Your new cat requires some essential equipment to make him feel comfortable and happy in his new home. There are literally a millions cat products available in the market today for the cat lover to choose from. Below you will find a summary of the essential equipments needed, to help you sort through the myriad of offerings on the market.

Essential Equipment:

• Litter box and litter
• Food and water bowls
• Bed and bedding
• Toys
• First-aid kit
• Collar and ID tag
• Carrier
• Scratching post

Litter box and litter

There are three categories of litter boxes: basic open box, basic hooded/covered box, and automated box.

Covered or hooded boxes prevent the litter from being scattered outside the box, traps the odors better (often has carbon filter pads), and provides more security/privacy for the timid cat. However, some cats do not like to be enclosed (perhaps due to trapped odors or constrained environment) and will only use an open box.

Automated litter boxes actually are self-cleaning... but they come at a price. They are expensive and require special premium kitty litter. These systems uses an automated rake which rakes across the kitty litter and deposits the poop and clumps in a storage bin. These units are ideal for the finicky cat that require an always clean litter box.

Whatever litter box you choose, ensure it is a big enough box for your cat and one that will hold enough litter so they can bury their wastes completely without wetting or soiling their paws.

Summary of types of kitty litter available on the market:

Food and water bowls

You should provide your cat with his own food and water bowls, preferably stainless steel, ceramic, pottery, stoneware, but not plastic. Plastic bowls are less durable and can collect scratches which can then collect bacteria. It should be something that can be washed well and stand up to hot water/heating. It should be also be durable. They should also be flat and shallow, to prevent your cat from knocking or tipping them over.

Automatic and pedal bowls are also available on the market these days. These bowls dispense dry food at pre-set times and pedal bowls offer a pedal mechanism for which the cat can activate with his paws to open and close the lid.

Bed and bedding

There are numerous types of bedding available on the market today, and determining which type is good for your cat is futile at best. One never knows where a cat prefers to sleep, and don't be surprised if that super expensive/luxurious bedding you bought is ingnored for the comfort of something like a bookcase, staircase, or laundry hamper.

Below is a summary of what is available on the market. Whatever you do choose, make sure it's warm and easily washed/maintained.

Toys

Playing with your cat is rewarding for both of you. If kittens learn to play with toys, they will probably continue to do so during adulthood. Moving toys in ways that mimic prey-like behavior will result in more fun for your cat, such as darting, erratic or very fast movements. Many toys are stuffed with herbs called catmint or catnip which cats find irresistible.

Collar and ID tag  

Ideally, if your cat goes outside, he should wear a reflective or fluorescent collar complete with an ID tag and a bell to warn wildlife, such as birds, of his presence. Collars are available in many styles and colors, but you should always use one with either an elastic insert or a quick-release fastening for safety in case your cat becomes caught in something. When fitting a collar, make sure you can slide two fingers between it and the cat's neck and check regularly to adjust for growing cats.

Carrier

You will need a carrier for taking trips to the vet or anywhere else. There are several types to choose from, but make sure they are easy to handle, can carry your cat inside, and can securely close so he can't escape.

Scratch Post

Every cat has a biological need to scratch in order to help keep his claws in good working order. Provide a scratch post so he will not exercise his claws on your furniture. To train your cat to use the scratch post, crush a little fresh catnip in your hands and rub them on the post or spray catnip essence.

Non-essentials

An indoor crate can prove extremely useful if you have existing pets, such as dogs. The crate provides a secure den during the cat's integration with his new home and friends. A crate should be large enough for the cat to move around freely and accommodate a litter box, food and water, and toys. It may be possible to rent one for a short time from a vet or breeder.

A cat flap can be installed into an outside door, window will or even walls. This allows your pet to enter and leave the house at leisure. Fit the cat flap low enough for the pet to use it comfortably and away from the handle or lock to prevent burglary. Various designs are available, including electromagnetic and electronically operated flaps that will open only to a cat with a special device attached to his collar.