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Prepping your home
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The Petco new cat guide
Click below to navigate the exciting journey into pet parenthood with helpful tips, expert guidance and shopping recommendations for all your milestones together.
1. PREPPING YOUR HOME
Fill your space with supplies and essentials before your cat arrives to help them feel comfortable and safe from the start.
Top-recommended products to prep your home
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Establish a safe space for your cat in a single room. Once they are comfortable in this room, open new spaces, one at a time, for them to explore.
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For pheromone-based calming aids to work, they need to be turned on for a week before you bring home your new cat.
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Prepping your home before your cat arrives helps them feel welcome and secure while they get used to their new space.
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Prepping your home before your cat arrives helps them feel welcome and secure while they get used to their new space.
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Scratching is a natural behavior used to communicate and mark territory, and providing multiple scratching options and styles can help them learn the appropriate places to scratch.
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You should always have at least one litter box per cat—plus an additional litter box—to encourage healthy litter box behavior and reduce the chance of accidents.
2. FIRST NIGHT TOGETHER
Help your new cat feel cozy the first night with you with the right supplies.
Set up a safe place
Create a small, dedicated space with their bed, litter box, food, water and toys to help them adjust to their new home.
Let them explore at their own pace
Allow your cat to come out of their travel carrier when they want to and make sure not to rush them.
Make introductions slowly
At a comfortable pace for your cat, allow your friends and family to meet them while making sure each interaction is short and positive by rewarding them with treats.
Top-recommended products for their first night
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Beds with comfy bolsters provide added support and a feeling of security to help your cat sleep.
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Having a variety of toys to choose from can help prevent boredom and undesired behaviors.
3. Finding the right nutrition
Set a strong foundation for their physical health with quality nutrition.
Why we believe in quality nutrition
Quality nutrition helps your cat have healthier skin, a shinier coat and improved vitality and longevity.
What to look for in cat food
When looking for cat food, consider your cat’s age, health needs, such as food sensitivities or weight management, and choose a recipe that suits their specific lifestage. Opt for cat food with high-quality ingredients and a complete and balanced recipe.
Health starts with what's in their bowl
Build a balanced bowl with quality nutrition and toppers to help ensure a healthy diet.
Why we believe in quality nutrition
Quality nutrition helps your cat have healthier skin, a shinier coat and improved vitality and longevity.
What to look for in cat food*
Our nutrition standards are a first step in a journey toward better health for the pets we all love.
*See how Petco defines artificial ingredients at petco.com/nutritionstandards.
Health starts with what's in their bowl
Build a balanced bowl with quality nutrition and toppers to help ensure a healthy diet.
Top-recommended nutrition picks
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Did you know if your cat doesn't like the food you buy, you can return it to Petco at no cost to you?
Learn about our no-risk, 100% money-back guarantee at petco.com/returns.
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Did you know if your cat doesn't like the food you buy, you can return it to Petco at no cost to you?
Learn about our no-risk, 100% money-back guarantee at petco.com/returns.
PETCO
TIP
Did you know if your cat doesn't like the food you buy, you can return it to Petco at no cost to you?
Learn about our no-risk, 100% money-back guarantee at petco.com/returns.
4. FIRST TRIP TO THE VET
Visiting the vet regularly from the start can help support your cat's physical health and overall wellness.
5. Building your bond
Socializing with your cat helps strengthen your relationship while providing the stimulation and exposure they need for positive physical, mental and social health.
Tunnels
Provide a safe space to hide, play and explore—and they often have a hidden toy for even more entertainment.
Toys & catnip
Encourage them to play when they're alone so they stay mentally stimulated.
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Cats enjoy both social play with you, like a game of hide-and-seek, and object play, where they can pounce, bat and stalk various types of toys.
Carriers
Provide a safe way to transport your cat during trips to the vet or other outings.
Harnesses & leashes
Depending on your cat's temperament, you may be able to leash-train them.
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Training your cat to walk on a leash takes time and patience, so make sure to start slowly and
follow our tips.Frequently Asked Questions
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While cats are typically lower maintenance pets and can mostly take care of themselves, a kitten may need additional attention if you plan to be gone for long stretches of time. If you have adopted a new or very young kitten, it's best to not leave them alone for more than a four-hour stretch without checking on them to ensure they have plenty of water and have not gotten into any dangerous situations while exploring their new surroundings. As they age, they will be perfectly happy waiting for you to return from work to play with them.
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Different kittens may take different amounts of time to become fully adjusted to their new space. You can help your new family member get used to their new home by giving them a safe place to call their own and slowly introducing them to other people and pets.
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If you're adopting a new kitten, start by getting these essential supplies before bringing them home: kitten food, kitten treats and food and water bowls; litter, a litterbox and accessories, like a scoop, deodorizer and litter liners; a stain and odor remover; a cat scratcher; a perch or cat condo; toys; a bed; a collar and ID tags; a kitten carrier; and calming solutions, like supplements or diffusers.
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Your new kitten will likely feel overwhelmed and a little bit nervous when they first come home. You can alleviate some of this by creating a safe space in a bedroom or bathroom and letting them explore and get used to that area first. If you have other pets in your home, make sure introductions happen slowly.
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A basic supplies checklist for your new cat includes cat food, cat treats and food and water bowls; litter, a litterbox and accessories, like a scoop, deodorizer and litter liners; a stain and odor remover; a cat scratcher; a perch or cat condo; toys; a bed; a collar and ID tags; a travel carrier; and calming solutions, like supplements or diffusers.
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Depending on your new cat's age and personality, they may take some time to become fully accustomed to their new space. To help ease this transition, be sure you have all the right supplies before you bring your new cat home. Once there, give them a dedicated space, introduce them to other people and pets slowly and give them hands-on attention when they want it.