Are you researching what you might at home need if you get a cat? Or are you checking to make sure you covered the basics? If so, then this post is for you!
Cats are amazing adapters to our lifestyles, and part of the fun of owning a cat is finding out their particular interests and wants. No two cats have the same personality. No two cats want to be played with a certain way, fed a certain way, or watered a certain way. There are so many variations of toys, routines, and supplies that work best for each individual one. But there are a few basics. Cats need to eat. Cats need water. Cats need some help grooming. And cats need play! The good news is, it doesn’t have to be costly. For years I went the budget route of owning a cat. I totally get that, and will list some ideas to help you get started cheaply. If you have a more comfortable budget, there are a few suggestions I would love to share that will help make life easier for both of you, just based on things I have learned and trialed.
Feeding:
How do you feed your cat? Cats love milk, right? And Tuna? Of course they do, and snacks are fun for all living things. But before you put out bowls like you’ve seen in cartoons, just beware: some cats will have intolerances. Ariel has an almost instant reaction to cow’s milk. She will frantically lap up whatever is placed in front of her (because she loves it sooooo much), then promptly go throw it up. Usually on the carpet. So, loading up on her favorite delicacies ends up not exactly being the answer.
The best way to feed cats is daily cat food, plus treats. Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD, cVMA gives an excellent answer to the question “Canned or dry food: What’s better for cats?” I have learned you have to be careful to make sure what you buy is actually food, not supplements. (I’ll cover that in the future, but for now just know to read your labels!) In our house, we give a combination of high quality wet and dry foods, with the occasional vitamin, for variety.
Budget tip: ask your vet what is the cheapest food you could get away with, and which is the best. Buy the cheap food, and add in a day of the expensive food two or three times a week. If they tolerate the changes, they can still get some nutrition and a variety.
Is it Safe to Let Your Cat Hunt?
Letting your cat out to hunt for themselves seems like a way to save money, but next we’ll cover some surprising, expensive drawbacks it can have.
Ariel and Aurelia absolutely LOVE “hunting” outside. Like love, loooove it. Neither one knows how to actually kill anything, but they can’t resist the thrill of the chase! If they are able to corner a little lizard, or “catch” a mouse they act like they just met their life’s goal. There are definitely some proud moments.
It makes me nervous every time they touch something though! Little rodents or birds provide a very balanced and tasty cat-meal, but can also mean your cat catching and bringing you… parasites, pests, or diseases. (Yes, that’s exactly what I want to join us at night in bed!) The most annoying one to humans is: fleas. Oh my gosh you do not want fleas!!!! I repeat, you do not want fleas. I’ll cover fleas in a later post.
But really, one of the scariest to us humans is toxoplasmosis. Cats are easily infected with this parasite, and can give it to you! You can read the latest information on it on the CDC’s website. Toxoplasmosis can not only cause birth defects in unborn babies, it can actually send you or your child to the emergency room with “cat scratch fever.” Most cat owners don’t get it, but I happened to be one who did. When I had the infection, I spent thousands of dollars on doctor visits getting diagnosed, including a CT scan to evaluate swollen underarm lumps. Not that this will happen to you, but I just mention it as something to think about if your goal is saving money by letting them hunt for themselves. (Make sure you have things in place like easy access to a vet, and good health insurance for yourself.)
Budget tip: this might not seem like a budget tip but it is: BUY the flea and heartworm medication! The cost to get rid of fleas alone is hundreds more than just purchasing the medicine. And don’t even get me started on the headache you’ll get! (You’ll need a good veterinarian, which is also essential but I’ll cover later)
Bowls:
Whether you want to feed your cats at specific times, or let them graze throughout the day, having a specific pet food bowl helps a lot. At different times throughout the years, I have used my own kitchen bowls for their food and water, but it really wasn’t ideal. It’s messy, and not a great height or angle for their little necks and whiskers. Think about how they have to eat: sticking their heads down and using their lower jaws to scoop the food, versus a squirrel that can bring its food to its mouth. My Pet Needs That has a fun resource that digs into the benefits and drawbacks of different types of bowls, which could be game changers for you. I laughed when I saw some of the more creative bowls. Currently (and I really suggest these if you can), we have automatic, programmable feeders that have an angled tray. This helps with the scooping motion as they eat, and takes away the work of daily feeding! (see link in Elle’s list).
Budget tip: you might have guessed it: just use one of your old ceramic kitchen bowls.
Water:
You want to make sure they always have access to water. And clean water, too. If I’m looking at my cat’s bowl and think “ewwe, I wouldn’t drink that!” It’s probably time for a water change. Lapping water is a little bit easier for a cat than scooping food into their mouths, but the challenge with water is they typically don’t want to drink enough (cue kidney disease when they’re older). I have found that water fountains actually work well to catch their interest in drinking. (See our favorite in Elle’s List) Plus, they make this soothing background water noise that gives the room a spa-like feel. (Cat’s won’t be the only ones in the house to be attracted to the water just fyi, your crawling baby might too!)
Budget tip: a single, ceramic or stainless-steel bowl that you rinse and refill every day does the job. They will figure it out.
Grooming:
One of the more tedious parts of caring for a cat at home is grooming. Different breeds need to be brushed more than others, such as Ariel. She could be brushed twice a day! And all cats need attention to their claws. Indoor cats need help trimming them, about twice a week. And trust me, your lap will thank you! I’ll cover more in the coming blogs, but for now just make sure you have a good brush, a good nail trimmer, and look up some instructions on how-to.
Toys:
Here’s where it gets fun for us owners. Cats will make beds and toys out of pretty much anything – your socks, office pens, hair ties, empty boxes, ect… Some cats love to sit on things that smell like you (aka your laundry basket! Or like Walt’s knee brace).
You don’t have to buy expensive anything for the cat, but having a few fun things around for them to play with does keep them entertained and active. Part of enjoying your cat is figuring out what tkinds of toys they like. Ariel is obsessed with laser pointers, but Aurelia is content to toss around her fake mouse for hours. One thing you really should not skip is at least one scratching post, or board, or tower, or whatever your cat will take to. The consequences are that your furniture will become the scratching post! (Good-bye beautiful leather couch). We still just have the budget version – the three-foot carpet/twine tower we bought on sale for $20 (see Elle’s list). It works great, and they use it throughout the day. Even Ariel who doesn’t have front claws, still pretends to “sharpen” her paws on the post. Read more about 6 Things to Keep Them Entertained inside.
(Pro tip: put one of these right next to the couch arm your cat likes to use if he/she is all about scratching your furniture!).
Litter Boxes:
You have to have a litter box. Period. Yes, you can toilet train your cat, and yes some cats will go outside. But if you want him or her to be set up for the best chance of good behavior, not to mention a good fit in your house, give them a box! Click here for some suggestions on litter boxes.
Please note that CatLoveLady provides general educational information on various topics on this website as a public service, which should not be construed as health, medical, mental health, professional, or veterinary advice. These are my personal opinions only. See more in our disclaimer policy here.