YOUR NEW PET
CHECKLIST

Food

Cats often have preferences regarding food textures, which is largely determined by what they’re introduced to early in life. If you are bringing a kitten home, introducing them to a variety of textures, flavors, and food types can help keep options open for years to come. But if you have an older cat who has already formed opinions, it may take more work to switch gears.

When it comes to pet nutrition there are several factors to consider: age, weight, preferences, and nutritional needs. Wet food for cats like Weruva Paw Lickin’ Chicken in Gravy Canned Food or Rawz Shredded Tuna & Salmon Recipe Adult Canned Food are moisture-rich options that give cats the hydration they might not get from drinking water alone. Cats that prefer crunchy textures may enjoy a food like Instinct Raw Longevity Grain Free 20% Freeze-Dried Raw Meal Blend with Cage-Free Chicken Dry Food that combines their desired texture with a healthy dose of animal protein.

Toppers & Sides

Adding toppers and sides can expand your cat’s nutritional diversity while still satisfying and meeting their needs. Dry food for cats like Farmina N&D Quinoa Digestion Lamb, Quinoa, Fennel & Mint Dry Food can be combined with Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Cupboard Cuts Beef Meal Topper or Open Farm Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth Meal Topper for a boost of moisture and protein while still providing that crunch they love. It may be a process of trial and error to find just the right mix for your cat, but it’s worth it knowing you’ve found a combo that you can both be happy about.

Bowls

Bowls may seem like merely a style choice, but actually take a little more thought than you’d think. Cats prefer wide and shallow bowls, especially as some cats have whisker sensitivity. And Persians, and other flat-faced cats, may need extra elevation. We strongly recommend dishwasher safe bowls made out of glass or stainless steel, especially if you choose to feed raw. Stainless steel is easy to clean, won’t harbor bacteria, and won’t chip.

Collars & ID Tag

Whether you plan to keep your new friend inside all the time or let them roam the outdoors, collars and ID tags serve as a valuable indicator that this cat already has a home. (Even indoor cats can occasionally find themselves outside and needing assistance!). Cat collars are designed to be quick-release so that it doesn’t become a safety hazard.

Carriers

Cats will need a carrier of their own almost immediately – to get home, to get to the vet, and for emergencies. (We don't advise doubling up multiple cats in one carrier.) Not only will it help with the cat’s stress, but also act as a barrier against enthusiastic dogs and other cats, and hinder escapes. The carrier should be about 1.5 times the size of your cat – enough for them to turn around in.

Scratchers & Scratch Control

As far as your cat is concerned, your home is chock full of scratchers. After one afternoon left alone with your couch, however, you might decide to nudge them in a different direction. Providing your cat with a variety of scratchers with different angles, surface levels, and textures (sisal, carpet, cardboard) can help deter them from damaging your furniture. Adding a pinch of catnip can help enhance the scratcher's appeal and get your cat raring to go. If you’ve a cat that just can’t resist scratching furniture, adhesive strips and sheets, and no-scratch spray – which uses natural herbs to deter cats and their claws – can be extremely beneficial.

Flea & Tick

Even indoor cats can be subject to flea troubles. And when fleas move in, they can be incredibly hard to evict. Your best route is to try to get ahead of the problem with preventative care, but if the fleas have already arrived, there are a wide variety of products, both natural and traditional, to treat your pet and the environment. You’ll need to treat both in order to avoid a recurrence of the problem.

Grooming & Dental

Getting your cats used to dental and nail care early makes it easy to keep up with regular maintenance. Not only is this a good bonding activity, but it also makes catching potential problems early on much easier. Just be sure to reward their patience and good behavior with treats – they’ll remember the reward next time you get out the nail clippers.

Supplements

Cats can’t voice when they are having problems, but they tend to show us in other ways that they need our help. Pay attention to signals like loose stools, excessive grooming, and peeing outside the litter box, which may be symptoms of deeper problems that can be addressed with supplements. Calming supplements can ease pet anxiety that causes over-grooming, and glucosamine and chondroitin are frequently recommended for joint issues. Options like The Honest Kitchen Daily Boosters Instant Goat’s Milk with Probiotics can be mixed into food, making them a good option for cats that won’t take tablets or chews.

Litter Boxes

We recommend one litter box per cat, plus one additional box if space allows. Litter boxes should be big enough to move around in. Cats can manifest stress and territorial issues via their litter boxes, so it’s best to keep the litter boxes regularly scooped. Boxes should be in a quiet but easily accessed spot, with at least one litter box on each story of your home (And don't forget scoops!).

Litter

While there isn’t one perfect litter, the best one is what works for you and your cat. Whether it’s clumping, eco-friendly, or odor controlling, choosing the right litter can make a world of difference.

Stain & Odor

Cats eliminate outside the litter box for numerous reasons, with dirty litter boxes being the top offender. Other reasons may include territorial changes, health concerns, and stress. If your cat is adjusting to changes via a potty protest, you’ll need to have the right cat sanitation tools on hand. When left unchecked, built-up bacteria only makes odors worse.

Interactive Toys

With various attachments such as ribbons, feathers, or even small stuffed animals, wands and teasers entice cats to chase and pounce. Other interactive toys for cats include lasers, balls, rollers, and cat tunnels. These toys tap into your cat’s hunting instincts and offer enriching entertainment that can help deter unwanted behaviors.

Play Alone Toys

Independent toys are a great way to keep cats occupied when we are not around. Batting toys, treat-dispensing toys, and box and puzzle toys for cats are geared to engage cats and keep them entertained and mentally stimulated.

Treats

Keep treats on hand to reward good behavior, to help with training, or to coerce a cat to come to you – because let’s be real: cats generally respond better to bribery than any other kind of pleading or coercion. High meat treats like Vital Essentials Chicken Hearts Freeze-Dried Raw Treats can be a particularly fun reward, while lickable tubes can be added to their bowl of food, or licked straight from the package.