Must-Have & Recommended Items for Every Cat Owner
Bringing home a cat is an exciting experience, but making sure you have the right supplies can make a huge difference in their health, happiness, and overall quality of life. Below are the items I personally consider either must-haves or highly recommended, along with some of the products and brands that have worked well for Ralph.
Must-Have Items
1. Quality Cat Food
The most important purchase you’ll make for your cat is, of course, their food.
I personally recommend feeding wet food as the primary part of your cat’s diet whenever possible. Cats naturally have a low thirst drive because, in the wild, they get much of their hydration from their prey. Many indoor cats don’t drink enough water on their own, so wet food helps keep them hydrated and supports kidney and urinary tract health.
A varied diet is also beneficial. Rotating between different proteins and high-quality foods can provide a wider variety of nutrients and may help prevent your cat from becoming overly picky.
Ralph is a perfect example of why hydration matters. He rarely drinks water from his bowl, so I intentionally mix extra water into his wet food at every meal. It’s an easy way to help make sure he’s getting enough fluids throughout the day.
2. A Litter Box
Every cat needs a comfortable, clean place to use the bathroom.
I personally recommend stainless steel litter boxes whenever possible. They’re much easier to clean than plastic, don’t absorb odors over time, and are generally much more hygienic.
If your budget allows, automatic litter boxes can be a fantastic investment.
In my opinion, the Litter-Robot is the gold standard. While it’s definitely expensive, it’s also one of the safest and most thoroughly tested automatic litter boxes available. The reliability and safety features make the higher price worthwhile.
Personally, I wouldn’t bother with many of the cheaper automatic litter box brands. If you’re not purchasing a Litter-Robot, I’d simply stick with a traditional litter box instead.
3. Cat Litter
Choosing the right litter is just as important as choosing the litter box.
I recommend using unscented cat litter. While scented litters may smell better to us, many artificial fragrances can irritate a cat’s sensitive nose and respiratory system. Some veterinarians and cat owners have also raised concerns that long-term exposure to heavily scented litter may contribute to breathing irritation in some cats.
One of my personal favorites is Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract litter. It clumps extremely well, controls odors naturally, and has consistently been my favorite litter after trying several different brands.
4. Stainless Steel Food & Water Bowls
Food and water bowls might seem simple, but the material matters.
I strongly recommend stainless steel bowls because they’re durable, easy to sanitize, and don’t trap bacteria like some plastic bowls can.
Stainless steel bowls may also help reduce cat acne, a common condition that often appears around a cat’s chin.
5. Cat Nail Clippers
Regular nail trimming is an important part of keeping your cat healthy and protecting your furniture.
Before trimming your cat’s nails for the first time, be sure to watch a few instructional videos or ask your veterinarian to show you how to safely avoid cutting the quick.
I’ve tried several different nail clippers over the years, and my favorite has been the Pet Republique Cat Nail Clippers. They’re comfortable to use, make clean cuts, and have consistently been the easiest pair I’ve worked with.
6. Cat Scratchers
Every cat needs somewhere appropriate to scratch.
Scratching helps cats:
File and maintain their claws
Stretch their muscles
Relieve stress
Mark their territory naturally
Avoid scratching your furniture
Having multiple scratching posts or scratchers around the house is one of the easiest ways to encourage good scratching habits.
7. A Cat Carrier
Whether it’s for vet visits, emergencies, or traveling, every cat owner needs a quality carrier.
My personal favorite is the Petsfit Backpack Carrier. I’ve talked about it more in my first blog post because it’s been one of the best purchases I’ve made for Ralph. It’s comfortable, secure, and makes traveling with him much easier.
8. A Collar with Identification
Even indoor cats should wear a collar with identification whenever possible.
Accidents happen. Doors get left open, guests accidentally let cats slip outside, and curious cats can be surprisingly fast.
A collar with your contact information gives someone an easy way to reach you if your cat ever gets lost.
Recommended Items
These aren’t absolute necessities, but they’ve made life much easier for both Ralph and us.
Feliway Products
Feliway creates products that release synthetic versions of the calming facial pheromones cats naturally produce.
Since only cats can detect these pheromones, people won’t notice anything. They can help new cats feel more comfortable in unfamiliar environments and may reduce stress in certain situations.
I’ve personally had good experiences using Feliway in areas where I wanted Ralph to stay calm.
Cat Trees
Most cats love being up high.
Cat trees give them a place to climb, observe their surroundings, scratch, nap, and feel secure. Having vertical space is especially important for indoor cats.
Cat Toys
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise.
Having a variety of toys helps prevent boredom and encourages natural hunting behaviors.
Automatic toys can also be great when you’re busy, but I don’t recommend leaving your cat completely unattended with them for extended periods.
Automatic Feeders
Automatic feeders can be incredibly useful if you’ll be away for a day or two or simply want consistent feeding times.
If you’re feeding wet food, I recommend looking for feeders that include refrigeration or ice packs to keep the food fresh.
We also keep cameras pointed toward Ralph’s feeding area so we can check that he’s eating normally.
Indoor Cameras
Since our home already uses Ring security cameras, we have a few Ring Indoor Cameras set up around the apartment.
They’re incredibly helpful for checking on Ralph when we’re away and making sure he’s eating, relaxing, and behaving normally.
AirTag on the Collar
I don’t think an AirTag needs to stay on your cat’s collar every single day.
However, I always attach one whenever:
Guests are coming over
People will be opening doors frequently
Ralph is going outside
We’re taking him to the veterinarian
We’re going for a walk
Having that extra layer of protection gives me a lot of peace of mind.
A Catio
We recently added a catio attached to our deck, and it’s been one of Ralph’s favorite additions.
It gives him a safe way to enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and outdoor sights and sounds without the dangers of roaming freely outside.
Since Ralph hates being alone, it’s especially nice because he can relax outside with us while we’re enjoying the deck.
Litter Genie
One of the simplest purchases that has made litter box cleaning much easier is a Litter Genie.
Think of it as a diaper pail for cat waste. It seals away odors inside a special bag system, allowing you to scoop the litter box without having to walk to the outside trash every single time.
Keeping one right next to the litter box makes daily cleaning much faster while doing a great job containing unpleasant smells.
Final Thoughts
Every cat and every household is different, but starting with these essentials will set both you and your cat up for success.
Many of the recommended products simply make life easier, while the must-have items directly contribute to your cat’s health, comfort, and safety.
Remember that no product replaces spending quality time with your cat. The best thing you can give them is a loving home, good care, and plenty of attention. Everything else simply helps support that relationship.