Cat Product Guides

Cover the basics first: a litter box and litter, food and water bowls, a scratching post, a carrier, and a bed or cosy spot. Add a few toys for play. A good rule is one litter box per cat plus one spare. Tech and extras can wait.

Pick a box about one and a half times your cat body length so it can turn around. Most cats prefer large, uncovered boxes with low sides. Older cats need a low lip to step over. Keep one box per cat plus one extra, in quiet, easy-to-reach spots.

Choose a post tall enough for a full stretch, usually at least 60 cm, and stable enough not to wobble. Cats tend to prefer sisal rope or cardboard over carpet. Offer both upright and flat options, and place them where your cat already likes to scratch.

They help with portion control and regular meal times, which is handy for busy schedules. Choose one with a secure lid a clever cat cannot open, easy-clean parts and a battery backup. They suit dry food best. Wet-food models need a cooling pack, and none replace daily checks on your cat.

Cats like beds that feel safe and warm. Soft, slightly enclosed or raised beds near a sunny window or a quiet corner tend to win. Match the size so your cat can curl up snugly. If it gets ignored, move it to a favourite napping spot before giving up.

Replace a plastic litter box every year or so, as scratches hold odour and bacteria. Swap a scratching post once the surface is shredded or it starts to wobble. Wash beds regularly and replace them when the padding flattens or they cannot be cleaned.