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Maybe you just adopted a cat, or maybe you plan to adopt one in the future. Either way, it’s important to know which cat supplies you need to make your feline friend as happy, healthy, and comfortable as possible. Now, let’s go over the top 10 cat essentials you need.
1. Identification
It is incredibly important to make sure your cat has identification on them at all times. The best way to ensure a lost cat returns home is to give them two forms of I.D. The first is a breakaway collar with an I.D. tag. The I.D. tag should have their name and your phone number. A breakaway collar is much safer than a traditional collar because it has a clasp that releases quickly whenever there is a forceful pull. This means if it gets caught on something, the quick release feature can save them from choking to death.
Now you may be wondering, what happens if a cat runs away and the breakaway collar falls off? That’s where the second form of I.D. comes in: a microchip. Shelters, animal control, and veterinary clinics have microchip scanners, making it all the more likely that you’ll be reunited with your furry friend. In fact, VCA Hospitals says that “cats with microchips were found to be more than twenty times as likely to be reunited with their families.” Just make sure you keep their microchip information up-to-date. We also recommend adding the word “MICROCHIPPED” to your pet’s I.D. tag.
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2. Cat Beds
According to PetMD, cats sleep for an average of 15 hours a day, with some sleeping as little as 12 hours and others as much as 20 hours. With all of this slumber time, it’s only fair to give Fluffy plenty of cat beds to snooze in! Pay attention to your cat’s favorite spots to nap, then add a cat bed in each of those areas. Sometimes, cats change their favorite spots. So if you notice that your cat isn’t using a particular bed, move it to wherever you notice them lounging around the most.
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3. Litter Boxes
Although this one may sound obvious, there are a few specifics to keep in mind. First, even if you only have one cat, a single litter box is not enough. The “rule of thumb” that veterinarians recommend is one litter box per cat, plus an extra box. So if you have one cat, there should be two litter boxes. If you have two cats, there should be three litter boxes (and so on). As another tip, cats generally prefer “open-air” litter boxes. This may sound counterintuitive to us humans who prefer privacy. But as cautious creatures, cats always want to feel safe. So in their minds, being safe means having multiple “escape routes.”
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4. Cat Toys
Don’t underestimate the importance of toys! First, toys keep your furry friend occupied. Just like small children, cats have a way of getting into mischief when they get bored. So if you want to avoid coming home to a toilet paper disaster or broken vase on the floor, it’s best to have plenty of toys available. Okay okay, enough toys doesn’t always keep them out of trouble, but we can try right?
Second, most cats need at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. This makes playtime the perfect opportunity to get your cat moving. Fishing poles, plush mice, and feather toys are just a few of the many options that your cat will love. As a bonus tip, if your cat is waking you up at night, have playtime before bed. By tiring your cat out before bedtime, they’ll be much more likely to sleep throughout the night.
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5. Cat Trees
It’s no secret that cats love high spots, but it’s not because they’re showing off their impressive climbing abilities. In reality, their love of high spots is a safety precaution. When cats are high up and out of the way, they feel safe. Cats are also curious creatures, so being high up is an opportunity for them to observe what’s going on in their territory. That’s why every cat owner should have at least one cat tree in the home, preferably by a window. Not only will this spot make your cat feel safe, but it’ll also keep them entertained. What better way to see what’s going than a “watch tower?”
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6. Scratching Posts
Scratching is completely natural for cats and necessary for their health. This is because scratching helps remove the dead outer nail husk, which keeps their nails healthy and sharp. Scratching is also a great way for cats to strengthen their upper body muscles. With that said, it’s important to have plenty of scratching posts available throughout the house. If your cat is scratching off-limits surfaces, then it’s best to place a scratching post at each problem area. For example, this might look like having one next to the couch, another next to a chair, and a third in front of a curtain.
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7. Pet Bowls
Plastic bowls should be avoided because they can be breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. Even if you’re diligent with washing the bowls, plastic still has the tendency to crack, and bacteria can build up in even the smallest of cracks. Ceramic bowls are safer than plastic, but they break more easily. But even with careful use, ceramic can still develop cracks for bacteria too. In addition, the glaze may contain lead or other toxins. Stainless steel is usually considered the safest type of pet bowl. Not only are stainless steel bowls more durable, but they are also more sanitary because bacteria cannot enter stainless steel’s hard surface.
Finally, you might want to consider reserving the bowl for food and using a pet fountain for your cat’s water. Many cats don’t drink enough water because they instinctually prefer running water. Note that if your cat isn’t properly hydrated, they are at a higher risk for a number of health problems. Thankfully, there are many pet fountains on the market, and plenty of options have a stainless steel bowl!
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8. Grooming Supplies
Most cats are pretty good at grooming themselves, which means you’ll rarely, if ever, have to give them a bath. However, they still have other grooming needs. Every cat needs to be brushed regularly to keep their coat tangle-free, shiny, and healthy. Yes, even short-haired cats! This is because brushing stimulates their sebaceous glands. These glands secrete sebum into the hair follicles which lubricates the skin and hair. For indoor cats, you may also need to trim their nails, but this is a case-by-case basis. If you do need to trim your cat’s nails, you’ll need a nail trimmer specifically designed for cats.
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9. Pet Carriers
Before you even bring your new cat home you’ll need a cat carrier! However, that’s far from the only time you’ll reach for a carrier. Even after you and your feline friend are home, you’ll need that carrier for emergencies or simple vet visits. Chances are your cat won’t be too fond of being put in a carrier. As mentioned earlier, cats are cautious creatures. With that said, cats get stressed whenever they are forced to do something.
That’s why, if possible, it’s best to leave the carrier out at least a few days before it’s needed. This will give your cat time to investigate the carrier and become more comfortable with it. Or you can even leave the carrier out and open indefinitely! This way, your cat will be more likely to have a positive association with the carrier. As a pro tip, there are cat carriers on the market that double as cat beds, like these:
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10. A Cat House
Cats love confined spaces (like boxes and cabinets) because such spots make them feel safe and secure. With this in mind, a great way to make your furry friend happy is with a cat house.
That’s why we love Aivituvin, which is a company that offers pre-fabricated pet homes such as chicken coops, rabbit hutches, bird cages, and cat houses. Last year, they gave us this beautiful catio. This year, to celebrate our YouTube channel passing 50,000 subscribers, Aivituvin gifted us this cat house, which is the AIR08-B model.
Like their other products, this cat house is made with fir wood and is coated with eco-friendly water-based paint. The best part is that it’s easy to set up. Assembling it was just a matter of opening up the flat-packed box, following the pictorial manual, and using a drill. So, it’s pretty “dummy proof!” Seriously, everything was labeled and there were even pre-drilled holes. This is one of the many reasons why we love Aivituvin. Their products are perfect for people with limited building skills, like us!
As a side note, this particular model can be used for cats or dogs. However, cats should NEVER ever be caged. So if you are using this for a cat, ALWAYS leave the door open, or take the door off altogether. Overall, we are very happy with how this cat house turned out. We know our cats will enjoy cozying up in this little house. They’ll also love playing lookout on the top of the platform. A cushion or cat bed can easily fit here for even more comfort!
If you want to order one, you can get 5% OFF your order with our exclusive promo code: TPJ5. This discount will apply to any of their products, not just the cat house!
AIR08-B Indoor or Outdoor Dog/Cat House: https://bit.ly/3sh8B5r
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Disclaimer: The Purring Journal is not in the medical field. This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
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