Have the everyday basics ready before your cat arrives: somewhere to eat, drink, toilet, rest, hide, scratch and play, plus a secure carrier. Start with a small, complete setup. You can decide whether the house needs an automatic feeder once it actually contains a cat.
The first-cat shopping checklist
These core needs follow Cats Protection’s bringing-home guidance. Our last column is a way to organise the shopping, rather than a list of products you must buy new.
| Job | Have ready | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Eating and drinking | Food and separate bowls | Ask what food is already being used |
| Toileting | Trays, litter and a scoop | Confirm the current litter and tray arrangement |
| Resting and hiding | Bedding and a hiding place | Check which suitable blankets or boxes you already have |
| Scratching and playing | A scratcher and a few toys | Start small; leave room to learn preferences |
| Travelling | A secure, cleanable carrier | Inspect closures and condition if borrowing |
For trays, Cats Protection recommends one per cat plus one extra, with enough room to turn around. That means planning for two for one cat. A tray that fits the available cupboard is only useful if it also fits the cat.
For entrance height and the space needed around a covered box, see top-entry vs front-entry litterboxes.
Prepare the space before filling the basket
Cats Protection advises a quiet starting room, separate food and water areas, a private toilet area away from them, and places to hide and rest. Its advice for kittens differs: provide a secure bed at ground level and show them where the essentials are. Read the full settling-in guidance, especially when introducing other animals.
Sketch the room and mark where each item will go. Then measure those spaces. This is less exciting than choosing colours, but substantially cheaper than discovering that the door no longer opens.
Make three lists: buy, already have, can wait
Buy: anything needed for the basic setup that you cannot suitably provide already. Record the size or requirement beside it, not just “tray” or “carrier”.
Already have: list suitable items by name and check their condition. Borrowed equipment belongs here only once you have confirmed it is available and usable. “My friend probably has one” is still an item on the buy list until your friend agrees.
Can wait: automatic feeders, fountains, decorative storage, additional beds and elaborate furniture. Our starting position is to add equipment when you can name the problem it will solve. If something is specifically needed for your cat’s care, move it out of this column.
If scheduled meals would solve a specific problem, our guide to choosing an automatic cat feeder covers the options and what to check.
Questions to ask before collection
- Which exact food and litter are being used?
- What equipment or familiar bedding comes with the cat?
- What age-specific or individual care instructions should I follow?
- Which veterinary records and identification details will I receive, and what remains to arrange?
- Who should I contact with settling-in questions?
Keep the answers in one note. An adult-cat checklist is not a complete kitten care plan; ask the rescue or your vet about the individual cat rather than buying around an assumption.
Leave room in the budget
Separate setup spending from the bills that repeat. Our UK cat budget guide provides that structure. If litter is the confusing bit, start with how to choose cat litter.
The aim is a home ready for a cat, with enough money left to keep it that way. You are allowed to stop shopping when that job is done.
Explore more life-at-home guides.
Research guide · Sources checked 7 September 2026. Product examples illustrate the decision; they are not hands-on reviews. How we work.