The New Cat Shopping List You Actually Need

If you’ve committed to adopting a cat or kitten (or two), it’s time to stock up on essential cat supplies. From toys and scratching posts to food, grooming, and litter box supplies, which items does your new bestie need to thrive?

Keep reading for a complete list of all the things you’ll need for a new cat, plus a few bonus goodies worth having on hand. Throughout, we’ll be spotlighting our PetSmart favorites.

Pro tip: Set up your PetSmart Autoship and save up to $20 on your first Autoship order. It makes all your future orders effortless (i.e., more cuddles with your bestie and less time running to the store).

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Food

Food will sit at the top of your shopping list and your cat’s priority list. Whether your cat is a kibble lover, a canned food devotee, or a little of both, their enthusiasm for mealtime should never wane. However, their nutritional needs will change.

• Kittens need extra nutrients, such as DHA, to support brain development. Look for foods specifically labeled for kittens or all life stages, such as Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Instinctive Loaf Kitten Food.

• For adult cats who can eat adult or all life-stages foods, IAMS^™ Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Control is a good choice. This recipe has extra fiber that helps move hairballs through a cat’s digestive tract while keeping them full between meals.

For seniors enjoying their golden years, adult food works just fine, but a recipe tailored to their needs, like IAMS^™ Proactive Health Senior Dry Cat Food, could be beneficial. This recipe is a good source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which may support aging joints.

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Bowls

As cute as it is functional, the Whisker City^® Ceramic Cat Ears Cat Saucer is a generous 5.5 inches across. Combined with a shallow design, it’s perfect for accommodating long whiskers and wide snouts. Plus, the non-slip bottom keeps things exactly where you left them, even for the most enthusiastic, bowl-licking, last-bite-getting kitties. It’s dishwasher safe, too.

If you have more than one cat, hit add to cart for more than one — every cat should have their own food bowl.

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Cat treats

Few things say “I love you” quite like a favorite treat. For many cats, Temptations^™ Creamy Purée Lickable Adult Cat Treats hit the spot. With a creamy texture and proteins cats love (chicken, tuna, and pork), they’re easy to squeeze out, and let your cat lick straight from the tube.

Treats do more than just show some love. They’re handy tools for rewarding good behavior (such as scratching the post, not the sofa), and they make less-than-fun moments (hello, nail trims) a little easier to get through. Just remember to limit treats to 10 percent or less of your cat’s total daily calories.

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Scratching enrichment

Speaking of scratching, it’s a natural — and necessary — cat behavior. This keeps nails healthy by shedding dead layers. It also allows cats to mark their territory with their scent, which helps them feel safe. Rather than fighting a cat’s desire to scratch, the goal is to redirect it.

The Whisker^® City 26-in Green Cactus Cat Scratching Post gives your cat a vertical surface to stretch up and drag their nails down — satisfying that instinct exactly the way nature intended. The playful cactus design is cute enough that you won’t mind it living in your living room.

Nail clippers

Even with scratching posts and cat trees to their heart’s content, kitties still need a nail trim every two to three weeks. The Whisker City^® Cat Nail Scissors are small and lightweight, making them easy to maneuver around little paws. The non-slip grip keeps things steady during squirmy moments, while the sharp stainless steel blades make a quick, clean cut — so you can get in and get out before your cat even knows what’s happened.

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Toys

Each cat has their own hunting style, and the Whisker City^® Variety Pack of Cat Toys has something for all of them. Springs to chase, mice to bat, balls to swat, and teaser wands for when you want to get in on the action, too. For cats who like wrestling with their play, the Whisker City^® Squid Kicker Cat Toy is a great add-on — something they can grab, bite, and bunny-kick to their heart’s content.

Whether you’re just getting to know your new kitty or have been besties for years, a mix of toys is the best way to keep them happily entertained.

Brush

Brushing is equally important for long- and short-haired cats — and honestly, it’s just as beneficial for you as it is for them. Regular brushing removes loose fur before it ends up on your couch, your jeans, and everything else you own. And it can help reduce hairballs, too. The Whisker City^® 2-in-1 Pin & Bristle Double-Sided Grooming Brush makes it easy with two tools in one. The soft bristle side gently lifts and removes loose fur, while the stainless steel pin side penetrates deeper to work through tangles and prevent mats.

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Bed

Will your cat always choose their designated bed over your keyboard? Absolutely not. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have a cozy spot to call their own. The Whisker City^® High Wall Cuddler Cat Bed is the kind of spot cats want to curl up in. The deep, cushioned walls cocoon them while sherpa lining and a plush center make it irresistibly soft.

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Litter box

Good litter habits start with the right setup. The ExquisiCat High-Sided Stainless Steel Litter Box is extra large — and when it comes to litter boxes, bigger really is better. Cats need enough room to turn around and dig comfortably without bumping the sides, and this one delivers that for kittens and adults alike. The high sides do a great job of keeping litter where it belongs, but pairing your box with the ExquisiCat Pocketed 2-Layer Cat Litter Trapping Mat catches whatever your tracks out on their way out.

A good rule of thumb is one litter box per cat, plus one extra.

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Litter

Stay on top of your cat’s urinary health with Pretty Litter Health Monitoring Crystal Cat Litter. The crystals change color when something may be off, giving you an early heads-up to schedule a vet visit. The soft, sand-like granules are easy on paws and encourage cats to dig and bury their waste. It’s also unscented (because cats’ noses are 10x more sensitive than ours), and the clumping formula makes daily scooping quick and easy. Pair it with the ExquisiCat Aluminum Cat Litter Scoop.