Cat Essentials
There are over 80 recognized cat breeds worldwide, each with unique personalities and physical traits. Mixed breed cats can make just as wonderful companions as purebred cats, though their lineage may be unknown.
As one of the world’s most popular pets, cats can range from independent to very affectionate. A pet counsellor can help match you with the right cat for your family. When introducing a new cat to an existing pet, involve the whole household and allow time for the animals to build a positive relationship.
To provide a happy, healthy atmosphere for your new companion, Petland recommends the following necessary, and fun accessories. We have listed them as your new cat's 4 Basic Needs; Environmental, Behavioural, Nutritional, and Maintenance. When these needs are met, along with a loving environment provided by you, your cat will be purrr-fectly happy!
ENVIRONMENTAL
Cat Furniture – Cats love to explore, climb, and scratch. Scratching helps remove dead claw husks and mark territory, both visually and with scent from glands in their pads, so providing scratching posts and cat furniture is essential. Regular nail trimming can reduce scratching damage, while catnip spray or honeysuckle can encourage use of approved scratching areas. Place scratching posts near the litter box or family room from the first day home to help protect your furniture.
Cat Bed or Mat – A cozy cat bed, perhaps scented with catnip to attract them initially, is a welcoming and secure place to cat nap. Every cat is different when it comes to napping. Some prefer to nap under a table or behind the drapes, others in a closet, while some will choose the back of a chair or couch. Providing a mat or covered bed for your cat will show them that they have a special place all their own, thus protecting your furniture and bedding from excessive hair.
Travel Carrier – Some cats enjoy riding in a car, but most do not. For safety and control, keep your cat in a pet travel bag or carrier while travelling to and from the vet, and for other travel needs.
BEHAVIOURAL
Toys – Cats learn and stay active through play, so provide a variety of safe toys like balls, wand toys, and cat-nip infused toys. Keep dangerous household items such as string, ribbon, tinsel, plastic wrap, rubber bands, and cotton swabs out of reach, as they can be harmful if swallowed.
Catnip, Honeysuckle, Silvervine – These plants make cats more playful and happier. It can be used to “marinate” toys that the cat has lost interest in. They are available in spray, loose, and compacted formats.
Cat Grass – Cats love to chew on the long blades of cat grass. Their wild counterparts consume grass to aid in digestion and get rid of parasites. For our feline companions who are not exposed to parasites in the same way, this is more of an instinctual behaviour.
Collar – Cats can be escape-artists, so although you may have an indoor cat, it is good sense to have a breakaway collar with a bell and ID tag in case they get lost. The breakaway collar will help prevent strangulation should they become entangled.
Outdoor Access – The best way to ensure a long, happy, healthy life for your cat is to keep them indoors, however many people strive to provide an outdoor enrichment experience. In that case, it must be strictly controlled and supervised. Free roaming is generally not recommended in urban areas for the health and safety of your cat, and may violate local by-laws.
If you choose to take your cat for a walk, a harness and lightweight cat leash is the best way to do so, as collars are easy to slip out of. Give your cat some time to get used to the harness by practicing a few times indoors before you venture outside.
If you plan on being close at hand, a lightweight cat tie out attached to a tie out stake is perfect for giving your cat a taste of the outdoors while safely enjoying the fresh air.
Alternatively, you could set up an outdoor “catio” which is a structured, enclosed space that is often large enough to provide a cat post, shade, toys, food, and water for longer outside time.
Repellents – Petland offers a variety of repellents to discourage unwanted cat behaviours like chewing toxic houseplants or scratching furniture. Options include odour or sound deterrent sprays, sticky tape, and electronic training tools. Redirect cats to appropriate alternatives such as cat grass and scratching posts, reinforce good behaviour, and keep their nails trimmed.
NUTRITIONAL
Dry Cat Food – Cats have a strong sense of smell and can be picky eaters, but many premium food options are available that will match their age and lifestyle. A cat’s nutritional needs depend on age and activity level. When bringing home a new cat, continue feeding their current food to avoid stomach upset. Feed measured meals twice daily based on package guidelines to help prevent obesity.
