You’ve just brought a new kitten—or possibly a full-grown cat—into your home. Get ready for the little one to tear through your house, chasing who knows what. Expect to have someone follow you around, especially at feeding time. If it’s a kitten, it may even trail at your feet, even when you go to the bathroom! Cats develop a devoted love for those who feed them and treat them well.
If this is your first feline friend, you might be wondering, “What do I buy for this cat?” Here are some essential supplies every cat owner should have.
Cat Food
The basics for any living creature, after shelter, are food and water. The first set of supplies you’ll need for your cat is a bag of cat food and two bowls—one for water and the other for dry food. You may also want to purchase an additional bowl for wet (canned) food.
Here’s a little story. When I took in my first kitten back in 2000, I was nervous and unsure. I didn’t know if he would like me, hurt me, or even steal my breath in my sleep (as some old wives’ tales say). He was found in a bush with his siblings—someone picked them up and left them at the front of a local store to give away. When I saw the tiny yellow kittens, my heart melted. I picked up the first one, but it swatted at me, so I put it down. No thanks! Then I picked up the next one, who quietly curled up in my arms. This was the one, and I thank God for that choice. I named him Rome.
When I went to the store to buy Rome’s first bag of cat food, I went to the supermarket—not a pet store. I picked up a brand I recognized from commercials. It was cheap, about $8 for a large bag, and Rome liked it. But little did I know that the food could cost much more than the $8 I spent.
When I took Rome to the vet for a checkup, the vet asked what I was feeding him. When I told him the brand, he gasped and scolded me. He explained that cheap foods often contain fillers, preservatives, by-products, and magnesium, which can lead to crystals in the cat’s urine. Over time, feeding this cheap food would eventually harm my cat’s health. That was all I needed to hear. I love my Rome, and I wasn’t about to feed him something harmful, even if it meant spending $30 for a bag of Hill’s Science Diet. The vet gave me a sample, and Rome loved it.
Some might think the vet was just trying to sell me his stock of Science Diet, but it turned out he was right. Soon after switching, Rome’s coat became glossy, his eyes brighter, and his energy soared. Therefore, I recommend that any good cat owner prioritize quality food over price. Some pet owners swear by natural foods, which can be found in specialized stores carrying hard-to-find supplies.
Litter Box and Litter
On the same day you buy your cat food, you’ll need a litter box and litter as well. After all, what goes in must come out, and you don’t want that happening on your carpet. Most cats are instinctively trained by their mothers to use a litter box or some other place where they can cover their mess. If they don’t have a litter box, they’ll likely find a discreet corner of your house—maybe even your shoe.
There are many types of litter available: crystals, rocks, sand, etc. Personally, I prefer sand because it’s easy to scoop and doesn’t hurt their feet like rocks or crystals. I also find sand minimizes odor. It’s a good idea to buy litter in bulk (30 to 40-pound buckets) to save time and money. A tip: use empty litter buckets to consolidate and dispose of waste.
Litter boxes come with or without covers. If you don’t want your house smelling like a litter box, opt for a covered one to contain the odor. The Litter Maid is a newer, albeit expensive, product that automatically cleans the litter box at a designated time. It’s perfect for forgetful owners.
Cat Toys
Once you’ve covered the basics—food and shelter—it’s time for entertainment. Just as we love television and computers, cats need something to keep them entertained between meals and naps.
I’ve tried various cat toys, from rubber duck-like squeezable toys to electronic mice that move when touched. From my experience, the best toys that actually grab a cat’s attention are those that dangle from a string and make noise, balls of string (or just balls), and circular tubes with bells and catnip inside. Carpeted cat “homes” with compartments for climbing are also very popular.
That said, everyday household items often make the best toys. Across my extended family, we have six cats, and each of them loves the following:
- Cardboard boxes – Cats love jumping inside and hiding. Who knows why, but they do!
- Wrapping paper – Cats go wild when there’s wrapping paper on the floor. Any crinkly paper or plastic works too.
- Water bottle twisty ties – Cats enjoy pawing at and chasing these plastic ties, sometimes for hours, until they’re lost under a dresser.
- Cords – Cats will happily chase the plug of an iron as if it’s a mouse.
Once you have these basic supplies, you can start thinking about other items, like a cat bed, nail clippers, and flea collars or medication. In the meantime, trial and error is often the best approach when deciding what’s best for your kitty.
