1st time cat owner - recommend me some things

[CaptainBarnacles1]

I’m super excited to have put in an application to our local cat shelter to adopt a cat. I’m starting to plan what we need. I’ve never had a cat and I’m completely lost on the Pets at Home website looking at all the different products. I am very cautious of accepting any advice from Pets at home as they have a terrible reputation for recommending and selling inappropriate items for Hamsters (my previous pet) and so I’m looking for advice on

• where do you buy the cat basics (are the things sold at Pets at Home generally safe for cats - I know this might sound odd, but some of the hamster products they sell aren’t safe for hamsters - cages too small, dangerous chew toys etc).
• and any recommendations for any of the below (what do you have that your cat loves)
• litter trays
• cat tree
• scratching post
• Toys

Thanks in advance for any advice

Is this for an indoor cat?

It will be an outdoor cat, thanks

I like zooplus for cat stuff- I've had cat trees from here and horizontal scratchers. (And toys)
I have a tall scratching post from pets at home

I recommend a second cat

Litter, litter trays and food from the supermarket.

Toys also, but they need a cardboard box or two to hide in, play in, jump on and in.

Honestly we bought a bunch of stuff for Dcat and most of it has been ignored.

Litter tray - we bought a cheapie from Cats Protection when we got her. Your shelter may also sell them, if so then get it there as another way to support them! Once she was allowed out she stopped using the litter tray.

Scratching post - ignored. It turns out some cats are vertical scratchers and some horizontal, mine is a horizontal scratcher so she likes our coir doormat and carpets more than any post.

Cat tree - ignored. Useful if you have a toddler or dog and cat needs somewhere high up but otherwise wouldn’t bother.

Toys - one catnip toy was a success. Rest have been ignored. Her favourite game is chasing scrunched up balls of foil.

An enclosed cat bed (cave shape) - actually she did use this a lot for the first 6-12 months. Then ignored. But still worth it for that first bit.

I know what you mean about hamsters. I got one from a rescue so had actual advice about suitable enclosures and it’s shocking what pets at home will sell.

I think cat stuff is a bit different and it’s harder to get wrong.

For litter trays I always go for the covered, walk in ones.

Best toys for cats in my experience are cardboard boxes and shoelaces. One of mine loves cat toys with that are a stick with a string then something feathery on the end - they get destroyed v quickly though so back to shoelaces, ribbons etc.

The most important thing you will quickly learn about cats is that every single one of them is different and every cat changes their opinion on food, toys, litter trays, beds, etc on a whim! So any recommendations you get here may be great for your cat or may be utterly irrelevant.

FWIW, I've never met a cat that didn't like a laser pointer. Anything with catnip in (but be aware some cats are non responsive to catnip). I've had cats all my life. It was only 5 years ago, when I got my newest cats, that one of them took a liking to a scratching post I have had for decades. Some cats love beds, mine love these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Enjamoy-Calming-Cuddler-Self-Warming-Washable/dp/B08ZCDQWCY/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=2KJCKKD36OXV3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nnNtnNCSQhxL1xNOMWdB-lNA1PJ54WOMJHqguDMRdnZQRU80vJmBrp7bdQE8ctsrXPlXYYHbJIO4uUTbz39fvKDFR8rNH5872z-BeKFXUe7NDt2gfqfnjZ-fBTZm1n0hIGzvtz2CiI7gkUgy1kOOU9IeTOttLY2AMAcOrLS3JK-Zs2B51MUJCYBWgGzsaRi_RiOaqCKfev3a5XXKTclsLLPTNZXBNBWWJzPwl_6pJz-jVbSHMG6lVBBt_0_N5QW5ID1u2xrrw9ijSfC7h1Q7Vc4dPDkfVnKZ_qcSCQRN23U.bmAAxw-t-yPy5PqbUm0ERfU44tzYfw_CSm5Eg4ikFvs&dib_tag=se&keywords=Cat%2Bbed&qid=1770456870&sprefix=cat%2Bbed%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-3-spons&aref=WMDYUjiDu8&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1 but other cats will choose their own place to sleep.

