If you have resident cats, you may already have some of the required equipment, but because cats are territorial, each cat will need his own food bowl and litter box.
A Carrier
Ideally you should have a carrier for each cat, in case you have an emergency and need to transport all of them at once. Cats that normally get along well may fight when under stress and confined to a small space. The carrier should be made of metal or thick plastic, easy to clean, and equipped with a towel or blanket (bringing a spare towel is a good idea in case the cat has an accident).
Food and Water Bowls
Each pet in a household should have his own food and water bowls. As most cats prefer running water to still water, investing in a cat water fountain can make your new kitty happy.
Food
Stock up on wet and dry food that meets the nutritional requirements of your new cat or kitten.
Litter Box
Each cat in a household should have his own litter box. Most experts say that there should be a box for each cat plus one spare to prevent problems.
Cat Litter
Most cats prefer an unscented, fine-grained litter with very small gravel. Cats hate perfumes and will usually avoid perfumed cat litter.
Bed
All cats should have their own beds as many cats prefer not to share and need to feel that they have a space to call their own. Choose a cat bed that can go in the washing machine for easy cleaning.
Collar with ID Tag
Identification is essential in case the new arrival gets lost outside or is mistaken for a stray and adopted by someone else. The collar should fit snugly but there should be room to insert at least one finger between the collar and neck. Microchipping is also a good idea.
Scratch Post
Every cat needs something to scratch. You can purchase a sisal (twine-wrapped) post from most pet stores, or find a piece of wood with bark and mount it on a wooden base. If the post is wobbly or falls over, the cat may never use it again, so make sure that it’s secure.
Toys
Toys enable cats to get exercise and practice hunting behaviours without killing small animals. They don’t necessarily need to be store-bought – many cats are perfectly happy chasing a piece of string.
Grooming Brush
This is a must for long-haired cats, who will suffer from hairballs otherwise. Short-haired cats often enjoy being groomed as well, even if they don’t need the extra help. A flea comb is also good to have on hand just in case.
Pen or Crate for New Kittens
You can’t watch a new kitten every minute. Kittens may chew electrical cords, run outside and get lost, or get into other trouble. Using a large crate, cage, or pen when you aren’t able to watch the kitten keeps him safe. It also provides the added advantage of allowing the new kitten and other pets to get used to one another gradually, without risk of injury to the kitten. The crate should be big enough for the kitten to run around and play, and should be equipped with food bowls, scratch post, and litter box. Such crates are expensive, but you may be able to rent one from a veterinarian or local animal shelter.
Further Reading
Information for this article was derived from The Perfect Kitten: How to Raise a Problem-Free Cat by Peter Neville and Claire Bessant. This useful resource covers choosing a kitten, kitten development, kitten training, and many other topics.
Jennifer Copley - Jennifer Copley, BFA, BEd, has a diverse base of expertise that includes research, writing, education, pet care, and various other ...
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