Moisture Additives – Cats are designed to get moisture from their food in addition to their drinking water. This helps with the absorption of nutrients from the food. Apply the additive directly to the dry cat food. Canned food is an easy way to supply extra water content. Goat’s milk contains probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, and has been known to help with many chronic ailments. Bone broth is excellent for joint health and digestion. Cow’s milk should not be offered, as it is difficult to digest. Talk to your pet counsellor to find out which moisture additive is right for your cat.
Treats – Treats play an important part in your cat's day-to-day routine. Treats work well to reinforce good behaviour, and are a tasty break to look forward to! Some treats also help with the elimination of hairballs and tartar buildup.
Skin and Coat Supplement – This is added to your cat's food to develop and maintain a healthy coat and to noticeably reduce shedding! Premium cat foods often will have the necessary ingredients your pet requires; however, with seasonal changes, they will benefit from the addition of a coat supplement.
MAINTENANCE
Dishes – Choose bowls that are easy to clean and hard to knock over. Ceramic or stainless-steel work best, especially for moist foods, as plastic dishes tend to trap odours. Cats have very sensitive whiskers and may not like putting their face in a bowl. If that is the case, a wider bowl may be necessary.
Always having fresh water available is important, as dehydration in cats is a common problem. Most cats tend to drink more if the water is fresh, clean, or moving. Consider getting a fountain water dish. Re-circulating water dishes have carbon filters that remove substances (cats are more sensitive to odours and tastes than we are), providing fresh tasting, filtered water with a multitude of health benefits.
Oral Care – Periodontal disease (infections of the structures around teeth) is the most common clinical condition occurring in adult cats and dogs, with 80% showing signs by 5 years of age. Symptoms could include red & swollen gums, bad breath, pain, and tooth loss. The best defense to maintain oral health is to brush your cat's teeth using a pet-specific toothbrush and toothpaste. Rinses complement brushing by ensuring the whole mouth receives attention. Because cats can't rinse and spit, an easy-to-use drinking water additive is the ideal choice. Gels and foams can also be used. Specialized dental cat food and dental treats are also available, which help clean teeth through chewing action.
Brush and Comb – Cats are naturally fastidious. Routine brushing and combing your cat will prevent matts and tangles, and reduce hairballs. With short-haired cats, use a rubber brush or comb to stimulate natural oils and produce a beautiful shine. Groom medium to long-haired cats with both a slicker brush and a comb. For long-haired cats, a de-matting tool is also needed. Ask your pet counsellor which brush and comb are right for your cat.
Hairball Remedy Paste – Cats groom themselves daily, which can lead to hairballs from swallowed hair. They often regurgitate hairballs, which can be uncomfortable for both the cat and the owner. Hairball remedy pastes or treats can help prevent hairballs from forming.
Nail Clippers and Coagulant – Cat nail clippers should be used to maintain the length of your cat's nails. Done regularly, this will deter some scratching habits. Take care not to trim too short or cut into the blood vessels running through each nail. Keep a blood coagulant on hand in case this happens.
Litter Box and Litter – The litter box should be big enough to accommodate the size of your cat when full-grown. Ideally there should be one litter box on each floor of the home. If you have more than one cat, multiple litter boxes will be a necessity as many cats do not like to use the same litter box.
A non-clumping litter is generally better accepted by kittens. At around 3-6 months you could gradually transition to a clumping litter. When you first bring your new companion home, keep them on the same litter that they are currently using, as changing litter when also changing homes could result in them not using the litter box.
Litter Deodorizer – Powdered products and spray deodorizers can be used to reduce litter box odours by adding it regularly to the pan.
Litter-Scoop – This is necessary for spot cleaning, to keep litter fresh, and to make fewer pan changes. Litter pan liners are also handy to use, and make dumping and cleaning your cat box more convenient. (Those who are pregnant should not clean litter pans. Ask your doctor for more details).
Cleanliness and Safety
All pets can potentially carry diseases that may be contagious to people. Young children, infants, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly are at greater risk of infections and should use caution when in contact with pets or their environments. Regular cleaning of your pet’s environment with a pet safe cleaner may help avoid the spread of contaminants.
Hygiene procedures such as washing your hands before and after handling your pet and/or after having any contact with their habitat, is a necessary routine. Children should be assisted with hand washing and always have adult supervision when interacting with pets.