New Kitten Shopping List - Basic Supplies
Adopting a Cat? A Visit to the Pet Supply Store is in Order
Jul 3, 2009
Adopting a new kitten or cat is an exciting experience, but before bringing that new feline friend home for the first time, the new pet owner will need to go shopping for basic pet supplies.
The largest selection and best prices on pet supplies tend to be found at larger pet supply stores like Petco and Petsmart, or via online pet supply retailers. Pet boutiques tend to have much higher prices on cat supplies, though this is where new cat owners are most apt to find some very unique and high-end cat beds, cat bowls and premium all-natural pet foods.
When adopting a cat or kitten, the following basic pet supplies will need to be purchased.
Purchasing Premium Cat Food
When it comes to buying pet food, you get what you pay for. Less expensive bargain brand pet foods may seem like a good way to save money, but the cat must eat more food to fulfill his nutritional needs. In addition, poor quality cat food taxes the cat's body over time, making the organs work harder to process the food. This leads to nutritional deficiencies in the long-term.
Purchase a premium, all-natural cat food (or kitten food in the case of a kitten, who requires a higher fat and protein content and different vitamins and minerals to encourage proper growth). In the long term, this will help pet owners save money on vet bills, since the cat is apt to be healthier. The cat must also eat less of the premium cat food to get the essential nutrients.
Pet owners should always look for a cat food that's free of artificial coloring, which is used for the benefit of the owner, not the cat, who is not going to care about the color of his food.
Buying a Cat Bed
Cats tend to prefer sleeping areas that are cozy and sheltered; this means that plain pillow-style cat beds are often ignored. Basket-style cat beds are often very popular, as are "cubes" and tent-style cat beds.
When purchasing a cat bed, owners should look for quality stitching and durable construction, as the cat bed will require regular laundering.
Purchasing Cat Bowls for Food and Water
When purchasing new cat food and water bowls, opt for stainless steel or ceramic pet bowls.
Plastic pet bowls should be avoided because over time, microscopic scratches develop in the plastic. These scratches will harbor bacteria, which can then cause facial acne and infections.
Opt for a cat water bowl that holds at least two cups of water to ensure that the cat has constant access to water.
Buying a Cat Litter Box
Cats tend to favor covered litter boxes for the privacy they provide; cat owners also tend to favor covered litter boxes because they lessen litter box odor, while also containing the cat litter and preventing it from ending up on the surrounding floor — a common problem associated with uncovered litter boxes.
A good cat litter scoop is also essential for convenient cleanings. Remember that the shape of the litter box will determine what type of litter scoop should be purchased. Square and rectangular litter boxes will require a scoop with a flat edge, while circular litter boxes will require a scoop with a curved edge.
There are several different types of cat litter available - crystal cat litters, clumping clay litters and natural pine cat litter. Crystal cat litter is great for busy cat owners who may not be able to clean the litter box daily. Clumping clay litters make for easy cleaning, but some brands tend to have only limited odor control. And natural pine cat litter is a bit less convenient when it comes to cleaning the litter box, but it tends to control odors very well.
Brushes for Cat Grooming
When bringing a kitten home, it's important to introduce grooming and brushing as part of the daily routine. This makes the cat more apt to enjoy brushing and grooming as an adult, which means less cat hair on the carpet, furniture and clothing.
A slicker-style brush works well for shorthair cats with a fine coat, while a paddle-style brush is more ideal for longhair cat breeds and shorthair cat breeds with a very thick coat.
Owners of a new kitten or cat may also want to consider purchasing cat toys, a clawing post, a pet bowl placemat, a litter box mat, healthy cat treats, flea and tick medication, a cat window seat and bitter apple spray, which can be applied to household plants to prevent the cat from chewing and eating the foliage.
Related Articles on Cat Adoption
Readers may also enjoy Adopting a Cat: Introducing a New Cat to Your Home and Tips for Naming a Kitten or Cat.
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