| Once you bring your new cat home, you've got to | | | | If you ever have a problem with a flea infestation, |
| scribble down a quick list of supplies to go pick up. | | | | you will also need to purchase a flea bomb and flea |
| Here are the basic items that you will need to help | | | | sprays for your home and the pets in order to fix |
| your new cat or kitten adjust to your home. | | | | the problem. Again, order these products and other |
| Litter Boxes | | | | similar flea and tick supplies ahead of time so that |
| The very first item on your list of cat supplies will be | | | | you can treat your cats as soon as there is a sign of |
| a litter box. That's usually the second thing that a cat | | | | a problem. |
| will look for after food when he or she arrives at a | | | | Cat Bed |
| new house, but it is a first priority if you want to | | | | If you don't buy a cat his or her own bed from a |
| avoid an accident on your carpet. Most kittens learn | | | | young age, his or her bed will likely be YOUR bed. |
| how to use a litter box from their mothers, so once | | | | Cats generally don't like to sleep on the floor (who |
| you have one, all you have to place your new cat in | | | | does?) -they prefer to be elevated. It is an instinctual |
| front of the box and allow him to inspect the area. | | | | thing; they can oversee their surroundings and |
| After a few months of scooping bad litter out of the | | | | protect themselves from threats better when they |
| box, you're probably going to start wondering if | | | | are up off of the ground, especially when sleeping. |
| there is another way. Luckily, there are motorized | | | | If there is anywhere a cat can sleep other than the |
| products like the LitterMaid on the market that will | | | | ground, such as a chair, a table, or other elevated |
| automatically dispose of your cat's waste. Other litter | | | | surface that is where he will go, so to avoid this habit |
| boxes allow you to lift the cover, sift out the good | | | | get him a nice, comfortable regular or elevated cat |
| litter, and trash the bad stuff. | | | | bed. |
| If you have multiple cats, the general rule of thumb is | | | | Cat Toys |
| that you should have one litter box to every two or | | | | It's not a dire requirement that you buy your cat |
| three cats, depending on how finicky they are and | | | | toys, but a cat owner who cares about the social |
| how close the cats are to each other. | | | | behavior and activity level of his cat will understand |
| Cat Food | | | | that recreational items are more of a necessity than |
| An experienced cat owner knows the difference | | | | an option. A happy cat is active and curious. There |
| between a cheap, filler cat food (also called "grocery | | | | are a variety of cat toys that your cat will love, and |
| store food"), and a premium cat food that is full of | | | | some that he or she will probably just sit and look at. |
| the nutrients that a cat needs to become and remain | | | | The best toys give your cat a sense of |
| strong. Your vet will probably also explain this | | | | accomplishment. Cats like to conquer their "prey" in |
| difference to you when you bring your new cat in | | | | order to feel contented. A few popular toys are |
| for a checkup. | | | | wands, danglers, and devices that make your cat go |
| Many cheap cat foods are full of by-products like | | | | on the chase. Purchase plenty of toys to keep the |
| wheat and corn gluten. Excessive consumption of | | | | cat occupied. You can also make homemade toys, |
| foods that contain a lot of these by-products are a | | | | like "catnip in a sock," run around your house with an |
| major cause of health problems in cats down the line. | | | | iron cord hanging (it looks like a mouse to a cat) or |
| So be sure that you are buying a premium or all | | | | dangle strings of yarn from doors. |
| natural cat food for your new kitty. | | | | Scratching Posts |
| If you have a kitten, you must purchase a special | | | | Finally, if you like the way your couch looks now |
| food that is formulated for kittens. This is because a | | | | (you know, the non-shredded look) you will make |
| kitten has different dietary needs as compared to a | | | | room in your home for a scratching post. Cats need |
| full grown cat. Because they are still in the growth | | | | to stretch and sharpen their claws frequently, and |
| and development phase, kitten foods have more | | | | they tend to do so on furniture and carpet. A |
| nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, | | | | scratching post will give your cat an alternative |
| water, and protein. Senior cat food is not that much | | | | surface to dig his claws into. There are scratching |
| different as compared to regular food, it may just | | | | posts that double as fun toys, like spinning posts that |
| have lower calories and protein. Check with your vet | | | | have dangling objects, or apparatuses with |
| to see what formula is best for your cat. | | | | compartments that your cat can hide in (like a jungle |
| Flea and Tick Preventative Medication | | | | gym). |
| Many cat owners neglect the need to purchase flea | | | | You'll think of even more cat supplies to buy as you |
| and tick products to protect their cats. The news | | | | spend more time with your cat. Thankfully, cats are |
| flash doesn't come through until the owner's home is | | | | usually very low maintenance. Just place the items |
| overrun with fleas or other creepy pests! Head off | | | | that they need in the home and they will take it |
| this problem by getting the right cat supplies in | | | | from there. They play by themselves and sleep for |
| advance. | | | | the majority of the day. You'll know that they |
| In addition to flea collars, there are easy to use | | | | recognize and appreciate all that you do for them |
| products that you can place on your cat's skin to kill | | | | when you get an affectionate rub up against your leg |
| fleas at the first bite. Revolution and Frontline are | | | | or even better-a loving two-eyed wink from your |
| two popular and effective flea and tick preventative | | | | cat! |
| medicines. | | | | |