hello all! recently I have been in the process of deciding what kind of pet to get. I live in a very small space (I have a dorm room all to myself, but that's still not a lot!) and on the second floor, so, despite my lifelong love of dogs, I realized a cat might be the more viable option. besides, I've always thought cats were pretty cute. I've just never owned one myself, so I didn't really know what I was getting into, and that made me kind of rail against it for a while.
now, though, I've spent some time researching cats. there were many youtubers I found helpful for this, but most helpful of all was Jackson Galaxy, or the My Cat From Hell guy. between videos from him & several other creators, I was able to gather a list of Basic Cat Supplies, which is as follows:
- food bowls, of course: shallow, stainless steel bowls are best. the stainless steel is easier to clean and less likely to cause your cat to develop chin acne (which, yes, is possible!), and the dish has to be shallow in order to prevent whisker fatigue.
- food: some people seem to say only wet food is necessary, while others say you should feed a mix of wet and dry, but wet food is necessary because cats actually get most of their water intake from their food!
- litter box: something with high walls is good, and it should be big enough for the cat to move around in. I got one where the cat enters from the top of the box, which should help with litter getting everywhere & help keep my family's dog out of it when we're at home.
- litter: the consensus seems to be that something natural & unscented is best. also, everyone seems to hate clay.
- scratchers: apparently a wide variety are acceptable and it's just kind of up to your cat's preference. for now, I've opted to get a cardboard scratcher, since they're the cheapest & most portable option, but after Christmas, I plan to order a cat tree that will include a proper scratching post!
- collar: if you're going to get your cat a collar, it's important to get a breakaway collar. that way, if they get stuck on something, they don't injure themselves trying to get free. it's also important to avoid bells, as they can damage your cat's hearing. but you should make sure to get a tag for your cat that includes your contact information, in case they slip out!
- toys: another one that is largely up to the cat's preference. one thing that's important seems to be one of those string and rod toys. cats see play as a bonding experience, so having a toy that lets them play with you is important! on this note, you should be careful to make sure your cat doesn't come to see your hand itself as a toy. I also ordered some of those little plastic cat springs. I eventually plan on getting some little balls and things, and maybe one of those self-play tiered things with the balls, for when I'm out.
- beds: cats feel safer in enclosed spaces, so it's best to get cave style beds. also, try to put them on elevated surfaces, as this will make your cat feel safer.
- a carrier: getting a comfortable carrier is important for making sure that your cat has a good experience when traveling, and that it is safe while you are driving. it can also double as an extra bed when you're not traveling - leaving the carrier out, in fact, will help teach your cat that it isn't something to be feared.
if you are also looking into getting your first ever cat, I hope this list helps you out!