Everything You Need For Your New Cat

Supplies:
Water Fountain & Bowl (we prefer water fountains to encourage them to drink more water. See why below!)
Food Bowl
Litter Box
Litter Scoop
Litter Mat
Litter
Urine Cleaner
Scratching Post
Cat Condo/Tower
Bed
Grooming Brush
Nail Clipper
Cat Carrier
Collar
ID Tag

Treats:
Lickable Purees
Cat Sushi Bonito Flakes
Freeze-Dried Single Ingredient Treats

Toys:
Catnip Filled Toys
Catnip or Silver Vine
Rattle or Crinkle Toys
Wands - great for interactive play!

Calming:
Pheromone Diffuser
CBD or CBG Hemp Supplements

Food is the Foundation of Health

Cat's being fed primarily dry food are chronically dehydrated. The majority of a cat's water intake actually comes from their food and very little from drinking water. Because kibble is only 10% max moisture, feeding a wet or raw diet (70-90% moisture) is going to be more biologically appropriate to help protect them from common health issues like kidney failure, UTI's, and crystals in their urine. Cat's are also obligate carnivore's meaning they have no need for dietary carbohydrates, but they do require a meat-forward diet. Most kibble is 35-70% carbohydrate. When choosing a kibble be sure to do this simple equation to see what percentage of that bag of food is carbohydrates.

We always say if you're ever lost in the woods just shout "What's the best pet food?" People will come running and debates will start on what they believe is the best thing to feed your pet. The internet is full of great information, but in it you will also find advertisements, opinions, and influencers. There are more pet-food brands than ever before, all saying their food is the best. We get that question a lot ourselves! What do we answer? It depends on your pet of course! Check out our helpful blog to get started here.

Goat milk is also a great treat for cats and an easy way to get more moisture into their daily routine. Not only is it good for staying hydrated, it's also great for digestion. Goat milk also has more protein, healthier fats, medium-chain fatty acids, and is easier to digest than cow milk. We proudly offer pet-friendly goat milk great for dogs and cats!

Enrichment

Cat's love to hunt, it's in their DNA and a natural instinct. But our domesticated house kitties don't have a lot to hunt indoors, this is where interactive play comes in! Cats love things that move and they thoroughly enjoy when we instigate playtime. Using a wand toy to start their prey-drive and get them moving, but giving them something they can physically catch, can help keep them at a healthier weight and more enriched.

Cat trees can also be a great addition to your home and can help enrich your cat's life. They can provide your cat with a safe space to explore, sleep, and play, while also encouraging natural behaviors:

Space to sleep: Cats like to have their own space to sleep and nap. You can try covering the platforms with faux fur for a soft surface.

Views: Cats like to be up high where they can see what's going on in the home.

Safety: Cat trees can provide high perches where your cat can feel safe and secure.

Scratching: Cat trees can provide scratching post areas to help your cat sharpen their claws. This can also give them their own dedicated area to release this natural instinct rather than furniture and unwanted areas.

Stretching: A tall, sturdy cat tree can be perfect for a long morning stretch.

Litter

Cat's can be very particular about their environment, including where they choose to go to the bathroom. Whether it's the wrong texture, size, or even the scent can deter a cat from using the litter box. But how do we choose the right litter for our cats? Personal preference can be a factor in deciding what direction to go. Clay, pellet, plant-based, non-clumping, scented, unscented... how do we decide which one? Luckily we have lots of options to choose from, a knowledgeable team to help navigate, and even some you can test in store!

Now comes the important part! How often do I clean the litterbox? How many litterboxes do I need? When do I refill the litter?

How many boxes - We recommended to have 1-2 boxes per cat in your home. Add approx. 3-4 inches of litter per box.

Scooping - Scoop the litter box daily, ideally twice or more throughout the day. Add litter whenever the box gets lower than 3-4 inches, and change the litter completely at least once a week.

Litter replacement - How often you should change the litter depends on the type of litter you use:

Clumping litter: Change the litter completely at least once a month, but you might only need to do so every two to three weeks if you scoop daily.

Non-clumping litter: Change the litter twice a week if you have one cat, or every other day if you have more than one.

Deep cleaning - You can deep clean the litter box and scoop weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on your preference and how messy your cat is. You can wash the box with soap and water, and you can also clean the edge and cover. Avoid using bleach, as it can react with the ammonia in cat urine.

Replace your box - How often you should replace a cat litter box depends on several factors, including the material it's made from, how many cats use it, and how much wear and tear it's seen:

Material: Plastic boxes are porous and can absorb bacteria from urine and feces, so they may need to be replaced every few months.

Wear and tear: You may need to replace a litter box if it's cracked, scratched, or stained, or if it's become porous and holds onto odors. If there are multiple cats using the same box, chances are you will need to replace it sooner rather than later.

We know bringing home a new family member can be a lot of fun, but oftentimes confusing. That's where we come in! Come and talk with one of our team members and we'll help navigate and share our extensive knowledge with you to make sure your pets have a happy and healthy future.

Local Paws

435 SW Evergreen Ave Redmond, OR

(541) 604-8990

localpawsredmond.com