Are you welcoming a new furry friend into your home? Congratulations! This blog post is lovingly dedicated to the first-time cat parent out there who may need a little extra support as you embark on this wonderful journey into pet parenthood.
Prospective Cat Parent Must Dos:
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Compile a thoughtful list of all the essential items you might need for your future feline friend that you don’t already have, and take a moment to set a budget for any related expenses. It’s important to research effective cat enrichment methods to create a happy and fulfilling environment for your cat, ensuring they have the best start in their new home!
Find out more about cat essentials and enrichment below:
The Essentials for Your Beloved Cat
Cat Food & Water Supplies
WSAVA Approved Foods
Brands like Purina, Iams, Hills Science Diet, Royal Canin, and Eukanuba truly understand the importance of our furry friends’ health, which is why they have veterinarians on their boards working diligently to create pet food formulas that meet their unique dietary needs. For those welcoming new pets into their homes, choosing WSAVA-approved food is a tried-and-true recommendation, as it helps ensure that your beloved companion’s nutritional needs are met during their adjustment period.
Water Bowls, Automatic Waterers, or Water Fountain?
Starting with a stainless steel water bowl for our cats is essential before using water fountains! Plastic bowls can cause skin irritation and acne from moisture and bacteria. A pink film can form in their water due to these microorganisms, making our cats less willing to drink. We should regularly clean and refresh their bowls—after all, a happy kitty is a hydrated kitty!
Another option is an “automatic waterer,” or a water bowl that is refilled automatically as your cat drinks from it.
However, if you find your cat eagerly attempting to sip from faucets, toilets, or even aquarium filters, consider investing in a water fountain! Placing one in a convenient spot away from their food and litter box could truly be a game-changer for your feline friend. Just like with bowls, choose a stainless steel water fountain—it’s not only easy to clean, but it also stays fresh and hygienic, avoiding the pesky bacteria that can lurk in the scratches of plastic. Your cat deserves the best, and a charming water fountain can make every sip feel like a delightful adventure!
All Things Litter Boxes
Stainless Steel Pans
There are many types of litter boxes today, including automatic ones, but I highly recommend Stainless Steel litter pans. Unlike plastic pans that absorb urine and need replacing, stainless steel pans are much easier to clean. You can spray and wipe them between litter changes, making them a hygienic option for your pets. I got my stainless steel litter boxes from Amazon, and I love them!
Litter Robot
The Litter Robot is a popular choice for cat lovers, especially on social media! This innovative product simplifies life for those with busy schedules or multiple cats in small spaces like apartments. Enjoy a clean and tidy home for both you and your cats, even in the busiest households!
Do not buy an automatic litter box that is not directly from Litter Robot.
Other automatic litter boxes available on Temu or Amazon contain mechanisms that can entrap and cause significant harm to your cat.
Breeze System
The Breeze System by Purina TidyCats is a great option for pet parents looking for a practical solution. It uses pelleted litter and absorption pads to reduce odors and make cleaning easy. If you want the best for your pets, this choice simplifies litter changes!
Stain & Odor Enzyme Spray – a MUST for Pet Parents!
This might be the most important cleaning product you will ever own when you have pets. Enzyme cleaners neutralize and destroy pet odor caused by potty accidents, vomiting, dirt, oils, marking, and litter tracking, making your cats less likely to go back to the spots they’ve previously soiled.
Nature’s Miracle truly is a miracle! I use this with my personal cats for litter box resets, cleaning up accidents and vomit, and wiping down my surfaces during my “cleaning day.”
There are other brands available at pet stores like PetSmart, or even Walmart, but Nature’s Miracle is my go-to.
Record Keeping & Pet Care Logs . . . Why, you ask?
You need to set this up before you bring a cat home! You never know when you’ll need to track what your cat eats, if they finish their meals, their eating habits, potty notes, temperament insights, and other important details about your pet, like recurring symptoms or a growing bald spot. It’s all part of being a great cat parent!
