How to Prepare to Own a Cat: Furniture Products to Buy. Getting your Home Ready
No doubt you’re excited at the prospect of bringing home a new kitten or cat! Whether you’ve adopted from a local shelter or purchased your kitten from a breeder, you’ll want to be ready to bring that ball of fluff home.
You shouldn’t need to purchase a lot of items or make a lot of changes to your home at first. Every cat has its own personality and preferences so you won’t know everything your cat needs until you live with him for a while. There are a few basics to buy and things to do to keep your cat safe, healthy, and happy.
What Should I Buy for My New Cat?
A litter box. This is a given. But you don’t need to settle for the plain, ugly ones available at most pet shops. There are much more attractive cat furniture options that cover up those litter trays. Whether you have a lot of space or very little, you can find a modern cat litter box for your home.
A food and water bowl. Some recommend aluminum bowls to prevent bacteria build-up. You’ll need to keep your cat on a regular feeding schedule, using the same type of cat food consistently. While humans need a varied diet, changing your cat’s food all the time will actually cause stomach and bowel irritation. Do research into the brands of cat or kitten food available to find the best brand for your cat.
A cat scratching post. You no doubt know cats love to scratch. But you will doubtfully love your kitten scratching your furniture! So invest in a cat scratching post early on.
A cat bed. Finding a plush cat bed for your favorite feline to nap on is a must-have piece of cat furniture. You can even buy cat beds that sit on your desk while you work, keeping your cat in easy chin-scratching distance.
A cat carrier. It’s important to always put your cat in a carrier when taking him to the vet or anywhere else.
How Can I Keep My Cat Safe?
Besides the things you’ll need to buy, you may also need to make some changes to your house. For one thing, there are products and objects that you may normally not think of as dangerous that may be fatal to your cat. Below is a short list of items that you should keep away from your feline.
1. Cleaning and landscaping products.
2. Bait for pests like ants, mice, and roaches.
3. Human medications.
4. Sharp objects.
5. Small toys.
6. Pennies, mothballs, coffee grounds, and alcohol.
As you can see, there’s not a lot you need to purchase or do to meet your first cat’s needs and desires. A few pieces of furniture like a cat litter box, scratching post, cat bed, a bowl, and a carrier will do the trick. Some simple hiding and storing of potentially dangerous products and objects will do a lot to keep your cat healthy. So relax and look forward to all the benefits of having a feline friend.