Welcoming a feline friend into your family is an exciting occasion filled with anticipation and nerves. However, to ensure your new pet feels comfortable and secure in their new surroundings, it’s best to ensure you have all the cat supplies before you bring home your new furry friend. This comprehensive guide is designed to help steer you through the crucial first steps of cat ownership.
In this guide, we’ve aimed to create an in-depth list of supplies for new cat owners in Australia. We’ll take you through the necessities, including toys, bedding, carriers, and beyond—to ensure that from day one, your new companion feels truly at home. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of what makes for a happy, comfortable, and contented cat.
Cat Supplies Checklist
Being a first-time cat owner can seem overwhelming, with all the supplies you’ll need to keep your pet healthy and happy. We’ve compiled a useful checklist to help guide you:
Cat Carrier
A sturdy and comfortable carrier should be one of the first things you purchase for your cat! If you are adopting your kitty from a rescue organisation, it’s often mandatory that you provide your own carrier. It’s important that you invest in a carrier that is large enough for your cat to comfortably sit in. You may opt for a fabric or hard shell carrier – that’s completely up to you!
For maximum safety, we prefer the hard shell carriers when transporting your cat. We recommend a carrier that is 1.5x the length of your cat, so they have enough room to comfortably lie down. For ease of access, we also love cat carriers that have a door at the top and on the side.
Cat Food Bowls
These should be sturdy, easy to clean, and big enough for your cat’s daily meals. To prevent whisker fatigue, the bowls should not be too narrow or deep. A cat’s whiskers are naturally extremely sensitive, and constant stimulation during meal times may be uncomfortable to your kitty.
Cat Water Bowls
It’s best to separate your cat’s food and water bowls, and placing them at least a few feet apart. Make sure you clean the bowl and change the water frequently!
Cat food is one of the first things you’ll want to shop for when getting a new cat. Wet or dry? Pouch or tin? Grain-free? There are a lot of choices in the market.
When selecting cat food, it’s usually good to choose one that’s labelled as ‘complete’. This means it contains all the nutrients your cat needs in the right proportions.
If you’re looking to splurge, consider investing in a cat water fountain. Cats are often finicky about still water, so a fountain is a great alternative to encourage your kitty to stay hydrated.
Cat Food
The age, size, breed, and health of your cat will help guide the best choice of food for them. Always consult with your veterinarian to ensure that you’re choosing the right kind of food for your cat.
Ideally, you should choose a mix of wet and dry food to keep your cat’s diet balanced. Cats naturally don’t consume very much water, so it’s best to ensure that your cat consumes more wet food than dry food. Wet food is also less calorically dense by volume, reducing the likelihood of obesity in cats. Make sure you consult with your vet before changing your cat’s diet.
Litter Box and Cat Litter
Contrary to dogs, cats are particular about their bathroom habits. The right litter box setup can prevent many cat behavior problems. Look for a litter box that’s a size or two bigger than your cat. The type of litter can also affect your cat’s bathroom behavior. Many cats prefer fine-grain litters, similar to the texture of sand.
The rule of thumb for litter boxes is 1 per cat PLUS 1 additional litter box. So, if you have 1 cat, we recommend 2 litter boxes. If you have 2 cats, that’s 3 litter boxes and so on. You’ll also want to make sure the litter box is spacious enough for your cat. Make sure to check the litter box measurements to ensure that it’s length is long enough for your cat to comfortably fit.
Are you having trouble with litter box issues? Read our handy guide on how to remove cat pee smell from furniture.
Scoop and Waste Bags
These are essential for keeping the litter box clean and hygienic. We recommend scooping the litter once a day, at the very minimum! Waste bags are a handy accessory to help manage smells, instead of scooping right into a trash can.
Cat Bed
Cats need their own sleep space, and a cat bed is perfect for this. Your cat’s bed needs to be soft, comfortable, washable, and the right size.
Choose a bed that is spacious enough for your cat to spread out. We like the kind of cat beds that have raised edges that act like a head rest!
Scratching Post or Tree
All cats have a natural instinct to scratch, it’s normal and should be encouraged! We recommend having a range of different options for your cat to scratch on, otherwise they make look to scratch your furniture.
When considering the height of the scratcher, make sure it’s not too short. Cats love to stretch out as they use the scratch pole!
Grooming Tools
Even though cats are very good at grooming themselves, they still need our help. Regular grooming removes dirt, spreads natural oils through your cat’s coat, prevents tangles, and keeps skin clean and irritant-free.
Nail clippers, a slicker brush and ear cleaning solution are important to keep your cat clean and happy. While cats clean themselves, using a slicker brush regularly will reduce the amount of fur they ingest as well as in your home. We prefer retractable slicker brushes for easy cleaning!
If you’re adopting a kitten, it’s best to get them de-sensitised to nail clippers as soon as possible. Frequent nail trimmings can help reduce the likelihood of you and your furniture getting scratched up!
Interactive and Independent Play Toys
Cats need toys for exercise and mental stimulation. They love to stalk, chase and pounce on their prey, so toys that mimic this will give them the outlet they need for such behaviors.
Contrary to popular belief, you do need to play with your cat! Frequent play time can help strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend, as well as lessen destructive behaviour due to boredom. Consider a range of toys including interactive (the kind where you play with your kitty) and independent (no human required) toys.
Interactive toys include wand toys, laser toys, cat tunnels, while independent toys are springs, balls, kicker toys and anything else that your cat can use to play by itself.
Our favourite interactive toys are wand toys as they provide endless amounts of fun for you and your kitty.
Our favourite independent toys are colourful springs that your kitty can change and bat!
Remember, this is just a starter checklist. Different cats may require different or additional items.
Health and Safety Supplies for Cats
Your cat’s health should always be top priority. Make sure to keep a pet-specific first-aid kit and have relevant emergency numbers handy.
Where to Buy Cat Supplies
There are many places to buy cat supplies. If possible, buy in bulk to save money. Check out online retailers like Pet Circle and Petbarn. Even Amazon Australia has a vast variety of products at competitive prices. Local stores also offer great quality products and allow you to physically examine them before purchasing.
Conclusion
Becoming a cat parent is a rewarding experience. Remember that each cat is unique, and it may take time to understand your pet’s preferences and habits. The most important thing is to provide your cat with love, care, and respect. As long as you keep your cat’s basic needs in mind, you’ll both be on a path to a remarkable companionship.
For all your new cat supplies needs, remember this checklist and feel free to ask for additional guidance from vets and other cat owners. Welcome to the amazing world of cat ownership!
