7 min read
Feb 16, 24
“A cat meowing at your feet, looking up at you, is life smiling at you”. This dialogue from the film Kedi (2016) directed by Ceyda Torun perfectly encapsulates what it means to welcome a kitty to our own homes and families.
So how can we make sure these furries keep purring with joy? What kind of a home do we need to build so they live their lives with absolute contentment? How can we make them live their best lives?
To be a parent is not a small feat. It’s a responsibility of another life in your hands. To anticipate their needs. Needs are nature itself. And our pet products are just a physical extension of satisfying our cat’s intrinsic needs - something they can’t naturally satisfy for themselves since they no longer live in the wild.
Today, we’ll glaze over how to welcome a cat into your home with our 10 cat essentials, made with a lot of thought and of course, love:
Happy Tummies, Happy Lives
|
Table Of Contents: - 10.Cat Toys |
A good home needs a place where one can enjoy their meals in peace. Before your kitty comes home, you’ll need a cat bowl placed in a cool location. It’s important you choose a good location for that’s the place you’ll usually find your cat meowing for food.
Cats originally were desert inhabitants and can go on for a long time without having water. That doesn’t mean they should. Which makes them fussy when it comes to staying hydrated. Hence, having multiple bowls for water throughout the house is a good idea.
Now when it comes to choosing cat bowls, an important factor is its design. A slanted cat bowl solves two problems for cats. Firstly, most cats have short necks and flat noses which can cause hindrance in them enjoying meals comfortably. The slanted design keeps the food in the centre, which means easy access. Secondly, cats dislike getting their whiskers wet. The wide design ensures the food stays away from their whiskers.
If this is your first time picking food for your feline, then it’s a good time to understand more about their appetite and eating patterns. Wet cat food is essentially shredded/chunky protein and veggies, pre-mixed in broths or water. It can either come in pouches or cans and appears watery. It usually serves as a single meal. Now, why does your cat even need it? Why can’t they just have dry food?
Wet cat food provides multiple benefits such as hydration, muscle development, increased appetite, prevention of a UTI and kidney diseases and more. Its moisture-rich content is loved by cats who aren’t enthusiastic water drinkers. Additionally, the variety of textures and flavours in wet cat food caters to different taste buds, ensuring full, happy tummies.
HUFT Tip: Before purchasing, remember to read the packaging well and observe if the cat food is a complete meal or is a complimentary meal mixed and given with dry food.
We know this step can be a bit stressful. But don’t worry. When it comes to your cat’s staple kibble, you need to focus only on three things. First, what kind of kibble? Cats are carnivores and hence their daily diet needs to have plenty of protein. Second, fish or poultry? It’s a good idea to let your kitty try a few before picking one. Most cats enjoy both. If you’re adopting a cat from a shelter, best to ask their caretaker what kind of dry food they enjoy. Third, whom is it made for? There are plenty of brands that create dry cat food according to the cat’s breed and age.
We know what you’re wondering. How does one choose the right dry cat food? One golden rule of buying any cat food is to check for allergens, preservatives and additives. You’ll want to avoid them. Read more about it here.
Privacy, please!
(Pay attention because this section is pretty important for new cat parents. Cats take their business seriously and hence, so should you.)
The history behind cat litter is quite fascinating! Our tidy cats’ ancestors originated from the desert and would bury their waste in sand. This is why your cat might also be attracted to sand to do their business. However, regular sand has plenty of pathogens and parasites that can cause serious infections. So it’s best to use a safe product that’s specially created as an alternative to sand - cat litter.
Cat litter is either made with bentonite clay, recycled newspaper or tofu. Each offers their own benefits. Bentonite clay cat litter is heavy but is 100% chemical-free, has excellent clumping and odour control. One drawback is that it’s non-biodegradable. So if you want an equally good eco-friendly option, choose newspaper cat litter. It’s biodegradable and also flushable! Tofu cat litter can too be disposed of by flushing.
Another trick is to notice if the cat litter has this feature called ‘no tracking’. Now, what does it mean? A cat, once they’ve done their business, will walk around. Sometimes, it can lead to cat litter spreading throughout the house. A ‘no tracking’ cat litter will not stick to your cat’s paws. Which means, a cleaner house!
HUFT Tip: You can replace your cat litter once every 2-3 weeks. Remember to NEVER flush clay cat litter. It can clog your toilet and also pollute our draining systems. Follow instructions as given on the litter’s packaging.
Where is the cat litter supposed to go? In the cat litter box, ofcourse! Cats do not enjoy sharing their litter trays. So if you have 2 cats at home, we recommend you keep 3 litter trays around the house. The rule is more cats, more trays. Cats enjoy doing their business in private. So place their litter trays in a quiet yet accessible place.
Once your kitty has done their business, you’ll notice the cat litter will have done its job and now their faeces will be in clumps inside the litter box. Your next job is to scoop it up with a cat litter scooper, put it inside a disposable bag and dispose of it in a bin. If the litter can be flushed, scoop it up and flush it down!
