Cats are fairly self-sufficient creatures. They don't require walks, are extremely adept at keeping themselves clean and don't require a hutch or cage when you're out as they can generally be trusted not to chew through those expensive phone charger cables or scare the postie, although there are some videos on Youtube that suggest otherwise! For those looking for a low maintenance companion, cats fit the bill perfectly.
The humble domestic cat makes for a pretty lethal predator, however they are fairly small creatures and can be quite skittish so need plenty of safe spaces to retreat to. They are also very particular about how and where they eat and relieve themselves, so care must be taken when setting up litter boxes and food bowls. Although their requirements are minimal, there are still several essential pieces of equipment needed before your new cat joins your household.
Litter Boxes
The great thing about cats is that they generally don't need to be litter trained - mummy cat takes care of that at the age of around four weeks. The ideal litter box will be deep enough to accommodate a litter depth of at least three centimetres and situated away from areas of high traffic. Cats love their privacy and, just like us humans, prefer to do their business in peace and quiet. Litter boxes come either as a simple tray or with a cover. Cats prefer to do their business uncovered, however if you do plump for a covered litter tray buy one with a filter and a removable door as many cats don't like them.
Some people recommend one litter tray per cat plus one extra, however having at least one per cat should suffice. I cut my total down to two for my three cats as I found three trays to be excessive, however they all tend to use the same one anyway while the spare hardly gets used!
Litter boxes need to be cleaned regularly, at least twice a day. If your cat is of the outdoor persuasion you'll find that job an awful lot easier as they'll do most of their business outside, however if your cats are kept indoors more care needs to be taken to keep things clean.
When it comes to the type of litter used, that is likely to be dependent on your cat's preference. Some cats prefer the traditional clay varieties such as Catsan, whereas other cats are equally happy with wooden pellets. The main things to consider when choosing a good litter are odour control and disposal. Litter that clumps is highly recommended as it makes cleaning so much easier. I personally prefer to use litter made from wood and swear by Cats Best. Odour control is fantastic, it lasts much longer than other brands and is also compostable, cutting down on landfill waste generated by clay varieties. It can also be flushed down the toilet, making cleaning numerous litter trays a much easier task.
As we all know, cats love to sleep. They're so good at sleeping, they spend around two thirds of their lives doing it. Cats are also notorious for picking the most absurd sleeping spots, so it's understandable that many people decide not to invest in an expensive bed when their cat prefers to sleep in the box it came in! However, it's still important to set up comfortable, secluded areas for your cat to escape to for a snooze or some quiet time, whether that be a cat bed, old blanket or the ubiquitous box.
