If you're planning to adopt a cat, congratulations on soon becoming a cat servant! However, before you start, it's important to have a comprehensive understanding of cat-related knowledge and skills. This article is sure to save you time and help you avoid common pitfalls!

Essential Cat Supplies for Cat Beginners:

1.    Cat Bed or Cat House: Cats are creatures that love to sleep and hide. A hidden and comfortable environment is very important!

2.    Food and Water Bowls: Provide clean food and water for your cat. Choose appropriate cat food to ensure a balanced diet.

3.    Cat Litter and Litter Box: Provide a clean litter box for your cat's toileting needs. Ideally, have one more litter box than the number of cats in your home (N+1 rule).

4.    Scratching Post: Provide suitable places for your cat to scratch and stretch their claws.

5.    Grooming Supplies: Nail clippers, hair care products, etc.

6.    Cat Toys: Cats are natural hunters. Cat toys can help them expend energy and relieve stress.

7.    Travel Supplies: When you need to take your cat outside, provide a safe and comfortable mode of transportation.

8.    Cat Tree or Cat Climbing Tower: Cats love to be in high places. These items provide them with opportunities to play and climb.

1 | Cats Love Hiding and Comfortable Nooks

Cats often like to hide under beds, sofas, or in various nooks and crannies. Some new cat owners may try to block these areas, thinking that preventing cats from accessing them will solve the problem. However, cats have a natural instinct to seek hiding spots. Hiding and sleeping in secluded areas is a primitive instinct for them as wild animals. By curling up and resting in a corner, they reduce the chances of being attacked by potential threats.

Normally, adult cats can spend 14-18 hours a day sleeping. Some lazy cats may even sleep for 20 hours out of a 24-hour day. This is because cats have the physiological traits of predators. Physiologically, hunting for cats is an explosive burst of energy that requires a significant amount of energy to sustain. Adequate sleep helps relieve fatigue in their bodies, preparing them for the next hunting session with renewed strength and energy.

Therefore, providing comfortable hiding places and cozy beds for your cats is an important task for cat owners. If you have one cat, it is recommended to have at least two hiding spots. In a multi-cat household, it's best to provide each cat with more than one hiding spot so that they all have their own safe space.

2 | Cat Bowls / Dishes / Cat Water Fountain

Using ceramic or stainless steel cat supplies is the recommended choice because they are safe, non-toxic, and resistant to bacterial growth and odors. You should also pay attention to the material of cans that can be microwaved or refrigerated. However, avoid using plastic products as they can harbor bacteria and may cause acne-like bumps on the cat's chin. Additionally, do not place the water and food bowls near the litter box because nobody likes to eat next to the toilet.

Cats need to consume 240-300ml of water per day. The recommended "total water intake" for a cat is approximately their body weight multiplied by 40 to 60 (ml). For example, a 5kg cat should ideally consume between 200ml to 300ml of water per day. It's advisable to place water bowls in different locations throughout the house, and if you have multiple cats, the number of water bowls should be greater than the number of cats.

3 | Cat litter / Litter box / Cat toilet

Cats have a natural instinct to use a litter box. It's their innate nature to bury their faeces to prevent predators from tracking them. For kittens or newly added cats, you simply need to pick them up and place them in or near the litter box to let them know there's a place to dig. Once they become familiar with the location, they will go in on their own to do their business.

There are various types of cat litter, broadly categorized as clumping and non-clumping. If you use non-clumping litter, it is recommended to use a double-layered litter box. If you use clumping litter, a single-layered litter box will suffice.

The recommended dimensions for a litter box should be about 1.5 times the length of the cat (the length is approximately from the nose to the base of the tail).

In general, it's best to provide one more litter box than the number of cats you have, so that each cat has enough space to use. However, if space is limited in your home, having one clean and spacious litter box is more suitable than having multiple small boxes. Alternatively, you can consider using an automatic cat toilet.

4 | Cat Scratching Post

If you're not ready to provide a suitable cat scratching post for your cat, you're likely to see them scratching your furniture. Cats have a natural need to scratch, which serves as an outlet for their emotions, a way to mark their scent, and an important aspect of claw maintenance. However, different cats have preferences for different materials of scratching posts. You may need to try out several different types, such as corrugated cardboard, sisal rope, or softwood, to see which one your cat likes the most. Additionally, it's worth trying out scratching posts with different shapes, such as horizontal, vertical, or angled. This provides your cat with more options and keeps the game engaging for them. Furthermore, it's best to place scratching posts in different corners of your home so that your cat can easily find them at any time.

