myKotty A proper starter kit for a new cat is just as important as a school starter kit for a child – after all, a cat is just as much a member of the family as kids are, right? Plus, ‘kitty’ and ‘kiddy’ sound pretty similar. A coincidence? Making sure that your new kitty has a soft landing in a completely new environment is extremely important for their health and well-being. You can start minimising the stress resulting from changes by arranging for a set of “cat must-haves”, which will help your furry friend make themselves comfortable and feel at ease from day one.
THE CHECKLIST
Carrier
This essential artefact should come first on your shopping list. A cat should be transported safely to their new home, that’s why when you are about to choose a cat carrier, consider picking one offered by proven manufacturers, one whose quality and functionality are confirmed by positive reviews of cat caretakers. When buying the carrier, bear also in mind a cat harness. Especially if you intend to travel with your cat rather often.
Food
In the first 2-3 weeks your new cat should be fed the same food they used to eat in their previous home (regardless of whether it was a shelter, a private home or a cattery). Following this principle will make it easier for the cat to adapt. This way, we will also mitigate the risk of occurrence of any negative health symptoms such as allergies or digestive problems. Before you say “mi ca(t)sa es su cat(s)a” to your new fur-iend, it’s good to consult their current caretaker and arrange for some supplies of the food the kitty has been fed so far. Also, think of getting some lids with cat food to cover the tins – this should keep the cat food fresh for a longer time after you first open it.
Bowl
Choosing the right bowl or plate is just as important as its contents. There are hundreds different models to select from. They’re made of different materials and they come in different formats – classic, shaped, and so on. The abundance of products to choose from can make your head spin. When making the choice, we should put the cat’s comfort first – it’s better to go for shallower and broader bowls, so that the whiskers don’t get smeared, and the kitty finds it easier to access the food.
Litter box, scoop, and litter
So, we know that we shouldn’t change a cat’s current habits in the first few weeks spent in a new home. Let’s ask their current caretaker about the litter box (i.e. open or closed) and the type of litter used so far. In the case of kittens, it’s usually a ‘mini’ litter box. A more senior cat, in turn, will most likely have used a standard-size litter box. Make sure to check what the litter box is made of. The best products will come with a certificate and be made of proven materials. The latest trends among this type of products are smart litter boxes that, in addition to aesthetic values, contain many functions such as cat health control or odor neutralization. After the adaptation period your cat will certainly be convinced to a different kind of litter box, so it’s worth experimenting.
Scratcher, blanket, cat bed
If you’ve managed to cross all of the above basic necessities off the checklist, it’s time to… furnish your cat’s bedroom and playroom! Let’s start from the scratcher – it’s an absolute must-have of every cat caretaker. If you really wish to keep your cat healthy (and your couch intact), you need to get one! In this case, there’s only thing we can honestly recommend – as cat nail experts, we recommend scratchers offered by us because we know that they’re 100% safe for cats (thanks to the unique manufacturing method applied, which makes the cardboard velvet-like to the touch and there’s no risk of a cat getting their paws cut because of some sharp edges; their products feature also certified adhesives, used in the food industry). A scratcher should also be ready to play other roles – act as a cat bed as well as be a cat’s ‘playground’, so choose a model that will make your cat’s play both safe and engaging, and let them get some well-deserved rest after intense physical activity.
You can also separate the ‘rest zone’ from the ‘play zone’ by arranging a cosy bedroom for your cat. And this is where cat beds come in. Choose one made of natural materials and steer clear of synthetic fabrics like polyester as they may be harmful to the cat. MyKotty cat beds come with 100% natural cotton covers, which makes them both comfortable and safe for our furry friends. On to of that, they make a beautiful addition to the home décor, blending in with the interiors amazingly well.
Toys and playhouses
We all wish to pamper our cats as much as possible, right? That’s why a proper cat starter kit is never complete without toys! Sure, it’s hard to make a choice because if you could, you’d probably buy everything, wouldn’t you? Cats love playing with real toys, but are also very fond of various types of cat houses and hiding places, where they can hide, ‘bury’ their prey or keep an eye on the surroundings. There are many kinds of cat playhouses – made of cardboard or fabric, resembling a box or a tunnel in shape, etc. Again, with so many excellent products available, manufacturers don’t make it easy for us to make the choice. We recommend one of our bestseller – MIA cat house with a cardboard mat – choosen by many satisfied, furry customers!
As you can see, assembling a proper kitty starter kit is quite a challenge! Our recommendations cover just a few options to choose from. We hope that they’ll make it at least a bit easier for you to make the right decisions, but it’s still all up to you, really.
And what’s your story, fabCats? Was the shopping for all the elements of your cat starter kit a pleasant experience? Or did you rather feel like something the cat dragged in once it was over? Share your memories in the comments!
