Keeping a cat is an interesting and exciting thing. What do you need to raise a cat？ To make sure your cat has a comfortable and pleasant living environment, we need to prepare some essential items. This article will introduce the shopping list for new cat and help you successfully pass the first stage of raising a cat for the first time.
Mental Preparation
Before shopping, you must first be mentally prepared.
- Can you always be responsible？
At present, the average lifespan of domestic cats is 15-20 years old. In the meantime, you may face various changes such as moving, changing jobs, getting married, and having children. Can you always take responsibility for your cat when facing these changes?
- Can you accept the passing of a cat?
You will experience the childhood, youth, and old age of a cat, and when the cat is old, you need to pay more attention and even face the cat’s death.
- Can you accept changes in your home environment?
Once you start keeping pets, the furniture will be more or less damaged, and there are still some things that need to be discarded, such as aromatherapy, plants, etc.
- Do you have enough time to accompany it?
Raising a cat is not only feeding and cleaning up feces but also spending enough time with it to let it have basic social skills and not become too afraid of humans.
- Do you have sufficient economic capacity?
Having a healthy diet is the key for cats to avoid getting sick, so the money for good cat food cannot be saved. Cat litter, deworming drugs, vaccines, and physical examinations are all annual fixed expenses.
After making the above psychological preparations, we can start preparing the necessary items now.
Shopping List for New Cat
The following 11 items need to be prepared in advance before having a cat:
- Cat Litter Box
Choose an easy-to-clean and odorless litter box, keep the litter clean, and regularly remove clumped litter. Prepare one for each cat.
- Cat Litter
Choose dust-free, odorless, and highly absorbent cat litter. Keep the litter box clean and dry.
- Cat Carrier
For the convenience of going out, you can purchase a cat carrier suitable for the size of your cat, which can not only be checked but can also be used as a cat’s nest in the future.
- Cat Food and Water Bowl
Choose stainless steel or ceramic bowls that are easy to clean and avoid bacterial growth as well as avoid producing scratches. Ensure that cats have enough space to eat.
- Cat Food
Choose high-quality cat food that is suitable for your cat’s age, health condition, and taste. They can provide the nutrients that cats need. It is recommended to prepare the cat’s original food, feed it for some time, and then gradually transition.
- Cat Toy
Cats need toys, even if it’s just a cardboard box. You can also buy a variety of toys, such as bite-resistant balls or feather toys, which can improve a cat’s liveness and exercise its body.
- Cat Scratcher and Cat Tree
Provide a cat scratcher for cats to sharpen their claws, which can protect furniture and floors. Cats are naturally fond of climbing so you can also provide a cat tree or cat tower, allowing them to have enough activity.
- Cat Bed
You need to provide a warm and comfortable place for cats to rest. You can prepare a cat bed or cardboard box for your cat（when they just move home or are afraid, cats can hide in the cardboard box）.
- Pet Nail Clipper and Cat Brush
Regularly trim your cat’s nails to avoid scratching furniture. Choose a cat brush that is suitable for the cat’s hair, and regularly comb the cat’s hair to maintain its health and beauty.
- Emergency medication
You can use human medicine to treat a cat’s external injuries but it’s necessary to use p
professional pet medicine for treating diarrhea and antiemesis.
- Cleaning Supplies
Choose mild and non-irritating cat-specific shampoo and shower products for regular bathing and cleaning of cat hair.
The above is the new cat supplies list and their introduction and reasons for purchase. Of course, it is not necessary to purchase them all at once. You can prioritize purchasing essential items according to the needs of your cats so that they can live happily and healthily.
Tips for Raising a Cat
1、Suitable cat litter and cat food cannot be determined immediately, and it may require multiple attempts after the cat settles down at home. If a cat urinates everywhere or does not bury feces, in addition to disease factors, it may be related to improper placement of litter and litter box.
2、If the cat doesn’t like to comb or drink water, it may also be due to “tools”. You can try changing the comb or cat water bowl.
3、Cat toys and cat scratchers are consumables that need to be replaced regularly.
4、Cat snacks are not essential, but you can prepare some as a reward for trimming nails or taking a shower.
By completing the above steps, it can be said that the basic preparation work has been completed, and you can safely take the cat home.
