5 Must-Haves to Prepare Your Home for a New Cat

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Hi! We are Sanchez (the human) and Agnes (the cat). Agnes joined our family in 2023, arriving tiny, sick, and—did I mention tiny? At three months old, she weighed only one pound and five ounces, half of what she should have. After months of hand feeding, vet visits, and a diagnosis of hypochondroplasia- Agnes finally felt happy, spry, and ready to wake us up at 5am for snacks. Getting a cat in college doesn't have to ruin your social life

(you might even get a great pong partner like me), but it certainly has to change. This blog is dedicated to helping college students be the best possible pet parent for their feline friends in a judgement free zone.

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So you have stalked all your local shelters for months (adopt, don't shop!), and you are finally ready to bring home a fur baby. But what now? You may be looking around your apartment trying to imagine how you could possibly be ready to take care of another living creature! Well, once you clean up all those empty beer cans, getting your home ready to bring home your new family is as simple as these five steps.

1. The Perfect Space: Giving Your Cat Room to Thrive

Agnes is 100% an iPad kid.

While a dorm cat may seem like a great idea now, a happy cat needs much more space than the average dorm room can provide. We highly recommend waiting until you are in a home where your cat will have ample room to run, explore, and get those midnight zoomies out. Cats also need adequate vertical space, as they find comfort in being up high. Be sure all high spaces, like countertops, tables, and the tops of cabinets, are free of any dangerous items. Be aware that your kitty will find tiny spaces you never even knew excited! These curious creatures will have a field day exploring every part of your home, be sure you have the space to keep them happy and occupied. 

1. Litter Box 101: Setting Up Your Cat for Success from Day One

The first thing you should have ready before bringing home your furry friend is a litter box. Knowing exactly where they can use the bathroom from the moment they are let loose is instrumental in avoiding accidents or bathroom confusion. Clumping clay litters are often the best choice for house cats, but pickier felines may prefer a pellet style. Avoid litter types with high dust content that can affect the allergies of you and your kitten. The absolute MUST to remember is to never choose a scented litter. Cats are very sensitive to smells; scented litter deters them from using the litter box and can negatively impact their health. Don’t get lazy, you will need to scoop their box every day!

1. Carrier Comfort: Easing Your Cat's Transition Home

Agnes on her way home for the first time!

Purchasing your own carrier will help smooth the transition from shelter to home. Some cats may take hours or even days to leave their carrier after being brought home, and they will be much more comfortable in a sturdy carrier. We recommend placing their bed (another necessity for your new furry friend!) and a small piece of clothing from each member of your household inside the carrier. This allows them to put their scent on the bed, so when they arrive in your home, they will already have something familiar. Your items will help them acclimate to your home’s scent before they are fully introduced to their new environment.

1. Feeding Felines: All About Balance

Most vets recommend an exclusively wet food diet, but for college students that may not be budget friendly. As long as at least half of their diet is made up of wet food, your cat can safely eat dry food and live a happy, long life. We recommend finding an organic or natural food that works for your cat's age and size. Agnes is a huge fan of the Purina Cat Chow Naturals indoor food mixed with a Sheba Perfect Portion cuts with gravy! Their bowls should be shallow and wide to avoid whisker fatigue. Stainless steel bowls are recommended to avoid bacteria build up, which is common in plastic and ceramic bowls. They also need a separate water bowl. We use an automatic water bowl that refills itself to be sure Agnes always has water.

1. Cat Towers & Toys: Creating a Playful Space

Baby Agnes when we built her cat tower!

As previously mentioned, cats are natural climbers. Having a cat tower ready for them when they get to their forever home can make them feel more comfortable exploring the space. They are also very territorial animals, and a cat tower makes them feel like there is a part of the home that is exclusively theirs. If your cat tower doesn’t come with a scratch post, it is also important to have one of those on hand. Agnes is a big fan of her hammock attachment! Having multiple styles of toys is also important, every cat's temperament is different. Stick, crunchy, and puzzle toys are amongst some of the most popular, but it may take a few tries to find out what your cat wants in their home.