New Cat Checklist & Startup Cost Calculator

New cat owners need $200-1200 for startup costs depending on budget level. Our calculator provides complete shopping list with brand recommendations (budget, mid-range, premium) and calculates exact costs for kittens, adults, and senior cats. Essential items must be purchased before cat arrives home.

Before You Bring Cat Home (Setup Day)

1. Litter box setup (2 boxes minimum for 1 cat): Place in quiet, accessible location. NOT near food/water. NOT in loud areas (near washer/dryer). Pour 2-3 inches litter. Show cat litter box immediately upon arrival.

2. Food/water stations (separate locations): Cats prefer water away from food (instinct—standing water near food = contaminated). Stainless or ceramic bowls only (plastic causes chin acne). Fill fresh water, provide small meal.

3. Safe room setup: Dedicate one room (bedroom, office) for first 3-7 days. Cat will hide—normal. Provide hiding spots (open carrier, cardboard box). Don't force interaction. Let cat approach you.

4. Scratching posts (2+ locations): Place near sleeping areas (cats scratch after waking). Offer vertical (sisal rope post) and horizontal (cardboard scratcher) options. Encourage use with catnip.

First 24-48 Hours: What to Expect

Hiding is normal. New cat may hide under bed 24-48 hours. Don't drag out. Provide food/water/litter box access in safe room. Sit quietly nearby, let cat investigate you at own pace. Some cats adjust in hours, others take weeks.

May not eat first 12-24 hours. Stress suppresses appetite. Offer favorite food (ask shelter what they fed). If not eating after 24 hours, try warming wet food (enhances smell). If refusing food 48+ hours, call vet.

Litter box use immediately. Most cats use litter box within first few hours. If not using by 24 hours, ensure box is clean, quiet location, same litter type as shelter used.

Essential Items: Don't Skip These

Litter boxes (2 for 1 cat, 3 for 2 cats): Rule: 1 box per cat + 1 extra. Covered boxes reduce smell but some cats refuse (feel trapped). Start with open box. Large boxes better (cats need room to turn around).

Carrier (hard-sided recommended): Essential for vet visits (first visit within 1 week). Soft carriers collapse in accidents. Top-loading carriers easier for scared cats. Leave carrier out 24/7 as "safe space" (put treats inside).

Scratching posts (vertical + horizontal): Prevents furniture destruction. Cats NEED to scratch (sharpens claws, marks territory, stretches muscles). Vertical posts should be 30+ inches tall. Sisal rope better than carpet.

ID tag + microchip: Collar tags fall off. MICROCHIP is permanent (inserted under skin, $25-50 at vet). Register microchip number online with your contact info. Indoor cats escape—40% of lost cats never found without ID.

First Vet Visit (Within 1 Week): What to Expect

Cost: $100-400 depending on what's needed. Shelters often include first vet visit or discount voucher. Bring adoption papers (vaccination record, spay/neuter proof).

What vet will do: Physical exam (check teeth, ears, heart, weight), FIV/FeLV test (contagious cat diseases), fecal test (parasites—90% of kittens have worms), vaccines (rabies, FVRCP), deworming medication.

Questions to ask vet: Is spay/neuter done? (If not, schedule at 4-6 months). Any health concerns? What food do you recommend? How often should I bring cat for checkups? (Kittens: every 3-4 months. Adults: annually. Seniors 7+: every 6 months).

Common First-Week Issues

Diarrhea (first 3-5 days): Stress-related. Normal if cat is eating, drinking, active. Provide probiotics (FortiFlora), ensure hydration. If bloody diarrhea, vomiting, or lethargy, call vet immediately.

Upper respiratory infection (sneezing, eye discharge): Common in shelter cats (stressful environment spreads disease). Usually mild, resolves in 7-14 days. Call vet if not eating, difficulty breathing, green/yellow discharge.

Peeing outside litter box: Medical (UTI, bladder stones) or behavioral (dirty box, wrong litter, stress). Rule out medical first (vet visit). Behavioral fixes: Clean box daily, try different litter, add second box.

Budget Breakdown: Where to Save, Where to Splurge

Splurge on: Food (wet food), initial vet visit, carrier. Food affects long-term health (wet food prevents kidney disease, diabetes). Vet visit catches problems early. Quality carrier lasts 15+ years.

Save on: Toys, cat bed, bowls. DIY toys work great (cardboard boxes, crumpled paper, string). Cat will sleep in your bed anyway. Basic ceramic bowls from thrift store ($2) work same as $20 designer bowls.

Mid-range: Litter, litter box, scratching post. Cheap litter (non-clumping) wastes money long-term. Invest in good clumping litter (Dr. Elsey's). Decent litter box + scratching post prevents behavior problems.

Kitten-Specific Needs

Kitten food until 1 year: Needs 2-3x more calories than adult food. Don't switch to adult food early (stunts growth). Free-feed under 16 weeks (won't overeat). Scheduled meals 16 weeks+ (prevents obesity).

Spay/neuter at 4-6 months: Most shelters do this before adoption. If not, schedule ASAP. Prevents spraying, yowling, escaping, unwanted litters. Recovery: 7-10 days restricted activity.

Deworming every 2 weeks until 12 weeks: 90% of kittens have roundworms, giardia. Vet provides deworming medication. Watch for diarrhea, bloated belly, vomiting (signs of heavy parasite load).

Senior Cat-Specific Needs

Senior bloodwork essential: Cats 7+ need bloodwork to check kidney function, thyroid, blood sugar. 30-40% of cats 10+ have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Early detection extends lifespan 2-3 years.

Low-entry litter boxes: Arthritis affects 90% of cats 12+. Standard litter boxes (6+ inches high) painful to enter. Get low-entry boxes (3 inches) or cut entry in plastic storage container.

Elevated food/water bowls: Reduces neck/joint strain. Inexpensive raised feeders ($10-15) or stack books under bowls.