Keeping a log of your cat’s day-to-day activities can be a vital way to monitor their overall health and behaviors, providing you with valuable insights to share with your vet if you sense that something might be bothering your beloved feline friend.
All you need is a folder or binder and a simple pet care log for each day, available for FREE here, crafted by yours truly!
Carriers – Backpack or Traditional? Here’s the breakdown:
You’ve probably seen cats in backpacks all over social media, and my cats are no exception! I love using a backpack to carry my furry friends. It’s convenient and fun! When we go to a pet store or park, I can secure them in the backpack with a harness, keeping my beloved kitties safe while we enjoy our adventures together!
A traditional luggage-style carrier is a great choice for long trips—whether you’re moving to a new home, visiting relatives for the weekend, going on a pet-friendly vacation, or taking care of medical needs like vet boarding or surgery. It provides comfort and security, making sure your pet travels easily and safely!
If you’re truly serious about pampering your feline companion, you need to get your hands on a premium impact crate for those marathon journeys. After all, if you’re constantly on the move with your cat, why settle for anything less than crash-tested safety? Your cat deserves top-notch protection while you both hit the road!
Cat Enrichment Myths vs. Facts
Myth: Cats are aloof and independent, and can entertain themselves with their catnip toys and scratchers.
Fact: Think cats are aloof? Think again! These little furballs are way more social than you realize and are utterly reliant on their humans for mental and physical stimulation. Neglect those, and you’re just asking for a whole host of undesirable behaviors!
Catnip toys ARE a great way to stimulate your cat’s natural hunting instincts, but it should not be their only source of play.
Feather toys, kicker toys, wand toys, spring toys, balls—these are not just toys; they are the ultimate arsenal for your feline overlord! Elevate their playtime and watch them go wild with sheer delight as they bat, chase, carry, and hide their prized possessions. But don’t stop there! Spice things up with lick mats, slow feeder bowls, puzzle toys, snuffle mats, cardboard scratch pads, and vertical scratching posts. And let’s not forget the thrill of supervised outdoor escapades—your cat deserves nothing less than an exhilarating life!
Myth: Cats enjoy roaming outside, so it’s normal for them to cry at the door to be let out.
Fact: Cats crave the thrill of the outdoors, which ignites their primal prey drive just like their playful antics at home—but let’s face it, once they step outside, they’re in serious danger. It’s not all sunshine and leisurely prowls; getting lost, fleeing from predators, swallowing dangerous objects, or dodging speeding cars on chaotic streets can unleash a level of stress that’s simply unacceptable for our feline friends.
It is so important to ensure your cats safety and wellbeing by supervising them during their time outside, even if they cry at the door to be let out to roam.
A catio is an absolute game-changer for those cats that crave the great outdoors yet should be kept away from other humans. It’s the ultimate sanctuary, allowing your feline friend to frolic freely while staying safe from lurking predators and unpredictable weather. Why risk their safety when you can give them their own slice of paradise?
There are many options to consider for your pet’s well-being, such as leash training, teaching them to come when called and to walk beside you, providing a securely fenced yard for safe exploration, carrying them in a cozy backpack, or taking leisurely walks in a pet-friendly stroller.
Investing in cat trees or constructing shelves throughout your home or designated cat room is essential to satisfy their natural urge to climb and claim the high ground!
Myth: All cats hate water, and they don’t need baths because they clean themselves.
Fact: The truth is, domestic cats do have an innate aversion to water if they haven’t been gradually introduced to it. Take the extraordinary Sphynx cat, for instance; these delightful creatures require regular baths and can actually come to look forward to them as time goes on. While it’s certainly accurate that your average DSH or DLH doesn’t need frequent bathing like a Sphynx, imagine the sheer joy of having a cat that embraces bath time! You never know when that moment might arise, and it’s an idea worth considering.
Bathing and consistent grooming are essential responsibilities of dog and cat ownership, regardless of how often they may need to be done.