Grooming
If you’re a rookie in cat grooming, then you’ll realise that there are few cats who are water babies and most whose hiss will be a gentle reminder of their distaste of baths. Which is why it’s always a good idea to have cat-safe odour deodoriser at home. They don’t require water to do their magic. Just spritz and ta-da! The stinky smells are gone.
Whether it’s stubborn goop in their eyes or just one of those days your cat wants to skip bath days, wet wipes for cats will be your saviour. You’ll want to pick a wet wipe that’s safe to use on your pet's entire body. Which means, it’s important they’re 100% chemical and alcohol-free. These wipes for cats stand as an essential companion, always ready to accompany your cat wherever they go.
Let’s Play?
A furniture? For a cat? Sometimes what sounds silly to our ears might actually be a brilliant idea. Our kitties have a natural instinct to scratch and our good ‘ol couch turns out to be the victim. Cat scratchers save the day by giving your cat a dedicated space to let out that pent up energy and stress. Bonus point for keeping those kitty nails trim and healthy.
Only cat parents will understand when we say our cats are always up to no good. Although they have this air of poise and royalty with them, they like to goof around and have fun just like a regular dog. (Their words, not ours).
Toys created for cats are an easy ticket to their happiness. Firstly, cat toys aren’t just about the jingle of the bell or the feather - they’re about keeping your furball active and engaged. Secondly, cats look at their toys as prey. So when the toys move, it will catch your cat’s attention and satisfy their natural instinct to hunt. Thirdly, they’re a great way to foster a deep bond with your feline. And lastly, a well-entertained cat is usually a well-behaved one.
Plush cat toys are great nibblers and cuddlebug for kittens, wand toys are great for some exercise while catnip toys will turn a lazy cat into an excited one. If you wish to know more about choosing the perfect toy for your cat, read more here.
Thank you for sticking around till the end! We hope this information will help you warmly welcome your kitty into your lovely home.
Before you bring your bundle of joy home, you’ll need cat bowls, wet cat food, dry cat food for their meals, cat litter, cat litter box, cat litter scooper for their private times, cat odour deodoriser and pet wipes for grooming along with cat scratchers and cat toys for play.
The way we choose the right type of cat litter is by reading the benefits it offers. Does it have great odour control? Does it clump easier? How easy is it to dispose of? Is it biodegradable because that’s a plus. As for the litter box, pick one that’s appropriate for your cat’s size. Measurements are usually available on the product page you’re buying from.
Your cat will need both wet cat food and dry cat food throughout the seasons. If you’re switching to a new diet, then we highly recommend consulting your vet before doing so. Just ensure they get plenty of protein and taurine in their meals as it’s an essential for cat diet.
Cats are space sensitive. Which means they value and are protective over their homes. You can create a safe and cosy space for your cat by selecting a quiet place in your home where you can keep all of their cat essentials. However, it’s also true that cats are masters of their own minds. So once they’re home, give your cat some time to settle in and they’ll eventually pick the place they’ll call their own.
Well, scratching posts are essential if you love your own furniture. They’re a designated space where your indoor cat can release that pent up energy or stress. They also keep those kitty nails trim and healthy.
Cats need regular grooming for sure. Apart from being a bonding experience, combing through your cat’s fur is a good way to look out for those pesky fleas and ticks. You can get a cat brush, a flea comb and a narrow comb for ticks.
Indoor cats need different toys as play is one of the ways they get the exercise they need. Plus, cats look at toys as their prey. Plush cat toys are great for nibbling and cuddling kittens, wand toys are great for some paw exercise while catnip toys will turn a lazy cat into an excited one.
First things first, cat proof your house. This means getting rid of anything that’s hazardous for your new cat. These can be certain chemicals and even house plants (cats do eat plants and that’s normal). You’ll also want to secure all windows, balconies and doors so your cat doesn’t run out. Trust us, all cats do that.
Well, you can. There’s no harm in them as long as it’s cat-safe. We also recommend getting cat scratchers so you can redirect all that energy towards something appropriate.
Adopting a cat should be treated the same way as you would if you were adopting a human child. Your cat’s wishes should take precedence over your feelings (which can be hurt at times when they flat out reject you). Our cats are sentient beings who take time to trust their surroundings and their parents. That time can even be months or years. Remember, it's all very new to them. Be patient, loving and most importantly, let your cat come to you. Over time, your cats will realise you love and cherish them with all your hearts!
POSTED IN :
Feb 16, 24
“Your memory is full” Our phones do say that once in a while, don’t they? Well for us pet parent...
Puppyhood, in our years of experience, is a rite of passage for every pet parent. It is truthfull...
As our pets age, their eyesight gets a little weaker, they become a little slower and they may no...
Are you a new pet parent looking for a safe, fun pet spa for your pet? Are you unsure of how to g...
As doting pet parents, we all wish for our pets to receive good nutrition so they can live a long...
Summer is here and so is the brutal heat wave, which can be extremely challenging for our pets. ...
The sweltering Indian summers are just around the corner and so are the possibilities of your dog...
Dog
Cat
Previous Blog 
Youtube
Facebook
Instagram
Linkedin