Let’s face it, your cat is demanding, and you love it! One of the many ways of taking good care of your cat is making sure they are fully geared with items that guarantees their comfort.
But with all the numerous options out there, it is important to know your cat. Once you know what he/she likes and dislikes, you can consider these suggestions as accessories for your pet which will also help you refrain from unnecessary spending.
Here are some important accessories and how to choose them. You can decide according to your cat, which accessories you should prioritise.
Cat litter box
Choose your litter box according to whether your cat is an adult or a kitten. A combination of two or three with different heights is also something you should consider. You can place them strategically in different locations indoors, depending on how big of a space you have. Cat litter can be used for indoor and outdoor spaces alike.
There are several types of cat litter you could try and test out which one is best suited for your cat. The options to choose from could include clumping and non-clumping clay, silica gel crystals, recycled paper, and pine, just to name a few. You may have to go through a few to see which one your cat prefers.
Drink and food containers
Cats naturally have a segregation of where they eat and sleep, so it only makes sense to keep your cat’s water and food bowl separate.
Have you ever found your cat trying to drink out of faucets? That is because cats have a natural inclination to drinking running water. If you have the space and can indulge your cat, a running water fountain is a great option for your cat to drink out of.
When choosing bowls, make sure its wide enough for your cat to access without bumping into the sides including their whiskers and they shouldn’t be too deep.
Scratching posts
You already know, your cat loves to scratch. Cats are made that way and they have a built-in need for this behaviour. But did you know it helps them trim their claws, mark their territory and stretch? The trick is not to try to restrict or discourage your cat from such behaviour, but to give them areas and rules around scratching.
Make sure you have as many scratching options as possible around your cats living areas. Every room your cat uses, or outdoor area should have a scratching post/spot.
Your cat’s scratching post should be placed with thought behind it and should be stable enough to bear the full weight of your cat and remain stable. It should be accessible and inviting, or your cat will eventually resort to areas of your house which you don’t want scratched.
The location of the scratching post must consider height, accessibility and convenience. The material should be made of long lasting fabric that can withstand rough scratching for long periods. Natural wood is a smart option as well. Make sure the material doesn’t resemble any other surfaces in your home such as a sofa or carpet, as it may confuse your cat.
Areas of elevation
Cats love elevated areas, and this is actually a natural survival skill that cats have against predators. Being elevated can come in different forms such as shelves, cat climbing trees, and elevations that are in the house already such as window sills, the tops of cupboards and such.
Cat trees come in all sizes and forms to suit your cats living area. Multilevel trees can provide your cat a resting space in different spots with different views. They serve as scratching posts as well. If you have the budget and space, cat trees and strategically placed shelving are a great idea for your cat to spend time indoors happily.
It is important to watch your cat and identify more or less which spots they prefer and make modifications accordingly to the setup. Paths can be created for your cat with a combination of built in home perches, shelves and cat trees.
Cat carrier
Whether your cat likes it or not, at some point you will have to put them in a carrier.
You can make it better by making sure the space inside the carrier is large enough for your cat to move around in easily and raise its head without bumping into the ceiling. Depending on how long the outing is going to be, you may want to consider getting a carrier that can fit a litter box in it.
First aid kit for cats
For any medical emergencies, a vet must be the first to contact. However sometimes you may need to take quick action yourself if your cat is in urgent need.
A standard first aid kit would include bandages, gauze pads, rolls, cotton pads, blunt edged scissors, antiseptic cleaners, hydrogen peroxide among other tools.
Here is quite a comprehensive list for what should be included in a first aid kit for your cat:
· Nail clippers for cats
· Tweezers
· Disposable gloves
· Bandage scissors
· Antiseptic hand wipes
· Sterile gauze
· Cotton balls
· Q-tips
· 1-inch bandage tape
· Antibacterial ointment
· 1 or 2 6cc dosing syringes for administering medication or flushing wounds
· Digital thermometer
· Stethoscope
· Pet clippers
· Tick removal tool
You may be able to use these tools after getting instructions from your vet, or you may even consider doing a cat first aid course to be prepared for when your cat needs your assistance.
We hope this article helps you and your feline companion to utilize resources for a comfortable and happy pet and owner lifestyle. Keep a look out for more accessory tips in our future articles.
