New cat

You've decided to get a cat!

Here’s what we suggest you prepare before you welcome a new cat to your home, and how to set up your home as a cat-friendly space.

Scroll to the bottom for a printable shopping list to download.

Choose a space for them to start in

Set up a 'base' in a spare or quiet room - a little-used dining room, for example. Keep your cat just in this safe room initially and they can spread out as they gain confidence.

Food and water bowls should be placed apart, as cats don't like to drink near where they've eaten.

The litter trays should be placed well away from their food and water, in a quiet and private spot.

Cats find it stressful if key resources are moved around, so work on your layout before you bring them home. If your cat is very nervous, then our team will advise you with setting up your safe room for a longer stay.

What does my new cat need?

cat food Food. Obviously they will need food, but you might want to wait until you know which cat you are adopting and we’ll let you know what to get. They could have dietary needs or foibles we’ve discovered.

Food bowl Food and water bowls. Cats prefer a wide shallow bowl so they don’t bang their whiskers. Choose ceramic or metal as cats generally don't like plastic bowls which hang on to odours. You could save money by finding a pretty saucer in a charity shop. If you have a large house, add interest for your cat by having a few on different floors.

Litter trays and litter. Even if they will be an outdoor cat, they will be indoors for at least 4 weeks whilst they bond to their new home and to you, and they remain useful to have if your cat is ill or during fireworks season, whenever they need to be kept indoors. They will need two trays so there is usually one always clean.

We use a paper-based litter called BioCatolet which most cats are happy with (and suits our industrial waste digester), but some cats we find prefer the limestone granules of Catsan – we’ll let you know which your cat prefers before adoption.

» Read our litter tray tips

Place beds or blankets to provide both hiding and watching spots. You can put a cushion or bed on a windowsill, buy a covered cat bed (‘igloo’) or radiator beds are popular especially when it is cold (be warned, they will probably ignore all of them and choose their own spaces!).

We also recommend a play tunnel that gives a hidey spot and play area in one - or make one from a large cardboard box with holes cut into the sides.

cat in a carboard box made into a play tunnel

scratching post Something to scratch that isn’t your sofa or carpet. Whilst some cats will scratch upright and so use a pole, some cats like to scratch floors or flat surfaces – in which case they are horizontal scratchers.

Start off by buying a couple of simple cardboard or carpet scratchers – one that can be positioned upright and one flat - until you discover how your cat likes to scratch and can buy or make more to suit.

Position it next to your sofa or door frame so when you say no to your furnishings, there’s a yes nearby.

toys Toys – cats need a daily pounce! Buy or make a small range of toys that involve you or self-play in different ways, until you find out what they enjoy playing with. Make a set that includes...

A catnip small soft toy to get them excited
A small ball to bat about (or use a scrunched up piece of clean paper)
A wand toy where you hold one end and wiggle ribbons or a feathery toy along to tease them (this can easily be homemade)
A big ‘kicker’ toy which is a strong toy they can wrap all around and kick with their back legs whilst biting.
We also recommend a chew toy to help keep their teeth clean – these have textures to help remove plaque. If you are getting a kitten, make sure it is kitten-specific for young teeth.

brush Grooming isn’t just for long haired cats. All cats need a little help, and regular brushing is not only a great bonding exercise but also an opportunity to check them over and spot any health issues early. Start with a soft brush or gentle mitt to build trust.

» Read our guide on teaching your pet to accept being checked over.

If you are adopting more than one cat, then make sure they have enough to share - have 3 litter trays for two cats, and double everything else!

plug in pheromone Feliway. This is a great optional extra, a plug-in pheromone that helps cats relax, but doesn’t smell at all to humans. Turn it on the day before you bring them home.

For when you know them better

teeth care Dental care is the number one health issue we see in cats, but how you deal with it depends on the character of the cat you are adopting. So for now, just get in a dental toy (see above) and make this your ‘must have’ once you’ve adopted.

Ideally you will want to be cleaning your cat’s teeth a couple of times a week, with a toothbrush or dental wand plus a cat-specific toothpaste (as human toothpaste is very toxic to pets).

If your cat won’t let you be that close just yet, then get some dental treats or food from your vets.

» Read our guide to looking after their teeth.

» DOWNLOAD a shopping list