Essential Cat Supplies

Whether you are adopting an adult cat, or bringing home a new kitten, there are a few essential cat supplies that you will need to welcome your new kitty into your home.

Cat Litter and Tray
One of the key essentials,  a cat litter tray provides a defined and sanitary place for your cat to relieve themselves.  It is important to have the litter tray set up before introducing your cat into your home, and make sure that they can find is easily, in order for them to learn that this is the place that you want them to go.  

Cat litters vary a great deal in cost and quality, and some cats can be picky about the type of litter that they will use so you may need to experiment with a few brands before finding one that both you and your cat are happy with.

Cat Collar
Your cat’s collar can be as basic or as flamboyant as you want, but above all it should be comfortable.  If you are bringing home a kitten you will probably need to buy a smaller collar now and a full sized one in a few months.

Cat Bed
Although most cats will decide for themselves on the comfiest spot in your home and quickly take up residence there it is important that they have a space that is exclusively theirs, where they can feel comfortable and safe.  Cat beds are sold in a wide variety of sizes and styles,  so you can choose one that fits in with the decor of your home and the space available.

Food and Water Bowls
Your cat will need his own food and water dishes.  These should be kept at a comfortable height for your cat to reach easily.  Bowls with non-slip feet are great if you will be feeding your cat on a hard surface to stop the bowl from sliding around the floor.  Auto-feeders are also available which will make sure your cat always has the right amount of food when he wants it.  

Food and Treats
There is a wide variety of specialty cat food on the market, so choose the highest quality that you can afford and look for any varieties that are designed for your cat´s specific needs, for example if he is elderly, overweight or an exotic breed.

Grooming Supplies
Cats are great at keeping themselves clean, but it doesn´t hurt to give them a helping hand.  Brushing you cat regularly can help to decrease hairballs as well as reduce the amount of shed hair in your home.  You may also want to buy some basic healthcare items such as ear drops, claw clippers and flea and tick treatments.

Scratching Post and Toys
Cats need to scratch to keep their claws in good condition.  If you want to avoid them tearing up your furniture or even walls make sure there is somewhere for your cat to relieve this natural urge.  There are some amazing, elaborate scratching posts available that offer your cat places to play and rest as well as trim his claws, however there are also more cost and space saving options.  It is advisable to start small and work your way up, as with all things, cats can be particular about where they like to scratch.

Cat Carrier
You will need a secure way to transport your cat to and from vet visits.  Choose between soft and foldable carriers to more robust crates.  A great trick to stop your cat from becoming nervous while in his carrier is to keep it out in your home at all times, as an alternative bed.  Place a snuggly blanket inside and occasionally encourage your cat to get in by putting a treat or two inside.

Choosing a Cat Litter Tray

Dealing with cat litter is probably one of the biggest drawbacks to owning a cat.  While we love their furry faces, affectionate nose bumping and playful moments,  few cat owners relish the task of cleaning up their pet´s toilet area.  Fortunately there are a large variety of litter trays that reduce odour and make cleaning quick and easy.

Basic rectangular plastic litter trays cost just a few pounds,  but it is well worth upgrading to a slightly more expensive version to save on mess, smells and hassle.  Cat urine is slightly corrosive, so line a plastic litter tray with newspaper or a litter tray liner to keep the tray from becoming pitted and difficult to clean.  Using a clumping litter allows you to scoop out any urine regularly without the need to fully empty and clean the tray, keeping the litter tray fresher.  Some cat litter also contains deodorizing ingredients which help to reduce nasty smells, and this type of cat litter is well worth investing in, especially if you have more than one cat in your home.

A cat litter tray with a rim can stop litter from being kicked out of the tray while your cat is scratching.  Some cat litter trays also feature higher walls at the back and sides to protect against this problem even further.

However, the peak of cat litter tray design is the fully enclosed style which provides a little privacy for cats while keeping everything discreetly hidden from any humans in the room.  These litter trays come with a hood or cover which stops any litter from escaping, and air filters to help eliminate odors.  The downsize is that these litter trays resemble cat carriers, so some cats may be put off switching from a conventional open tray to an enclosed one.

Controlling Litter Tray Odor In Your Home

You can ask any cat owner who keeps a litter tray in their home and they will tell you that not all cat litters are the same. Some are better than others at clumping while others may be better at masking the odor. Finding the right litter for your cat tray is a large step to controlling the odor. But once you have found a litter that works good for you and your cat does not resist it by being finicky as they are known to do you still have to put in some effort to ensure that odor does not take over your home.

Keeping the pan clean makes it easier for the cat litter to do its job. Occasionally remove all the litter and scrub the tray out to keep it from absorbing odor. This will also encourage you to completely change out the litter more frequently making it more effective at clumping and masking odors. Do not be afraid to fill up the tray either. Plenty of litter can absorb the excrement and odor better and will encourage your cat to bury it. Adding some baking soda into the litter will also help cut down on the odors since baking soda is known for absorbing odor. Of course some litters have this inside already but adding more will not do any harm and will only help.

Keep all of the waste scooped out and the area clean around the litter tray at all times. If there is noting inside of the tray the odors cannot settle in and make your home smell bad. If you also ensure that the litter tray is placed in a well ventilated area and use a air purifier around the box you will not allow the odor to permeate the room where the tray is located. This may sound like a lot of work but if done frequently and kept clean the job is actually easier to do.

The Best Ways To Keep Your Litter Tray Clean

A very large part of keeping the odor from the litter tray from becoming a problem in your home is keeping the box clean. If there is nothing in the box but clean litter than there will not be anything inside that can produce a smell that takes over the room or even worse your whole house.

Of course the problem with this is nobody really wants to clean out the cat litter tray. Even with the best litter it does not really smell good and the job can get really dirty if not done often enough. But frequent cleaning is the key that will keep the odor down and keep the job from becoming so bad you are tempted to throw out the tray and start over with a new one.

Using litter tray bags can help make cleaning the cat box less hands on and much quicker. These bags line the bottom of the litter tray so that all you have to do is place it inside and fill with litter. When the time comes to clean out the tray simply wrap up the bag and take it outside. Then insert a new bag and new litter and the tray is ready again for next time. Of course some cat owners choose to scoop out the waste in-between times they take out the bag. This makes each bag and litter last longer and keeps the tray from beginning to stink between cleanings.

Many find the combination of litter tray bags and scooping out between changes a perfect combination for avoiding a dirty job and keeping the smell to its absolute minimum so that it is not obvious to everyone that walks in that you have a cat. While no body likes to clean the cat litter tray you can make it as easy as possible to do.