How to Kit Out Your New Cat
All the cat adoption essentials you need, recommended by real pet parents.
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Your pet wants you to read our newsletter. (Then give them a treat.)
The ink isn’t even dry on your cat adoption certificate but now’s the time to stock up on everything your new kitten will need. Sure, cats are more self-sufficient than dogs — sorry, dogs — but they still need a lot of gear to get acclimated (and so they don’t poop under your bed or scratch up your shit). You probably know you need cat food and a litter box. If you’re bringing home an adult cat, try to stick with food and litter brands they’re already familiar with, at least for the first few weeks, to make them feel comfortable. And remember, every cat is unique so take the time to observe how they react to their new digs and adjust accordingly. That said, there are some must-have cat items that experienced pet parents swear by, from catnip toys to grooming tools, and we’ve rounded them up for you. First things first, how are you going to bring your new cat home?
Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)
Cat trees come in an endless array of shapes and sizes, so start with something simple and see what your cat likes before investing in a full kitty condo.
$38 at Amazon
Finding the right litter box can be tricky, so start with an enclosed litter box that makes it easy for your cat to see (and sniff) where they should be doing their business. This design doubles down by making it easy for you to clean up with its pull-out litter drawer and anti-tracking roof. Poop scoop included.
$55 at Amazon
PrettyLitter has brains and brawn. It’s odorless (for real), a 4-lb. bag lasts a whole month, and the crystals magically absorb cat urine so you don’t need to scoop stinky clumps of it on the daily. But what’s most impressive about PrettyLitter is that said crystals will change colors if something’s off with your cat’s urine — alerting you to a UTI or kidney disease. *
$24 at PrettyLitter
Kittens under a year old have specific nutritional needs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spoil your new baby with some treats. These soft treats are formulated for kittens and are infused with taurine and omegas 3 and 6 for healthy cognitive development (and guilt-free snacking).
$5 at Amazon
Cats may be more keto than carb-inclined, but this baguette is stuffed with irresistible catnip. Plus it’s the perfect size for your pet to bat around when they’re done chewing on it.
$12 at Etsy
A high-quality cat food bowl can last a lifetime, so it might as well be nice to look at. This handmade ceramic bowl is elevated so your cat doesn’t have to crouch or suffer whisker fatigue (it’s a thing). The wooden base ensures it can’t be tipped over, either.
$17 at Amazon
Regular brushing won’t just keep your cat’s skin and fur healthy, it’s also a wonderful way for you two to bond. (And if they try to groom you back, it means they like you.) Awpland’s self-cleaning, gentle-bristled cat grooming brush is small enough to groom every inch of your new kitty.
$12 at Amazon* PrettyLitter is a Kinship brand. We think their products are pretty cool, but we don’t play favorites. So, when a product has family ties, we’ll be real with you.
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Jeremy Gundel
Jeremy Gundel is a writer and comedian from New York City. He’s a veteran performer at the Magnet Theater, been a featured contributor for CollegeHumor, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and performed stand-up in bars, basements, and basements of bars. He lives with his wife and two freeloading cats.