5 | Cleaning Supplies: Nail Clippers, Grooming Comb, Toothbrush

Why do cats need their nails trimmed? Let's first understand the structure of a cat's nails. The nails of feline species are retractable, meaning that when they're in a relaxed state, the ligaments automatically fold the claws. However, if a cat's nails become too long, they may still protrude even in a relaxed state. This can affect their ability to walk and may even puncture the paw pads, leading to injuries and infections.

Typically, a cat's nails need to be trimmed every 2 to 5 weeks. Even when nail trimming is not necessary, we can still check the growth of the cat's nails on a weekly basis. This way, we can not only trim the nails as needed but also help the cat get accustomed to the sensation of having their nails touched. This habit helps ensure that the cat's nails stay at an appropriate length.

While cats usually groom themselves by licking their fur, regular grooming with a comb helps remove any loose hair and accumulated dirt that could contribute to hairballs.

6 | Cat Toys

Cats are natural hunters, and when they see a moving object, they often instinctively chase and attack it, as if they're pursuing real prey. Therefore, when we provide interactive cat toys, small balls, or fake mice for them to chase, it satisfies their innate hunting instincts. When cats successfully catch these "prey" in the game, it also enhances their confidence and establishes a sense of control over their territory.

Many owners complain about cats frequently scratching, biting hands, feet, or furniture. The main reason for this behavior is that they haven't provided cats with appropriate outlets for their energy. By engaging and playing with cats in a timely manner, we can teach them to distinguish which items are appropriate to scratch and bite, while also helping them expend excess energy. This effectively prevents cats from engaging in inappropriate biting behavior.

7 | Outdoor Travel Gear

Cats are typically small animals that prefer to stay in their own territory and are not fond of going outdoors. However, there are situations where cats need to venture outside, such as for spaying/neutering surgeries, receiving preventive vaccinations, seeking medical treatment, or traveling back to their hometown for holidays. Therefore, we need to prepare a safe outdoor container for cats to use. The two common forms of cat travel gear are outdoor carriers and cat backpacks.

In general, the design of a carrier allows cats to have more space to move around inside, and the sturdy shell provides better protection for the cat. The height of the cat travel container should allow the cat to stand comfortably, while the width should be sufficient for the cat to turn around, sit, and lie down inside the carrier. Having a container that is too large or too small can increase the risks during transportation. Additionally, the outdoor container should have good ventilation. Insufficient ventilation can lead to lack of oxygen or heat stroke for the cat, which is extremely dangerous and can be life-threatening. Therefore, when choosing a cat outdoor travel container, it is crucial to consider good ventilation.

8 | Cat Jumping Platform / Cat Climbing Frame / Cat Tree

A cat jumping platform, also known as a cat tree or cat climbing frame, is a large toy designed specifically for cats. It consists of sturdy panels and pillars. When vertical space is limited in a home or when the cat is larger in size, choosing a durable and sturdy cat jumping platform becomes particularly important. This not only ensures the safety of the cat but also meets their climbing and activity needs.

Especially for multi-cat households, a sturdy and weight-bearing cat jumping platform can withstand the weight of multiple cats. It also helps to divide the activity areas, reducing friction and conflicts between them. Such a facility provides each cat with their own independent space, allowing them to have their own territory and activity range.

In addition to purchasing the necessary items mentioned above, ensuring the safety of the home environment is also crucial!

Here are some precautions to keep in mind:

• Install protective screens on windows and balconies to prevent cats from escaping or falling. This ensures they have a safe area between indoors and outdoors.

• Check the locks on doors to ensure they can withstand the risk of cats opening them. Many cats are skilled at opening doors, and some owners have lost their feline companions due to this!

• Secure fragile items to prevent them from being broken and potentially harming the cat or yourself. Additionally, maintaining a tidy home can reduce the chances of accidents occurring.

• Safely handle electrical wires, items that should not be chewed on, small objects that can be easily swallowed, toxic plants, etc. to prevent cats from biting or ingesting them. The best approach is to properly store these items rather than relying on pepper spray or punishing them to prevent such behaviors.

• The kitchen is a place that requires special caution. Sharp objects and cleaning agents should be properly stored. Cats may be curious about these items, so maintaining kitchen safety is crucial for their well-being.

• Treat your cat as a mobile little baby. They may not be aware of what is dangerous or harmful to them. Curiosity can lead to unfortunate consequences, so providing a safe home environment is of utmost importance.

I hope you have a wonderful time with your cat! 😄