14 Feline Supplies Every New Cat Owner Needs

Whether you’re bringing home a cat for the first time or adding a new member to your already furry household, you want to make sure you have all the right stuff to make kitty feel safe and happy. Sure, cats are known for being independent and self-reliant, but they still need a few things.

From making sure he always has water and food, to toys that will incite her playful antics, you’ll want to stock up on all of these feline supplies before you bring your new pal home.

A Kitty Water Fountain

If you’ve owned cats before, you’ve probably caught your kitty at the sink, lapping up the drips as they fall from the faucet. It’s a fact that cats are drawn to running/moving water.

So instead of buying a plain old (boring) water dish, why not indulge your kitty with a running fountain like this one from Catit? It can hold up to 3 liters of water, so as long as you refill it every so often, kitty will always have water. The cute little flower on top also makes it a cute, yet functional, addition to any room.

The Right Food Dish

There are lots of different types of cat food dishes on the market. Some auto-feed, and some don’t. Some are made of lightweight plastic, while others are heavy ceramic. Of course, which one you choose will largely depend on your personal preferences and lifestyle.

We like this bowl by YYHY because it’s angled and slightly elevated. This will allow your cat to hold his head in a more natural position while eating. It’s particularly good for senior cats and will also help prevent vomiting.

Age-Appropriate Food and Treats

The food you buy, including treats, should be based on the age of your cat. Kittens have different dietary needs than adults cats, as do seniors. Talk to your veterinarian about any special diets your cat should be on or ask what food they recommend.

Kitten foods are easier for babies to eat, which is one of the main differences between that and adult cat foods. Cats of different ages also need different nutrients for energy and optimal health.

A Cat Bed

Whether you’re getting a second cat or your first, the Bedsure Cat Cube is an ideal piece of luxury feline furniture. There’s a hiding place inside for naps and space on top for some snoozing as well.

What makes this an excellent choice is you can easily remove the pads from the top and bottom to wash. There’s also a scratching pad on the side that you can start training your cat to use immediately, and the entire thing folds up for easy storage or moving.

An Easy-to-Use Litter Box

Cleaning out the litter box isn’t one of the most pleasant parts of cat ownership, but you can make things easier by investing in a self-cleaning box. It’s also worth looking for a box with a lid, so no one has to see what the cat is doing while she’s in there.

There are several different types of self-cleaning litter boxes, but the MEGA Paw Roll ‘n Clean is more affordable than the electric boxes. It also doesn’t have any cords for curious kitties to gnaw on. And the best part: no scooping!

Good Kitty Litter

There are tons of kitty litter brands and types on the market. You can go for cheap and dusty or the super-pricey stuff made from recycled newspapers. However, there are also some excellent options in-between.

You want to look for litter that fights odors, even if you’ll only have one cat and plan to clean the litter box daily. Dust-free litter is another plus because it’s less messy and also won’t cause you and your cat to sneeze as much.

Arm & Hammer’s Slide cat litter works particularly well with roll cleaning litter boxes (see above). It makes cleaning any litter box easier, but it also won’t stick to or clog the self-cleaning kind.

Stimulating Cat Toys

Most folks quickly learn that cats are easily entertained. Simply tossing a crumpled-up piece of paper at your cat can provide him with many minutes of pure playful joy. However, any of the following toys can provide hours of entertainment for both you and your cat:

Cat Dancer Products Rainbow Charmer: Similar to the cat wands with feathers and bells, this toy allows you to enjoy playtime with your cat. However, they’ll still have fun with it, even when you’re not holding the other end.

A dancing fish: This toy by AmazinglyCat will entertain everyone in the room. The rechargeable, life-like fish flops around just like the real thing. Your cat will go nuts for it, and it’s sure to spark some human laughs, as well.

Catnip toys: Cats love the ‘nip, and the best way to give it to them is with catnip-filled toys. These cloth fish from SmartyCat contain more than a little ‘nip. They also make those crinkly noises cats love and have some fun feathers, too.

Feliway to Calm Any Anxiousness

Whether you adopt a cat or a small kitten, it’s likely to be stressed out about moving into a new home. If you’re introducing a new cat to one or more that you already have, your original brood might experience some stress and anxiety as well.

You can help calm all your kitties down with Feliway. This vet-recommended natural diffuser helps reduce stress in cats and makes them feel more relaxed. Just plug it into any outlet in a room where your new cat is hanging (or hiding) out the most.

Scratchers and Trees

Cats have certain natural tendencies that aren’t always appreciated by their humans. Two of these are climbing and scratching. To help keep your cats off the shelves and prevent them from scratching up your couch, they need their own territory to scratch and climb on.

We recommend the following items:

A cat tree: These give your cat something safe—both for her and all the breakables on your shelves and counters—to climb. The Catry Large Activity Tree also has a scratching post on every level, so your cat will feel comfortable and enjoy lazing around on it. There’s even a dangling ball kitty can bat around. It’s also a good place for a nap or 10.

A good scratching post: Even if you have a cat tree that doubles as a scratching post like the one above, you can never have too many. In fact, the more safe places your cat has to dig his claws into, the better. The SmartCat Pioneer Scratching Post has been much-beloved by cat owners for years. It’s sturdy and tall enough (32 inches) for your cat to really stretch out while scratching it. He’ll love it!

A Breakaway Cat Collar

While you should consider getting your pet microchipped, a good collar will come in handy if your kitty is an escape artist. Some cats are notorious for slipping out of the house when you’re not looking.

That’s where a breakaway collar comes in. The safety buckle ensures your cat won’t get injured if she gets hung up on a fence or bush. Lupine’s Safety Collars also come with a lifetime guarantee and replacement policy, even if your pet chews the thing apart.

A Cat Carrier

Whether you’re traveling with your cat on vacation or taking him to the vet, a carrier is a must. Rather than the hard plastic carriers, consider investing in something a little more comfortable for your kitty.

The Henkelion Carrier is made of durable lightweight polyester and comes in six different colors. It’s airline-approved and has a shoulder strap for easy carrying. It’s also collapsible for easy storage when it’s not in use.

Grooming Supplies

If you have a longhaired cat, you might want to take her to a groomer. There are some grooming supplies you’ll want at home, though, to keep kitty clean or prevent her from getting tangled matted fur.

Below are a few cat grooming products we like:

A grooming kit: This affordable kit from Bumiews will help you reduce shedding and keep kitty’s coat tangle-free. It also comes with nail trimmers, so you can snip them every few months. It also includes two cute sunflower collars to prevent your cat from nibbling on or licking stitches after you get them spayed or neutered.

Shampoo: Cats keep themselves pretty clean, but if he ever gets into something stinky or messy (or has a bathroom accident), you might have to do some of the cleanup for him. This Two-in-One Cat Shampoo by Arm & Hammer is perfect because it also reduces dander and helps prevent hairballs.

Flea and Tick Control

You’ll also want to talk to your veterinarian about which flea and tick control product you should use. These are very important for your cat’s optimal health.

Your veterinarian will likely recommend and/or prescribe a certain brand. She can also let you know which over-the-counter brands she recommends, and which you should avoid due to any other treatments your cat is receiving.

Stain- and Odor-Remover

Don’t forget to stock up on some cleaning products to help battle pet odors and stains. Kittens that are just learning to use the litter box and senior cats might have accidents.

We like this Stain & Odor Eliminator by Rocco & Roxie. It gets rid of any urine smells, so your cat won’t keep returning to the same spot to make new messes.

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Bringing home a new pet is an exciting and important event! After you peruse this list and purchase your supplies, you can relax and just enjoy your new kitty, knowing he’ll have everything he needs.