I've finally made up my mind to get a cat. Any advice on what I will need?

Question

I need to know everything that I need to buy for him.

Answer 1

-Nutritious food,

-Food and water bowls,

-Litter box and scooper,

-Litter (I suggest clumping cat litter. You won't have to clean the litter box as often.),

-Enzyme cleaner (for cleaning litter box after dumping litter),

-Pet carrier,

-Safe, interactive cat toys and things to climb on such as cat trees and kitty condos (Playing and climbing are important to cats, and they can be very happy and content indoors if these are provided.) (Avoid string, ribbon, or rolls of yarn. They are choking hazards because they're hard for cats to spit out.),

-Scratching posts and other things to scratch on (You can also purchase Soft Paws nail caps- http://www.softpaws.com/ Please don't declaw!- http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&show=002 I have many more links about declawing. Email me if you're interested.),

-Cat collar and ID tag,

-Sticker with your veterinarian's phone number and after-hours number to put near your phone,

-Flea comb,

-Flea & tick spray and powder (the kind that also kills eggs and larvae (Don't take a chance on Hartz products- http://www.hartzvictims.org/),

-Tooth paste and Tooth brush (or finger brush) made specifically for cats,

-Pet nail clippers,

-Cornstarch, a styptic (astringent) pencil or powder, or a small bar of cat-safe, unscented soap (in case you accidentally clip into the quick and bleeding hasn't stopped within a couple of minutes),

-Pet first aid kit (first-aid lotion, stretch bandage, gauze pads, antibiotic ointment, eye wash, instant cold pack, emergency blanket, magnifying glass, iodine prep solution, etc...),

-Cat bed (You could simply use old sheets or towels.),

-Brush (wire slicker brush are good for thicker coats. Rubber grooming devices are good for massaging the skin.)

I probably forgot to list a thing or two, but I'll drop back by if I remember anything.

Answer 2

OK, I start with the obvious. Cats don't have owners they have staff! They own U. Females way less trouble than males but both are demanding. A relationship with a cat is a lifetime thing for the cat and a properly cared for cat lives up to 20 years. Shorthair cats are WAY less maintainence than longhair ones. All cats should be spayed or neutered. Plenty of wild ones to keep population up. Cats demand regularity in their schedule. They want food at the same exact time every day. Water should be available 24-7. Declawing a cat or trimming claws is a crime if the cat is ever allowed outdoors. Never allow a cat to eat people food. Cats imprint on their people. U will become Parent to your cat. U will need to spend several hrs a day every day as a cat matress. They love to snooze on yer lap. So U need a clean litterbox for them if they indoors..........Poop scoop daily..........Play with them actively a couple hrs a day.........Teach them simple commands...........Up..........down........No........They need toys, they need a place where they allowed to scratch, they need a place thay can climb and be above their world. They really need to socialise with other cats if possible. They need to fight and bite and claw..........I put on a jacket and leather gloves and tussle with mine regularly. They are predatory animals..........they need a roughhouse more than dogs. Never strike a cat in anger.........they never forget. Cats are fun and funny to watch but never laugh at them, they have no sense of humor. Cats are proud independent creatures. If allowed outside they need a flea collar. They need their shots and yearly veternary checkups.
Cats are such a blessing to us. A cat purring on your lap reduces your blood pressure 15 to 30 points. It constantly amazes me that a 10 lb cat trusts a person so much as to walk between my feet without fear of being stepped on. Ok, One last thing, U will need a proper cat carrier to transport kitty to Vet or wherever.........Never put a cat in a box she can't see out. I hope this helps.........

Answer 3

- litter box (covered is good as it will allow him to feel safe when he's in it)
- clumping cat litter (easier to scoop out the soiled bits & leave the clean stuff in)
- scratching post (tall, play-gym type is good if you have the space for it - expensive in stores, but might be able to get better price through online shops)
- a rug of his own (our kitty came to us on a plane, and had her own leopard-print baby rug in the flight case; two years later she stil curls up on her little rug)
- food bowl with trough around it (a water mote between the food and the floor keeps ants out of the food)
- separate water dish (wash and refill it regularly (daily) or every other day at least)
- toys (you'll need to experiment to find out what appeals to him - ours ignores commercial toys but loves to play fetch with crunchy cellophane-wrapped hard candies, scrunched-up foil papers, etc; she also likes little bouncy balls - plays soccer with them - with us, and on her own)
- flea comb (even if he's an indoor kitty, this is a good way to remove lose hairs, and if you get him used to being combed from an early age, he'll love it)
- nail clippers (good idea to clip the sharp points off his nails so you don't end up with little scratches all over you as you play with him; be careful to avoid cutting into the 'quick' - cut only the area of the claw that doesn't have blood in it, but if you mistakenly cut that far down, stop the bleeding with a bar of soap - drag his claw across the bar & the soap will fill the hole & allow the blood to clot in its own time; if you cut his nails regularly, he'll get used to the idea that you're not trying to cut off his feet - he may still fidget, but he'll cope OK)
- innoculations & worm medicine (a local vet can help you with these)
- microchip (implanted under the skin around the scruff of the neck - carries a number that identifies him; if he gets lost & picked up by the pound, etc, they'll scan him & get the number, check the national database, and get in touch with you; vet can do this too)

Answer 4

The Basic Things are

Litter Box
Water Bowl
Food Bowl
Scratching Post
Brush for combing him when shedding
Food
Water
Kitty Litter
Toys for your cat
Access to a small piece of catnip. (Helps with hairballs).

Best of Luck! Look forward to a wonderful relationship.

:o)

Answer 5

love food bowls love litter and box and a ball of waddled up paper love time vet once a year a place for him to sleep

Answer 6

food, water bowl, litter box, cat toys, brush and a lot of love

Answer 7

FOOD AND WATER BOWL LITTER BOX POOPERSCOOPER AND PLAY THINGS