Page 206 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

204 C ARE AND BEHA VIOR

Equipment for your cat
If you are a new cat owner, you’ll need to buy a certain
amount of equipment for your pet’s comfort and well-being.
These items include a bed, a litter box, feeding and drinking
bowls, and a scratching post. It’s tempting to go for the
latest “must have” items, but think carefully about whether
your cat really needs such things. Start with good-quality
basic items that are within your budget, since the initial
outlay on your cat will quickly mount up. You can think about
treating him to more products later on.

Bed and bedding
Felines will take a catnap anywhere that captures their fancy,
but like most animals they really appreciate somewhere that
is exclusively their territory. Choose a round or oval, washable,
soft-sided bed that is not too big. A blanket or old cushion can HANGING AROUND
be added if your cat is not yet fully grown. Suspended from a radiator, this
cat bed provides your pet with
a warm, cozy place to sleep.

CAT BEDS
Beds come in a wide range of
styles. If you know what kind
of bed your cat used before
joining your family, choose
that type; otherwise, try to
match the bed style with what
Basket style Tent style you know of his character.

Litter boxes WHICH LITTER TO CHOOSE?
Open, covered, manual, automatic, self-cleaning—
■ Ask the breeder which litter the kitten
the choice of litter boxes is ultimately up to you. is used to and stick with the same type.
However, if you are acquiring an older cat, stick ■ Clay is the most popular type of litter,
to the type of box with which he is familiar: a cat because it absorbs moisture quickly and
used to an open box, for example, is likely to be clumps are easy to remove.
reluctant to change to a covered one. Choosing ■ Fiber pellets are very absorbent
products and are biodegradable.
the right litter material may involve some trial
and error before you find a brand that your Litter box ■ Nonabsorbent litter needs to be used
in conjunction with a special box that
cat likes using and that meets your own drains the urine into a collecting unit.
requirements for cleaning. You can also add Feces need to be removed and disposed
deodorizers to the litter. These come as sprays, Scoop of, but the litter material itself can be
washed and reused.
powders, or granules; avoid scented products,
■ Soil and sand are popular choices for
since these may deter your cat from using the
most cats. However, they may not be
box. The best deodorizers use enzymes to break suitable for use in apartments or houses
down smells. A plastic scoop will be useful for without yards, because they are bulky to
store and are not biodegradable.
removing clumps of urine and stools from the
litter. Always wash the scoop after using it. Clay Fiber pellets