Looking After Your Cat : Getting Started
- mhyu82
- Sep 25, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 30, 2023
So, you have done your research and finally decided. You are starting to get excited and thinking about what your puss will need.
A cat carrier
If you have other pets or small children, a soft crate is a good idea. They are comfortable and versatile with many zips. They can be a safe space for a cat to sleep in if they get overwhelmed.
They are comfortable and flexible. Most have a variety of zips which can be opened and closed depending on the situation. They also fold flat for storage.
This one is a good price
Buy Now
There are several types of hard carriers with a handle. These are safer if you plan on travelling with your cat. If there were an accident, a hard carrier will give your cat an extra layer of safely.
This one is medium in size and a good price.
Buy Now
Water bowls and food bowls
A heavy water bowl is a good idea, so it can't get knocked over. My cats like playing with water . Food bowls need to be slightly shallow and wide enough, so the cat's whiskers do not get caught up in it. Whiskers are very sensitive.
Cat food
This is a minefield. Some people prefer to feed just dry food. Cat's do drink a lot of water with this diet. Other people prefer to feed wet food as they feel it is better for their pet. That includes me.
Cats do tend to have preferences if they are given a variety. Loki is a biscuit monster and will only eat wet food once a day. Luna also likes biscuits, but she also really likes fish.
There is also the raw food diet. I have never tried it but some people swear by it.
You will need to decide whether you are going to feed your cat on demand, or whether to stick to two meals a day (three for kittens up to one year.) Personally, I prefer to feed on demand as only they know when they are hungry and I've never had an obese cat. Do keep an eye on your cat's weight however. An overweight cat won't be a happy cat and it's bad for their joints.
Cats are notorious for not drinking enough water and can get cytitis later in life and kidney damage. A good water fountian can really help as cats tend to prefer running water.
A litter tray and cat litter
Even if your cat is allowed out, a litter tray is a good idea if you don't have a cat flap. Just incase they get caught short. There's clumping and none clumping litter. I prefer clumping although some can be dusty. It's worth trying a few different ones. Litter trays vary too. I use the ones with a lid and a cat flap. They do vary and some are quite clever, such as 'clean litter boxes.' I do not have any experience with them though. I also recommend cat litter mats. Cats tend to get litter stuck between their toes and you end up with a trail.
After trying out lots of different cat litter types and brands. I have found these two the best
1. Cat's Best Clumping Pellets 30 litre. The least messy and dust free
Buy Now
I would also recommend a litter mat. This one works well with the pellets
Buy Now
2. Benek Clumping Corn Litter 24kg.
Buy Now
This mat works well with the finer litter
Buy Now
Scratch prevention
Indoor cats will need a scratching post from day one or they will use the sofa or find some other favorite bit of furniture to destroy. Buy some catnip powder and sprinkle some on the post. It will encourage your cat to scratch the post rather than the sofa.
If the sofa is still a target for claws, spray the area with perfume. It’s a good deterrent and helps to break their newly formed habit. Having their claws clipped occasionally also helps, but you need to know what you are doing. If you get it wrong it will hurt your pet.
I would go for something cheap to begin with because they don't last forever. This one is small and a good price
Buy Now
Toys
Toys are also important. Even an adult cat will have an occasional play, pretending that they are out in the wild, catching mice and birds. Some cat toys come with catnip. Most cats are quite funny with catnip. Our last cat used to just bite the toy until she destroyed it. I need to be careful with catnip with Loki. It excites him and makes him want to hunt. Trouble is he hunts Luna and she’s so much smaller than him.
There are many wand toys with different attachments. Ping pong balls are good for independent play as they are light and bounce. Cats often like toys to be hidden, like a rodent would hide in the wild. Pull a wand toy under a rug or behind a table leg to get your cats attention. I am trying out a few unusual toys, so watch this space for up-and-coming recommendations.
The important stuff
Once your cat has settled in and explored their new home, it's time to register with a vet and consider health insurance - vet bills can sometimes be huge.
The unimportant stuff
Cat trees are nice but not necessary and they do take up space. I have one because Maine coon cats are very active and like to be up high. It also gives them an extra space of their own where they won't get disturbed. I am however really glad I bought it. I went for the largest tree I could accommodate. It is versatile and Loki and Luna love it.
Comments