Basic Kit for Your Cat
The basic equipment includes the most necessary purchases for your cat. We tell you what you need.
Getting a cat? Then you’ll need a few things to make sure that your new family member is comfortable and can start to settle in straight away.
A starter set with litter tray, bowls, blanket and cat tree can cost around 86 dollar. Things will break from time to time, so will have to be replaced. You will definitely have to buy cat litter regularly.
Basic Kit Includes:
| Equipment | Costs |
|---|---|
| Cat bed, cat cave | from $18 |
| Cat blanket/cushion | from $10 |
| Scratching post, scratching board | from $22 |
| Litter tray | from $10 |
| Cat litter | from $10 |
| Transport box | from $10 |
| Tick tong (for outdoor cats) | from $2 |
| Brush/comb (for long-haired cats) | from $4 |
| Total | from $86 |
(Valid: November 2023)
Litter Box
Cats are very demanding when it comes to the litter box and litter. There are toilets with and without a hood. Ultimately, it's not about what you like or dislike, it's about the cat. Otherwise it won't use the litter box and finds another place for it. Somewhere in the apartment.
Pros of Hooded Litter Boxes
The advantage of hooded models is that they offer privacy. They are particularly recommended if the toilet is (or has to be) in a clearly visible place in the home. So you don't have to watch your cat go about its business.
Cons of Hooded Litter Boxes
However, the smells also collect under the hood. This is an advantage for us humans, as the smells do not spread throughout the room, but not for the cat with its sensitive nose. By the way, there are also models with a low entry for kittens.
Cat Litter
The same applies to cat litter: the cat must feel comfortable. Litter can smell very different. To a cat's sensitive nose, certain brands can have an unpleasant odor that can cause them to refuse the toilet. Before the cat moves in, it is best to find out which cat litter the cat already knows and likes.
Scratching Post
A scratching post is important so that your cat doesn’t think about sharpening its claws on your furniture. You can buy scratching posts for as little as $22 dollar but they aren’t top quality. Normally, you should be prepared to spend $70-90.
Scratching Board
You can even make a scratching board yourself by having a small piece of wood cut at the hardware store and simply attaching sisal rope (sisal is a plant fiber). With a bit of skill, you could even make a cat tree with little hidey holes. The benefit: your imagination is the only limit. But in the end, the cat is the one that has to decide if it likes them ...
Cuddle Cave
With a little skill you can also make your own cuddly caves. The pro: there are no limits to your imagination. But in the end the cat decides whether it likes the cave too...
Collar vs Chip
Collars can be dangerous for outdoor cats. They can get caught on fences while they’re roaming outdoors and even cause life-threatening injuries. So, most cats don’t wear collars.
Most people have their cats microchipped. This means that the veterinarian places a microchip under their skin. This doesn’t hurt much, and it doesn’t affect the cat as it moves around. If your cat runs away or gets lost, the chip will help to identify them and find the owner.
A scanner will display the contact details saved on the chip. The chip contains a 15-digit number that isn’t on any other chip in the world. This guarantees there won’t be a mix-up.
Related Articles:
Cats: Pros and Cons
Checklist "Before Buying"
Cat Hair Allergy
How Much Does a Cat Cost per Month?
Costs for Food
Costs for Vet Treatments
Basic Kit for Your Cat
Cat Toys
