photo credit: ~SeaChelle~

If you are thinking about purchasing a cute little kitten as a new addition to your home then there are some steps that you have to take to ensure that the transition for your cat and you is as easy and headache free as possible. The first thing that you need to do before purchasing a cat is to do up a quick budget and see if you can afford one. There will be many different things that you have to purchase to make sure that your kitty loves their new home. Some of these items will be once off costs that you have to pay for in the beginning like a cat carrier and a water and food bowl and others will be ongoing costs that need to be paid for on a regular basis such as cat food and kitty litter. Below is a list of some of the cat supplies that you might need to buy your cat to keep it healthy and happy.

It is always good to have the majority of these items before your cat comes into their new home. This will ensure no last minute panic and keep everything nice and calm so your new friend adjusts to their surroundings quickly and easily.

Cat Supplies You Must Have for a Happy and Healthy Cat

The supplies that are a must come under four different groups which are:

• Cat Safety

• Cat Food and Supplies

• Litter Box Needs

• Comfort and Enjoyment

Below these categories are broken down to show what you should have before your cat comes home.

Cat Safety

This is the most important of all and includes:

• Cat ID Collar

• Cat Collar

• Cat Carrier

Having the above items will ensure that if your cat gets lost you will be able to trace him if picked up by authorities and having a cat carrier is definitely a must for transporting your cat to places like the local veterinarian.

Cat Food and Supplies

As we all know, cats love their food so having this ready means that you can serve up a big delicious meal as your new loved one walks through the door. This includes:

• Healthy, nutritious cat food

• A water bowl

• A food bowl

Litter Box Needs

If you do not want your kitten leaving nice little presents all over your floor then make sure that you have the items below and that the litter tray is in an accessible place for your cat.

• Cat Litter Box Shovel

• Cat Litter Box

• Cat Litter

Cat Supplies for Comfort and Enjoyment

If you want your cat to really enjoy the new surroundings that you have provided then having a few toys around and a nice cosy bed will really help. Supplies for comfort and enjoyment include:

• Cat toys that are safe and fun for your cat to play with

• A cat tree or climbing structure

• A Cat Bed

Try to Purchase Quality Supplies

Buying top quality cat supplies, or any pet supplies for that matter will always yield dividends in the long run. Only the top quality products will survive the pressure that a young and fun loving animal will put on them. If you are on a low budget then try to buy the best quality that you can afford, or even try to make some of the above at home. A cat climbing area can be quite easily put together with some simple tools and materials. Whatever course you take, make sure that it is safe for your pet.

Other Cat Supplies and Considerations

The Humane Society of the United States has some great articles on cat care that can be found here: Cat Care. One of the articles lists an additional 10 essential tips for caring for your cat that includes:

• Placing a collar and ID tag on your cat that contains your name, address and telephone number. Having these things will greatly increase your chances of finding your lost loved one again.

• Following local cat registration laws is a must as they are put in place to protect both the cats and the local people. These laws can be different so check with your local council.

• Keep your cat indoors or safely confined in an outdoor cattery.

• Make sure that you take your cat into your local veterinarian for checkups on a regular basis. If you cannot find a veterinarian or they are too expensive then head into the local animal shelter as they will have trained animal handlers. Also, call on experienced cat owners; this can be your best source of information.

• Have your cat spayed or neutered to keep them healthier and reduce the chances of cat overpopulation.

• Make sure that your cat receives a highly nutritional and balanced diet and ensure that there is always access to fresh, clean water.

• A bit of training goes a long way. Cats can be trained if the work is put in. Try to stop them from scratching furniture and jumping onto countertops. This will make looking after your cat a lot less stress and lead to a much more loving relationship.

• Try and groom your cat often to keep their coat healthy, shiny, and dirt free. This is even more important in long haired cats. Look here for more information about grooming your cat

• Make sure that you have bountiful amounts of time to play with your cat. Cats do not need the same amount of exercise as dogs but they still enjoy play sessions. It will help to prevent your cat from becoming bored and thus leading to bad behaviour.

• Most of all, be loyal, loving and patient with your cat. Make sure that you do not have too high of expectations for your new pet. Veterinarians, animal trainers, and animal shelters will all be able to give you advice on how to prevent bad behaviour.

When purchasing cat supplies, consider purchasing online. Most online store prices will be cheaper than offline stores and you will have access to a much larger variety. This is a great place to find online cat supplies and here is another good guide on litter training kittens. Be aware though, if you are purchasing supplies for a new pet that is on the way, consider postage times. It would be no good to have a new puppy or kitten show up to only find out that all those wonderful supplies that you ordered are still two weeks away.

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Tags: cat food supplies, cat grooming supplies, cat pet supplies, Cat Supplies, pet cat supplies