cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/2608895
So far, I’m to get:
Unscented cat litter.
Litter box (Get 1 more litterbox than cats you own, they like having options.) (get two)
Cat treehouse
Cat brush
Bed
Treats
Bowl
Water bowl (use purified or watered bottle, preferably; filtered water is also fine)
Urine chemicals and destroyers
Cat carrier.
https://www.chewy.com/naturally-fresh-unscented-clumping/dp/171577
https://www.chewy.com/inaba-churu-chicken-variety-creamy/dp/666742
https://www.greenies.com/products/feline-greenies-adult-dental-cat-treats-catnip-flavor-975-oz-tub
Go to the vet at least once a year.
Get vaccinated at least once a year.
food portions are depending on cat’s weight buy toys/balls/cat lasers ,its good to exercise
organic cat grass
cat water-fountain
Lots of soft places to sleep, some high & some low
scratching post
balanced diet (good dry food (I use hills) and cans of wet food)
It’s better to split the food like 3/4 of a cup in the morning and 3/4 of a cup in the evening with treats
Have multiple water bowl options they can choose from and keep them clean
Clean the litter box every day-- twice.
Hairball preventative made up of petroleum jelly.
It’s best to use the lunch paper bags (to clean their waste)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/176379804268
Get some dewormer or other medical supplies like a flea treatment so you have it on hand if in need, if you can afford it.
Cat tooth-paste (they love malt flavor).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/353440574835
https://www.ebay.com/itm/353440574835
Start with a teaser toy for the cat.
Use Purina Pro Plan Urinary for adult cats. It’s at Petsmart, but little pricey. Other options available. Just give them 1/3 of dry (AM/PM) and split one can amongst the three. Cats eating habits differ.
Micro-chip it ASAP!
Find a good vet, preferably one that specializes in cats. Follow their advice. Find a list of plants that are toxic to cats – never, ever have lilies in your house or yard. Consider that strictly indoor cats live up to 10 years longer than cats that go outside.
Cat springs
https://www.amazon.ca/Ethical-Pet-Durable-Plastic-Colorful/dp/B000CMKHDG
Pet insurance is very good advice. Maybe ask your existing car/renter/whatever insurer if they offer it, sometimes they’ll give you a discount to bundle things.
Avoid wheat, gluten, & or corn as filler as much as you can.
The above is everything that people have suggested to me.
If anyone has any brands to suggest or maybe extra things that aren’t on this list, let me know.
Also, advice on raising a cat.
Well-known as well as obscure advice.
Don’t spend too much on individual toys, you don’t know what they’ll be in to, it depends on the cat. Get a few of different kinds to start. Mine really likes the little fake mice. Almost universally they seem to like the feather wands, the ones with fishing line.
Cats love churu, amazon has the best price I’ve found on the box of 60. My cat is allergic to chicken so be on the look out for that. Before we figured it out he was just about shaving his ass bald. Apparently it’s not that uncommon. Vets had no idea.
Cardboard scratch pads are a must.
The window shelves are amazing, I have one in every room upstairs. They really like being able to see outside and getting up off the floor away from stuff. I like these, suction cups feel sketchy to me
If you get them something and they don’t use it don’t stress about it, just leave it out and they’ll come around. Mine at least it’s almost like he is programmed to do the opposite of what I want him to do. I got him a scratching post and he didn’t use it for almost a year.
GET AN AUTOMATIC FEEDER FOR THE LOVE OF GOD unless you enjoy 3 AM wake ups. We started out just doing the night feeds and letting the feeder get the morning which still worked well to establish a good bond. Now we just let the feeder do its thing.
I agree 1.5 cups is too much food. My 60lb dog eats 2 cups a day. I would advise weighing his food with a scale. My cat eats 40 grams a day and he’s a BIG cat (14 lbs). If you think about it a 4 gram difference is 10% of his intake which is a lot but imperceptible if you aren’t measuring or trying to go by volume.
Enjoy it, I love my cat so much it’s unreal. He’s a menace though. It’s amazing what he gets away with, my dog could only wish lol
Some cats can handle open feeding. If they’ve never starved before, that is.
Mine is a pig he eats so fast he pukes, we have to split his intake up into 4 meals