Cat Owner's Manual › Chapter 2: Bringing Your Cat Home › Recommended Cat Accessories ›

Recommended Cat Accessories, Part I

Commercial retailers offer thousands of peripherals designed to enhance the life cycle of standard kittens and cats. Most are not mandatory. However, the following add-ons are essential:

Cat Litter BoxLitter Box: Position this in a quiet spot where the cat has ready access to it. There should be one for each cat in the household, plus an extra. Cats seem to prefer open litter boxes (which allow them to escape easily, should the situation arise), as opposed to the "hooded" variety.


Cat BedBed: Studies show that approximately 60 percent of American domestic cats sleep with their owners. If you wish your feline to sleep somewhere else, numerous purpose-made products are available. One of the most popular (at least with cats) are high-walled, cup-shaped beds with removable, washable cloth covers. These beds retain body heat and allow their occupants to curl into a tight ball.

expert tipEXPERT TIP: To cats, sleeping arrangements are a highly personal (and idiosyncratic) decision. Some felines ignore the most costly purpose-built beds in favor of an old pillow or a spot on the couch. Once they have selected a preferred place, it is difficult to dissuade them from using it.

Cat Scratching PostScratching Post: A model covered with sisal rope is preferable to carpet-covered versions, which may lead a cat to believe that all carpeted and upholstered surfaces are fair game.


Cat ToysToys: These need not be elaborate. Indeed, the simplest often provide the most enjoyment. (See Games, Toys, and Amusements.)

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Chapter 2: Bringing Your Cat Home

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Quirk BooksThe Cat Owner's Manual is a basic guide to cat care.
The book was written by a celebrated veterinarian and an acclaimed author. It provides cat owners with well-researched and helpful information presented in a lighthearted manner. The creators chose to write the book in a style similar to what you'd find in "operating instructions" for a car or computer. Of course they--and we--respect the fact that our beloved pets are not products or machines!