As for where to buy them, I use Amazon, or a pet supplier online. Petsupermarket is good, as is Zooplus.

Can you specify what you mean by this. Your cat will need to be indoors for 6 weeks otherwise it will run away.

The Amazon basics cat tree is a bargain - even if it does make Marvin look like he's sitting in a hat

I do have a couple of cat trees/scratchers but they mostly scratch either door mat as per previous poster or mainly the sides of sofas which they ruin. Also had one that loved scratching wallpaper covered wall.

I think the cat will end up making sure you get it what it wants!

Yes cardboard boxes!! She loves a box.

I think don’t go mad buying stuff till you see what the cat is like. If he/she loves high places then consider a cat tree or cat shelves. For toys, try a piece of string and if that’s popular then try other wand type toys.

Mine did love the laser pointer but I felt so mean when she “caught” it and looked confused as there was nothing there 😆

Absolutely two cats Is just fabulous. Not too much extra cost. You can get multi pet deals on insurance. Ps. Get the best life long insurance cover you can.

Things I bought

Beds (different shapes and sizes)
Bowls
Food mat
litter trays
cat litter (they may not like the one you pick so don’t buy a big bag)
cat food
cat treats
cat tree
cat toys
Mollys mouse cat toy (I definite must)
cat springs (I definite must)
cat brush
Cat carrier

I didn’t bother with collars as I think they are too dangerous. I also bought prescription food rather than the crap at pets at home. I think it’s best to get a range of toys as you’re not going to be sure what the cat likes, mine don’t like balls but love a mouse!

It’s so exciting shopping for a new pet! Enjoy it and let us see you haul!

As well as litter tray, litter, food (dry and wet), bowls (but we use saucers more often than not), the things my cats use and love are a cat tree and a cat bed.

Cat doughnut bed from pets at home, the softest they sell.

Cat tree I can’t remember where it was from, but put it next to a window (mine always been by patio doors) so lazy cat can watch the outside.

Later on a microchip catflap, but let them settle in for several weeks before they go out anyway.

Either pet insurance or put away some money every month for pet care.

Flea and worm treatment and annual vaccinations.

Boxes and a few swirly toys and some toy mice.

cheap scratching boards from pets at home placed strategically near stairs.

But start saving up for the new stairs carpet you will need in a few years time.

Ah how lovely! Lidl and Aldi often have pet weeks, you can go wild.

My top tip is to have a covered litter tray if you can. They are easy to keep clean, keep the smell in and stop litter being scattered about when the cat covers its doings.

Sorry, I’m new to all this cat stuff, I meant it will live in the house but have free access to the garden (and the woods next to the house)

You will learn very quickly the cats likes and dislikes. You will also learn that they will change on a whim. (Although my current cat seems to be very consistent with hers.)

You only need feeding bowls, litter tray, food and litter (find out from the rescue what they are currently using to start with). If it's long haired a brush would be handy too.

I wouldn't buy anything else until you get the cat.
In 40 odd years of cat ownership I've never had a cat tree, and only acquired cat beds (as gifts from people with cats that didn't use them) in the last couple of years.
Toys - find some long feathers or as above cardboard boxes, shoelaces etc
Make sure you have a really good camera on your phone.

Oh and IKEA do these amazing vertical scratching mats that you strap around stairs or table legs

If you want kittens then shelters will often want you to take a pair of siblings anyway.

2 bonded adult cats is also great

I would be wary of putting together two cats who don’t know each other

That is genius

Oh I have read that plastic food bowls aren’t great - I’ve only ever used metal bowls or human plates and saucers for food/water but my cats prefer to drink from my own glass of water when they get the chance.

Ah genius I’d seen those but we don’t have table legs so thought that would be useless. But of course - stairs! My new stairs carpet is being killed so this is genius to put on the stair posts and bannisters

Re feeding bowls: I recommend a visit to your local charity shop and just buy whatever saucers or tea plates they are selling. You can get half a dozen for a pound or two, especially if they are odds.