchase is a carrier. A carrier is a must when it comes to transporting your new cat to your home. In addition, it will also come in handy for any future vet visits or travelling, but only on the road. When it comes to flying, you need an airline-approved carrier. If you think that there’s a chance that you’ll travel long distance with your cat, then a good option is to purchase an airline-aoorived carrier from the start.

Food

For the first days of your kitty’s arrival, try to use the same kind of food the breeder, shelter or pet store was feeding her. Eating the same food can feel comforting while the cat adjusts to the new surroundings. After a week, you can start to gradually introduce new kinds of food. What you feed your cat will depend on his age. Kittens need food that’s specially formulated to grow strong bones and muscles and to build their immune systems without exceeding the daily calorie count. When it comes to adult cats, you should try to introduce as many canned foods as possible as they are better for their digestion and teeth as opposed to a diet consisting of dry food only. Senior cats may also require a diet formulated specifically for them.

Food and Water Bowls

When it comes to food and water bowls, it’s not recommended to use plastics as it scratches easily and some cats can develop a chin rash from plastic. A much better option is anything ceramic (non-lead-glazed) or stainless steel. There are a number of non-tip stainless steel bowls available at stores selling cat supplies. Automatic food and water bowls are especially useful if you tend to be away at long periods of time, like for instance at work. They can be scheduled to provide the animal with its daily meals.

Identification

Even if you plan for your new pet to live indoors exclusively, cats are curious creatures and will wander off whenever they’re given the chance. While most of them do return eventually, a kitty that’s not used to the neighbourhood can easily become lost. To prevent this heartbreaking situation, it’s important to equip your kitten with some kind of identification device.
Many cat owners prefer collars with ID tags as a form of identifying their cat as it doesn’t involve an invasive procedure as microchips do. Although there are many colours and materials to choose from when it comes to cat collars, it’s important to focus on the safety features. With that being said, a breakaway feature is the most essential thing to look for. If the cat’s collar gets caught in something like a branch, this type of collar can allow it to escape from the object holding it, rather than remain stuck or choke. In addition, the collar should have an adjustable size so that it can be tweaked to suit your growing cat.
As cat collars are often uncomfortable for the animal to get used to, some owners prefer microchips. A veterinarian will inject the microchip under the surface of the cat’s skin, between its shoulder blades. The microchip will contain a unique ID code that contains your contact information. So, in the case that your cat is lost, the microchip can be scanned to provide the rescuers with the necessary information.

Toys and Scratching Posts

If they aren’t sleeping, cats spend their time playing and goofing around. So, make sure to provide plenty of outlets for their playful nature or your furniture and curtains may suffer. A fishing pole kind of toy can be great for interactive play and bonding with your pet. Toys with pouches to place catnip in are often favourites. Climbing posts and scratching posts can allow the pet to exercise their natural skills and instincts.

Litter Box

Choosing a litter box is a must if you’re caring for an indoor cat. Small kittens need a litter box that is low enough for them to climb easily. Once your cat is grown, look for a box with high sides to prevent her from throwing the litter around. As for the litter, the plant-based options are often the safest. Clumping clay litter contains an ingredient that can be harmful when ingested, plus clay tends to stir up dust which isn’t safe to breathe.

Grooming Tools

Grooming time is ideal for bonding more with your new cat. It also helps keep it clean and happy. Look for a soft pin brush or a fine-toothed comb that your kitty will love to be combed with. A nail clipper designed for cats is also a must as cats with overgrown nails can easily get hurt (not to mention try to chip their nails off using your furniture). If you start clipping your kitty’s nails early on, you will have less problems when she’s grown.