What do I have to buy for the cat before I take her home?

What do I have to buy for the cat before I take her home?

Arden Moore (Animal Behavioral Specialist, Editor and Author) gives expert video advice on: How do I prepare my family to meet the cat?; How do I introduce the cat to her new home?; How do I introduce my new cat to my old cat? and more...

Before you bring your cat home, you need to dash to your local pet supply store, and be prepared to fill your little shopping cart with the following. A litter box, preferibly two. The math is one litter box per cat, plus one. So you probably need to add two. Litter, obviously. There are many types to consider. You need to get a scooper. You need to get a collar and an ID. You need to get food. And work with your veterinarian to make sure that you've got good quality food that meets your kitten or cat's need. You need to get toys. Come on, spoil the little cat or kitten. They need to know that they're part of this family. Also important, save your furniture. I call it the SOS, Save Our Sofa: Scratching post. Make sure they're sturdy and have a little bit of angle to them, because cats have many different ways that they like to have their little pedicures done, and you don't want your couch to be the target of that need. Water and food bowls. And even a leash, believe it or not. It's always nice. Bedding. Cats are into comfort. They sleep seventeen hours a day. They need to have good places to perch and nap. So those are some of the things that are going to make "ka ching" when you out the checkout line, but they're very essential for your cat.