Basic Supplies

Dish Ware

We recommend stainless steel, glass, or ceramic food and water bowls. Avoid plastic containers; toxins in the plastic and the porous material encourage bacterial build up.

Food

High quality wet food is great for your cat; it is a great source of protein (verses grain – cats can not survive on a vegetarian diet). Feed your cat wet food two times a day and try to be as consistent with the feeding time as possible.  Read the labels to determine serving sizes and to note ingredients.  You want to use premium brand cat foods that have high meat content. Look for naturally preserved foods with wholesome contents. Watch for chemicals and preservatives that provide no nutritional value. L-Lysine is a great additive to wet food in order to build up your cat’s immune system. It helps prevent upper respiratory infections (URI). L-Lysine can be purchased at GNC, iherb.com or a pharmacy. Also, let your cat try a variety of flavors. You will quickly learn what their favorite flavors are.  Once you find a food your cat enjoys, do not switch it.  Cats do not need variety in their food. 

Your cat should have access to high quality dry food at all times.  Free feeding portions should be based on the number and age of your cats. If you are going to change the brand of dry food, slowly change it over 1 to 2 weeks.  The weaning process should look something like this:

  • First few days: 1 part new food, 3 parts old food
  • Next few days: half new food, half old food
  • Final few days: 1 part old food, 3 parts new food

This will allow your cat’s system to adjust to the new brand. If they should vomit or have diarrhea, go back to the original brand. Please read the labels for serving size.

Water

Your cat should always have access to fresh water.  Replenish the bowl with new water at least 2 times a day.  Filtered, purified, or bottled water are recommended. Cats, like humans, are impacted when impurities and toxins are found in their drinking water. It is important to remember that cats do not like to bend their whiskers while eating or drinking so make sure that the bowls are large enough. If your cat is not drinking from its water bowl, remember cats are much more sensitive to smell than we are so make sure you are thoroughly rinsing the bowl when you are washing it.

Litter Box

The general rule of thumb is 1 box per cat.  However, some cats like to urinate in one litter box and defecate in the other. If this is the case, you will need to have an extra litter box.   Your cat should be able to comfortably get in the box and there should be plenty of room to perform her elimination ritual of sniffing, digging, squatting, and turning around and then covering up the feces.  You may need to experiment to find out which kind of litter box your cat prefers.

The litter boxes should be private and easily accessible.  Cats are neurotic about their need to feel safe and secure when they are eliminating. Place litter boxes in a quiet private place that are easily accessible to your cat and where it will not be disturbed by other family members or pets. A house with several floors should have a box per floor and the litter box should not be placed near food or water. You also want to make sure your cat knows where the litter boxes are located.    Once you establish the placement of the litter boxes, don’t move them. If you must move them do so gradually. Cats are very location orientated and will continue to visit an area previously used.

Litter

You should choose a litter that would be desirable from a cat’s point of view.  You should look for an unscented, absorbent, soft to the touch, and rake-able substance.  Cats do have a preference for clumping litter over nonclumping litter.  Be sure to select a brand that clumps into a firm ball, making scooping easier and cleaner.   There should be no artificial fragrance. Perfumed chemical scents can repel cats.  About 3 inches of litter is satisfactory, with this amount of litter the urine usually does not stick to the bottom of the litter box.  The litter you use should contain the least amount of chemicals as possible; the higher the natural content the better. Cats get litter on their paws and then when they clean their paws, they could be ingesting the litter.

Scratching Post

A scratching post should be at least 30 inches tall so your cat can fully stretch its arms up.  It should be made of soft wood or wrapped with Sisal rope (not carpeting), and mounted on a stable base that won’t tip.  You can experiment with the location of the scratching post. 

Toys

Toys are a great way to provide your cat with mental and physical stimulation which make for a happier and healthier pet. There are a variety of different toys available today; your cat will let you know which ones they enjoy. Again, you will need to experiment with a variety of toys to discover your cat’s preference.  Toys that are interactive with humans and cats are a great way to spend time with your cat.

Toy ideas:

  • Light weight items for the “Catch and Kill” game such as balled up tissue or wax paper.
  • A couple of Ping Pong Balls –perfect for cat racquetball.
  • The center of toilet paper or paper towel rolls, or wine corks – all can be used for batting practice.
  • Cotton socks varying in size stuffed with cotton balls, cat nip and tied at the end.
  • Toys that are on a fishing type pole or stick.
  • Cat’s love to hide out. After a day of shopping, let your cat explore the paper (not plastic) shopping bags. Please make sure you cut the handles.

Toys that you should not give your cat include string, yarn, floss, ribbon, twine, rubber bands, and bells. Due to the barbs on the cat’s tongue, it is difficult for them to remove these items from the tongue and they may end up swallowing them.

Carriers

Always use a cat carrier when transporting your cat.  Put your cat’s favorite blanket or something with its scent on it inside the carrier to comfort her. You should also let your cat get used to the carrier before you use it to take her to the vet. Leave the carrier open on the floor, put her toys or treats in it so she feels safe and can discover it on her own. Carriers should be secured. The seatbelt or shoulder belt should always be put through the top handle of the carrier. The carrier should be kept in the back seat to prevent the impact of airbags, just like a child.

Places to Sleep

Your cat should have a few places to sleep in your home that are considered hers. Cat beds, cat trees, baskets, and pillows are essential. Cats need a place to sleep where they feel safe and secure. You will soon discover your cat’s favorite places to sleep because she will consistently go back to the same place.  Make sure you check your closets or rooms before you close the door – cats are notorious for sneaking into a room or closet in a quick second. Cats like to sleep and perch in high places – they like the security of seeing everything that is happening below and around them. Cats also have a hierarchy and the dominant cat will like to sleep in the highest spot while the more submissive cat sleeps down below.