cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/2608895

So far, I'm to get:

Unscented cat litter.

Litter box (Get 1 more litterbox than cats you own, they like having options.) (get two)

Cat treehouse

Cat brush

Bed

Treats

Bowl

Water bowl (use purified or watered bottle, preferably; filtered water is also fine)

Urine chemicals and destroyers

Cat carrier.

https://www.chewy.com/naturally-fresh-unscented-clumping/dp/171577

https://www.chewy.com/inaba-churu-chicken-variety-creamy/dp/666742

https://www.greenies.com/products/feline-greenies-adult-dental-cat-treats-catnip-flavor-975-oz-tub

Go to the vet at least once a year.

Get vaccinated at least once a year.

food portions are depending on cat's weight buy toys/balls/cat lasers ,its good to exercise

organic cat grass

cat water-fountain

Lots of soft places to sleep, some high & some low

scratching post

balanced diet (good dry food (I use hills) and cans of wet food)

It's better to split the food like 3/4 of a cup in the morning and 3/4 of a cup in the evening with treats

Have multiple water bowl options they can choose from and keep them clean

Clean the litter box every day-- twice.

Hairball preventative made up of petroleum jelly.

It's best to use the lunch paper bags (to clean their waste)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176379804268

Get some dewormer or other medical supplies like a flea treatment so you have it on hand if in need, if you can afford it.

Cat tooth-paste (they love malt flavor).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353440574835

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353440574835

Start with a teaser toy for the cat.

Use Purina Pro Plan Urinary for adult cats. It’s at Petsmart, but little pricey. Other options available. Just give them 1/3 of dry (AM/PM) and split one can amongst the three. Cats eating habits differ.

Micro-chip it ASAP!

Find a good vet, preferably one that specializes in cats. Follow their advice. Find a list of plants that are toxic to cats -- never, ever have lilies in your house or yard. Consider that strictly indoor cats live up to 10 years longer than cats that go outside.

Cat springs

https://www.amazon.ca/Ethical-Pet-Durable-Plastic-Colorful/dp/B000CMKHDG

Pet insurance is very good advice. Maybe ask your existing car/renter/whatever insurer if they offer it, sometimes they'll give you a discount to bundle things.

Avoid wheat, gluten, & or corn as filler as much as you can.

The above is everything that people have suggested to me.

If anyone has any brands to suggest or maybe extra things that aren't on this list, let me know.

Also, advice on raising a cat.

Well-known as well as obscure advice.

  • ped_xing [he/him]
    ·
    6 months ago

    Foster kitty parent here.

    Keep the cat in the bathroom with the litter box, food and water (all as far from each other as possible) until they use the litter box, both #1 and #2. Then they get access to your place outside of your bedroom. When they're acquainted with everything, you can try letting them into the bedroom. There's a chance the cat will fuck with your sleep by divebombing you off the headboard and you'll have to keep them out of the bedroom. There's also a chance the cat will howl and howl if kept out of the bedroom and you'll have to let them in. I've never had a cat in the intersection of these two populations but I suppose you could also get one of those, in which case I don't know what to tell you.

    Evenly-spaced meals help with the begging and, in extreme cases, puking from hunger. I tend to feed them at 10 and 10 so I don't feel guilty sleeping in.

    Da Bird is the most popular toy by far. It's weird to endorse a brand name here of all places, but the only competitor I've seen is Kong, a bigger brand name, that gets the string all wrong and the toys don't fly like birds. Get the breakaway kind so that when the cat catches it, they can drag off half the stick to their victory zone. Make your own if you're handy.

    If kitty needs medicine and doesn't like it (none of them like it), be very careful not to accidentally condition them. Waiting for the cat to be on your lap before giving the medicine is convenient once, maybe twice if you don't have the brightest cat. Then they'll know that your lap is a danger zone and will avoid it. Wait until the same time every night by looking at the clock (no alarms) and finding the cat wherever they are, grabbing them and administering the meds. If you squeeze the cat between you and an armrest, they won't be able to resist much. Give a treat afterwards but don't expect the cat to become fully OK with the meds.

    Be a total wimp when it comes to the claws. If they claw you, cry out in a high voice and run away like the hurt child you are.

    The most popular treats are Churu and dehydrated chicken.

    If you have a total floof, they might overheat sitting on your lap -- not in a health-damaging way, they'll just leave after a couple minutes. Put a folded-up blanket on your lap and they'll stay longer and you can brush them.

    It's easiest to load a cat into an angled carrier, hind legs first -- they won't feel like you're dropping them into a pit but also won't be able to effectively use the bottom surface to escape.