Hey everyone! About a year ago, I adopted my two cats, Max and Mumu and this is my cat adoption checklist to make your home cat-ready!
You can check out my Amazon wishlist for the links to the products.
photos: Pawsome Twins | Instagram
photos: Pawsome Twins | Instagram
Pet Carrier
Most rescue homes or shelters may not be able to provide you with a carrier for your pet.
However, even if a box is provided, I do recommend investing in a decent, regular-sized, airline-approved carrier, so that your cat can be accustomed to using it from the beginning.
Tip: If you adopt a kitten, I would still recommend getting them a cat-sized carrier so that it can be used for a longer period of time and they will have their scent marked on it.
Use separate carriers, if you are bringing home multiple cats but if it is kittens or siblings, you can put them in one carrier to reduce their stress.
Cat Litter
One of the best things about cats is that they use the litter box and do not need to be taken out.
However, choosing the right kind of litter is important.
If your cat is already accustomed to a certain type of litter at the shelter or previous home, it is recommended to check and buy the same brand for familiarity and not stress the cat with any new changes.
However, if you are not aware of the litter or it is a stray cat or kitten, soy litter would be a good option due to its high water retention capacity and less smell.
Litter Box and Scoop
There are various kinds of litter boxes in the market, but for the initial days, I would recommend buying an open tray, low-entry litter box (for less mobile cats or small kittens) till they get used to the box.
You can then move on to closed litter boxes and use plenty of treats to try and train them to use them.
Preferences of litter boxes vary from person to person but I would recommend using large litter boxes that have low entry points so that your cat can continue to use them even if it is sick or has undergone any surgeries (such as spaying and neutering)
For a multiple-cat home, train cats to use their designated boxes or keep multiple boxes around the home so that too much litter does not pile up in one box.
Cats will usually avoid going to the loo if the box is not cleaned, leading to all sorts of gastric and urinary infections.
Most litter boxes come with a litter scoop, but if not, ensure you buy one to scoop the poop from your kitty's loo, every day.
Food
This is a tricky one because every vet and every patient has a different opinion about this. Just like children, cats can be very picky about what they eat.
If you get your cat or kitten from a shelter, ask about their food preferences and bring the food accordingly.
If they are strays, give them store-bought good quality dry food with wet food cans 1-2 times a day.
Do not hesitate to try out different brands and see which one your cat likes best.
There are apps available online that help you keep track of food items which are being taken off the shelf or discontinued, so keep a lookout for those.
I usually give my cats dry food and once a day they like to eat wet food.
I will not recommend any food here, since food can vary depending on where you stay and what kind of diet you want your cat to be on.
Food and Water Bowls
While a lot of people do not put much thought into this, you should keep in mind to buy food plates/bowls which have a wide surface area to prevent cat whiskers from touching the surface.
It makes cats uncomfortable, resulting in them not eating food or picking food from the plate onto the floor and eating off the floor.
You can also add water to these bowls but I would recommend you buy a water fountain.
Water Fountain
Cats have evolved from wild animals where stagnant water meant dirty water and prone to predators.
Hence, cats can hesitate a little to drink water from stagnant water bowls and fountains are an excellent + aesthetic way to make cats drink more water.
Scratching Post
Cats are avid groomers and an essential part of that is their nails.
While it is essential to trim their nails (trim, not declaw) either yourself or if you are a newbie, take them to the groomer, I have come to realize that my cats don't need their nails to be trimmed.
They 'shed' their nails because of the scratchers they use.
A scratching post is something you give your cat to scratch on, to hone their claws so that they don't end up scratching your furniture and home items.
These come in different types, posts, mats, beds, ropes, toys, etc.
Cat Bed
While it is true that most cats like to sleep on top of cupboards, in cardboard boxes or in random places in the house, it is essential to get them their own bed that is soft, makes them feel safe and is plush enough to knead on.
You could also consider buying a scratcher bed which would function as a bed and a scratcher.
Cat Tree or places to perch
Cats like to have a view of their entire surrounding and hence like to perch in high places.
Getting them their own wall shelves or a big cat tree not just helps them with their hunting instincts and stay fit and active, but it also allows them to feel comfortable when they are sitting in high spaces.
You can also consider buying hammocks and placing them on windows so that they can stay warm, watch the birdies and perch someplace high.
Toys
Cats unlike dogs do not need to step out of the house for doing their business and usually do not prefer to mingle with other cats.
In such cases, especially if you choose to keep an indoor cat, it will need plenty of enrichment and playtime inside the house.
While there are many interactive toys in the market, a traditional aluminium foil ball or a feather wand is a great way to play with your cat, keeping it fit and maintaining a bond between you and your pet.
Cat tunnels are also great to keep your pet's hunting instinct in check, you can place some treats inside it and wait for your cat to 'hunt' them down inside the tunnel.
Vet and medical records
This one is quite important, so kept it for the last. Before bringing your cat home, do some research about vets in your area.
Ask local rescue groups or other pet owner groups about reliable vets and their experience with them. Also, find out which is the nearest 24/7 emergency pet hospital and register yourself there.
Choose a vet you think suits your requirement best and within days of bringing your cat home, take them to the vet for a quick checkup.
If you are bringing them from a shelter, make sure to ask for their medical records and submit them to the vet for their medical history.
If you pick up a stray, please take it to a vet before taking it home, since there are chances of it having infections or illnesses such as ringworms or flu or open wounds.
There are apps available that help you maintain track of your cat's health and history as well as upload images of various documents and medications.
Good luck with your pet!!
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