Minimal Cat Supply List: The Ten Things to Buy Before Pickup
A no-hype list of ten genuinely essential supplies with basic buying criteria, so you avoid wasting money.
Step-by-step checklist
- 01 Shop the ten-item essential list
- 02 Litter box 1.5x body length
- 03 Choose a sturdy hard carrier
- 04 Use ceramic or stainless bowls
- 05 Keep enzymatic cleaner on hand
- 06 Buy extras only after arrival
Overview
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The essential ten: staple food plus transition samples, food and water bowls, litter and a litter box, a carrier, a scratcher, nail clippers, a brush, a hideaway or cardboard box, window-proofing materials, and an enzymatic odor cleaner. Buy everything else after the cat arrives.
Minimum standards: litter box at least 1.5 times the cat's body length; a sturdy hard carrier with top or side opening; shallow ceramic or stainless bowls. A cardboard box with an old towel works as well as an expensive bed.
Defer electric toys, elaborate fountains, clothing, and decorative collars. Watch the cat's actual preferences first; most cats favor cardboard boxes and a simple wand toy over anything costly.
Related products
Orijen's flagship grain-free cat kibble built around chicken, turkey and wild-caught fish, delivering a high-meat, biologically appropriate
pidan Tofu Cat LitterA plant-based tofu litter with fast clumping and low dust, light to carry and suitable for apartments and multi-cat homes.
pidan Open Litter BoxA high-sided open box with good visibility and easy entry for cats that dislike enclosed spaces.
PETKIT Ceramic Double BowlA ceramic double bowl for food and water, easy to clean and resistant to lingering odours.
Owner questions
Why wait on a fountain or electronic toys?
Some cats prefer still water or ignore electronic toys; observing first avoids waste, and the ten essentials already cover the first month.