This is designed to be a simple guide to the products you will either need or decide to buy for your cat.
You
first decision is what type of cat food to Choose. You can of course
provide your cat with home cooked food, but the vast majority of cat
owners choose between commercial dry cat food and wet cat food.
Cat
owners often prefer dry cat food due to the convenience, dry cat food
can be left out for the cat to eat at will over the course of several
days; whereas, canned or raw cat food spoils or becomes unappetizing
after several hours, especially in hot weather. It is important that if
feeding dry food then plenty of water should be made available to
ensure that your cat’s water intake remains high enough to avoid
problems with reduced hydration.
Owners and veterinarians who
recommend a diet consisting largely or entirely of canned, homemade or
raw cat food point to higher water content of such food and the
increased total water consumption in comparison to a dry food diet as
an important health benefit.
A minimum of two small bowls will be
needed for serving your cat’s rations and one for water. Some owners
who find their cats are reluctant to drink, invest in cat drinking
fountain that circulates the water to keep it oxygenated and also cools
it. Some purchase automatic cat feeders with compartments that are
opened by a timer. These are convenient for feeding your cat if you go
away for a short break.
Pet cats that spend a significant of time
indoors will need a litter tray and cat litter to use as toilet when
indoors. Cat litter trays are offered as open trays or covered
varieties which help to reduce unwanted odours.
Cat Litter is
made from a variety of absorbent materials including traditional clay
or more latterly biodegradable paper or wood.
No list of cat
products would be complete without cat scratch posts. Cats
instinctively claw or scratch for a variety or reasons; the two main
ones are either to define territory, or for exercise and stretching.
Cats won’t respond to being told off, so providing them materials to
claw can help save your valued furniture.
Many good cat supplies
retailers offer a range of cat flaps so their cats can let themselves
in and out without owners getting up to open doors. Cat Flaps come in a
range of designs to fit all types of doors including, wood, plastic or
glass panels. It is also possible to buy cat flaps combined with
infrared or magnetic collars, to reduce the likelihood of stray cats
entering the home.
Like other pets Cats can catch fleas and also
require worming the responsible cat owner will need to purchase flea
treatments and worming remedies from their preferred cat supplies
source.
Cats are reluctant travelers so it may be wise to invest
in a cat carrier for those trips to the vets or if you choose to take
your cat on holiday with you or to the kennels. These are designed to
keep the cat safe and well ventilated when traveling