It’s truly essential to desensitize your beloved cats to baths, allowing them to acclimate to the sensations that matter most during critical times. This process not only nurtures their well-being but also offers a delightful form of mental enrichment, leaving them pleasantly exhausted from the experience. As they remain alert, cautious, and perhaps even curious, you’re fostering a bond built on trust and understanding. There are many reasons why cats might need baths, whether it’s for health concerns, diminished mobility, the challenges of old age, or the unique traits of certain breeds.
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Plan an exciting adventure to the pet store of your choice and treat your new feline friend to everything they need to feel right at home! While you could opt for online shopping, as a devoted pet parent myself, I can enthusiastically assure you that exploring the aisles of a physical store is the way to go.
You can set up a recurring order through Amazon or Chewy once you know what your cat likes best!
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Transform a room or bathroom into a cozy haven for your new feline friend, dedicating this special space solely to them. Fill it with their essentials—crave-worthy food, refreshing water, and a pristine litter box, lovingly prepared for their comfort. Create a sanctuary where they can flourish and feel cherished!
Congratulations! You are now all set to bring your new cat home!
Additional Steps:
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Feed your cat throughout the day when you can truly be present, and make it a point to sit by their side as they enjoy their meal if they are willing. You don’t need to touch or hand-feed them; just being there is enough. Unlike energetic dogs, cats express their love in their own beautiful way—by choosing to stay close to you, creating an unspoken bond that warms the heart.
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Even if you welcomed your furry friend into your home through a rescue organization or shelter, it’s absolutely essential to book a well visit at a nearby veterinarian’s office. This step is vital to ensure you’re establishing your beloved pet as a valued patient for any future visits, paving the way for a healthy, happy life together!
Don’t wait until it’s too late—get pet insurance now before you find yourself drowning in vet bills. I swear by Lemonade for my cat’s coverage.
What now?
After the initial three day to one week period of adjustment, your new cat should be feeling more confident. Here are some tips to ensure a successful integration of a new cat to your household:
Tip #1 – If you have other pets, it is crucial that you do a few scent swaps before the first introduction. This is done by keeping your new cat separate from your other pets, and swapping their items to smell each other.
Tip #2 – Play with your new cat multiple times during the day. Cats are opportunistic hunters, and they exert most of their energy when they’re channeling their natural instincts. Engaging in active play with your new cat during the day will help ensure that the dreaded midnight zoomies become less frequent, since they’ll already be tired!
Tip #3 – Catify your home, and catify your behavior management methods. What does this mean? Well, cats don’t respond to positive punishment in ways that’ll ensure long term results. The ol’ “tried and true” spray bottle method only works if you’re in the room. A more realistic approach would be offering different alternatives to satisfy behaviors that cats already naturally exhibit.”Cat Enrichment Myths vs. Facts” on this page goes over a multitude of different options to engage your cat’s natural behaviors to climb, scratch, forage, and play-bite.
Tip #4 – Train your cat! Yes, train your cat. Many cats respond well to positive reinforcement training methods, and can even learn to walk on a leash! Set your furry feline up for success by having short and sweet training sessions throughout the day.
Tip #5 – Desensitize your cat to new sights, smells, noises, and scenery. It’s easy to get stuck in a cyclical routine with an indoor cat, but an awesome and affordable way to provide some mental enrichment is to take them on a car ride or a walk in a cat proof backpack or stroller.
Tip #6 – Invest in a collar tag with your pets name, address, and contact information. Collar tags are not just for dogs! Cats occasionally might slip their harnesses, dash out of an open door, or claw through a screened window. Having a collar tag with vital information on it will be very helpful if your new cat ever gets out.
Tip #7 – Always have a first aid kit available for any injuries for quick treatment, or until you can see a vet. Despite having extremely fast reflexes, sometimes cats (especially older cats, immunocompromised cats, and/or special needs cats) misjudge their distances while jumping and end up falling. Or, someone might’ve accidentally gotten scratched by a furry sibling. Regardless of the reason, a first aid kit would be handy to have around!
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