Supplies You Need when You Adopt a Cat

If you are considering adopting a cat, you may be wondering what supplies you need. There are many things you can buy for your cat, but you need not break the bank to have a healthy, happy cat.

Cat Carrier

When adopting a cat, one of the first things you will use is a cat carrier. Though many agencies and shelters provide some type of temporary cardboard carrier, you will want a sturdy carrier you can use for transporting your cat to the vet, when you travel and if you move. Additionally, if you leave the carrier on the floor with the door open, your cat will learn it is a great non-scary place to take naps and get some alone time. This will allow you to load your cat for transport much easier than if every time he sees the carrier it means trauma by being forcibly loaded and transported.

Food and Water Dishes, Food

When you first get your cat home, there are several things you will want to have ready and waiting for your cat. Two of those are food and water. Food and water dishes are relatively inexpensive and in a pinch, cleaned out small plastic containers (such as from margarine) will work.

You can get a feeder for your pet that will automatically refill the food and water dishes as they are emptied. The downside of this is that your cat may overeat and the water isn't as fresh as when you fill it daily. Its best to have regular feeding times and portion your cat's food, but if you must go away from home or have a crazy schedule, feeders can come in very handy. They are priced starting at around $5.

When choosing cat food, dry is recommended with wet being only used on occasion or for elderly cats who can't chew as well. Kittens may also do better with a soft dry food designed for them or wet food. The most important thing is to get the most nutritional food you can for the money you can spend. Read labels and talk to your vet about your cat's particular needs for his stage of life and medical needs, if any. There are healthy and organic foods on the market for cats.

Cat Litter and Litter Box

A must-have for cats is a litter box. There are many types of litter and boxes to choose from ranging from $3.49 for a pre-filled disposable litter pan to self-cleaning litter boxes with pseudo litter that cost more than $300. Check the reviews and get the type that works best for your lifestyle. Cats can be quite finicky about their litter box and may leave their waste elsewhere if they feel you are not keeping their box clean enough.

Collars and Harnesses, ID Tags

Whether your cat is an indoor or outdoor cat or microchipped, having a safety-release cat collar for your cat is a great idea. It identifies your cat as a pet rather than a stray and allows you to place an ID tag and rabies tag on your pet. If your cat goes outside, having a bell on his collar helps alert birds and other 'prey' they are around. Most people do not appreciate finding the gift of a dead bird from their proud feline on their doorstep.

A cat harness and leash can be used if you want to take your cat somewhere and have some control over the cat. The downside is that some cats are like double-jointed Houdinis that can twist their way out of a harness is less than ten seconds. Unlike dogs, cats do not usually respond well to a leash type situation, so this may require a lot of time and practice in order to make the entire process of putting on a harness, the cat wearing it, and then removing the harness a non-stressful and non-traumatic event.

Microchipping is a fabulous way to help your cat make it back home to you should he ever be stolen or lost. At the shelter where I volunteer, I became aware of horrible things people do to pets that belong to others - including stealing them, removing collars and turning them in to shelters miles away from home. It is microchipping that reunited the pets with their families. Even if you have a collar, it is a good idea to get your cat microchipped. Call around to different places for rates. A neighboring county to where I live offers microchipping for about half the price we can get it done in town: $15.

Immunization Card

Just like children, cats can get an immunization card. On your first visit to the vet as for one along with a chart as to when they need to get each vaccination. This will help keep your cat healthy.

Grooming Tools

All cats should be groomed at home with a cat brush to help minimize the shedded hair around the house, but long-haired cats, especially, need to be brushed on a regular basis. There are different types of brushes and each cat will react in a different way to the brush and the act of being brushed.

We have two different brushes because our cats have a preference based upon the bristles. One likes the metal bristles while the other prefers the plastic/rubber ones. If you select the right brush type and brush your cat in the right way, they will enjoy being brushed and even 'beg' you to brush them. Our cats have access to their 'toy box' and regularly let us know they want to be brushed by nudging at their brush with their nose. For them, its like an extra special session of being petted. If your cat is reticent, try treats to entice and reward them. Brushes begin around $3.50 in price.

Another great grooming tool to have is a clipper for your cat's claws. If you follow the directions carefully and have trained your cat to be comfortable being held and having his paws touched, this process will be quick and easy. If not, you may want to do a little bit at a time over multiple session, have help or have a professional take care of it.

Keeping your cat's claws trimmed helps reduce the amount of clawing cats feel they need to do. It is important to note that a de-clawed cat still has rear claws that need to be maintained. Trimmers start at around $3.

Treats

Treats should not be given all the time, but they are a great tool for training and rewarding your cat. They can be used to entice a cat into his carrier and to endure being brushed if he is adverse to it. Not all treats are alike, and some seem to be downright disgusting to cats. You may have to try several types before you find one you are both happy with. There are healthy and organic treats on the market as well. I have seen treats priced as low as $1 per package.

Toys and Cat Furniture

Cats are curious by nature and need to exercise their mind and body. Having toys they can play with on their own as well as scratching posts and a bed helps keep your cat happy. Though huge cat towers are not necessary, they do like to climb and indoor cats need more opportunities for exercise and play than their outdoor counterparts.

If your cat has his front claws you can get sheaths from the vet for them to help reduce scratching or you can keep their claws trimmed and give them scratching posts. To train them not to scratch at the corners of furniture, place strips of double-sided tape on their targets. Cats hate the sticky feel on their paws and will avoid scratching there. You can also place it on the 'landing zone' of places they like to jump to that they should not be such as on counters. Persistence will pay off.

The best way to teach a cat 'no' is to also teach him a 'yes'. If you don't want him on the counter, give him another place he can jump to. If you don't want him to scratch the couch, give him a scratching post. Be sure to reward the positive behavior and to immediately move the cat to the 'yes' place when you catch them in a 'no' place.

Squirt Bottles and Super Soakers

A great method for teaching a cat to not jump on counters or scratch at furniture is to use a squirt bottle when you catch them in the act. You must only use it when you catch them in the act, but most cats catch on quickly and merely looking at the squirt bottle will soon be enough to get them to alter their behavior. Over time and with consistency the squirt bottle may rarely or never be needed.

If the cat is too far away to be reached with a squirt bottle, a mild force super soaker or squirt gun may be needed. It is not about punishing the cat, but about deterring it from the negative behavior.

Noisemakers

Another method people use to teach cats about appropriate behavior is to use some type of noisemaker. Placing beans in a small tin can will work. The noise startles them and may deter them. Our cats gave us an annoyed look and continued with what they were doing, so for us, water was the method that worked.

TLC

One of the most important things you need for your cat is Tender Loving Care (TLC). Your cat is dependant upon you for everything and trusts you to be kind and loving. Your cat's temperament and behavior will be largely affected by your own. Use soft gentle tones instead of harsh ones whenever possible for the best results.

When our two cats occasionally begin to cross the line of play, soothing tones while I tell them to 'be nice' and 'be my nice babies' immediately calms them down and stops them. I used to use harsh tones and it only resulted in me being ignored or them going right back to squabbling. Now, they rarely cross the line and, again, the results of the change in my tone and approach has made a distinct difference in their reaction and ongoing behavior.

Source:

Personal experience as a cat owner and animal shelter volunteer.