Dry, wet food and soups
For most cats we recommend N&D dry food. They have a wide selection, including functional food, like Skin&Coat and Hairball.
Good options include:
Another approved brand of dry food is Purizon. The ingredients are very similar.
Good options include:
Good options include:
- N&D Chicken & Pomegranate Neutered No grain (kitten for cats younger than 1 year)
- N&D Quail & Pomegranate Neutered No grain
- N&D Duck & Quinoa Neutered No grain
Another approved brand of dry food is Purizon. The ingredients are very similar.
Good options include:
- Purizon Chicken with fish Sterilised
- Purizon Turkey with chicken Sterilised
As for the wet food, each cat will have their preferences, but most cats would enjoy:
- GranataPet Symphonies (this series has the most muscle meat and is complete). It’s suitable for daily feeding;
- N&D wet food is also rich in muscle meat, is complete and perfect for daily feeding;
- MAC’s, Wild freedom, GRAU, Purizon and Dolina Noteci (Superfood series only) are all great but quite rich in organs, so it’s recommended to include more muscle meat in the diet (Applaws, Cosma);
- Applaws and Cosma are made of muscle meat and either rice or veggies; not complete, so they shouldn’t be more than 20% of the diet.
We recommend to include soups into daily menu, it’s a great way to support urinary health:
- Cosma
- GranataPet
- ProPlan Hydracare
Treats:
- freeze-dried meat with no additives (Cosma, Purizon)
- Miamor (ideal for the vet visits and giving medication)
- Churu
- Cosma Jelly Snack
For easy elimination of hairballs:
Note, that cat grass is not a substitute for malt paste.
If a cat throws up every time they have cat grass, it should be given in smaller amounts and less often. A cat shouldn’t throw up regularly. A safe way to eliminate hairballs is malt paste (or Easy pill hairball supplement).
- malt paste or easy pill hairball
- cat grass (catit, trixie)
Note, that cat grass is not a substitute for malt paste.
If a cat throws up every time they have cat grass, it should be given in smaller amounts and less often. A cat shouldn’t throw up regularly. A safe way to eliminate hairballs is malt paste (or Easy pill hairball supplement).
Stress-management
A must have for any cat parent is matatabi. Ideally both powder and sticks. The best powder brand is Japan Premium Pet, their matatabi is the most potent. The sticks can be ordered from zoohit. We recommend using powder daily during the first days after adoption and afterwards before every vet visit or stressful event and also to initiate play and promote relaxation. Matatabi also works as an appetite enhancer.
Another amazing find for shy cats is a pillow with valerian from Aumüller. Can be also found on zoohit. Valerian can be too stimulating for cats prone to high activity, so we only use it with shy cats.
Catnip is great to have on hand. Trying different brands is best, but he found that catnip from Aumüller is quite potent.
Matatabi is the only thing we recommend for all cats without exception (unless allergic to matatabi), while catnip is great for most and valerian only for some.
Catnip is great to have on hand. Trying different brands is best, but he found that catnip from Aumüller is quite potent.
Matatabi is the only thing we recommend for all cats without exception (unless allergic to matatabi), while catnip is great for most and valerian only for some.
We strongly caution against ordering anything for your cat on Shein and Temu. There’s a risk of heavy metal contamination in their products.
Water bowl and food bowls
At least one water bowl needs to be wide and deep, preferably ceramic (600 ml+), and then an owner needs to figure out what else their cat prefers to drink from and where. It can be from a glass, a tap, etc. Drinking enough (~40-60 ml per kg) is very important for urinary and overall health.
As for the food bowls, the most convenient for cats are wide and narrow ones. A slight elevation is great as well.
Food and water bowls should be placed at least 1-1.5 metres from each other, this way water will be fresher for longer. All bowls must be washed daily.
As for the food bowls, the most convenient for cats are wide and narrow ones. A slight elevation is great as well.
Food and water bowls should be placed at least 1-1.5 metres from each other, this way water will be fresher for longer. All bowls must be washed daily.
Scratching posts
Scratching posts should to be high and thick. Posts higher than 60 cm are recommended. Ideally, a cat should have a few scratching opportunities. We like to combine scratching posts with cardboard scratchers.
An example of a basic scratching post:
Scratching post
An example of a basic scratching post:
Scratching post
Cat trees
Cat trees are an amazing way to promote exercise and they also provide a high vantage point for cats to feel safe. The main condition for a cat tree is that it’s stable. Many cat trees on the market aren’t safe, nor high-quality. One that we find amazing is from Natural Paradise (Magnolia XL and Magnolia XL Plus): Natural Paradise cat tree
Litter boxes
Litter box should be spaceful (50 cm+). The layer of litter – 5-6 cm. It’s usually better to start with an open box and propose a closed one as an alternative.
Litter
Most cats I’ve met preferred bentonite litter. The least dusty bentonite is Biokat’s Sensitive.
Still, many cats would be happy to use wooden (Cat’s best) or Tofu (Cat Step). They both can be flushed, so it’s a more convenient option.
A rule of thumb is to always propose a cat two litters if you’re unsure of what they prefer.
Never use red/orange clay litter, they are the most dusty. Also, avoid silicate litter and scented ones. (Tofu Green tea scented seems to be ok for most cats, the scent is very natural).
Still, many cats would be happy to use wooden (Cat’s best) or Tofu (Cat Step). They both can be flushed, so it’s a more convenient option.
A rule of thumb is to always propose a cat two litters if you’re unsure of what they prefer.
Never use red/orange clay litter, they are the most dusty. Also, avoid silicate litter and scented ones. (Tofu Green tea scented seems to be ok for most cats, the scent is very natural).
Toys
Say “yes” to long cat rods, interactive toys from Catit, food puzzles, and hard “no” to lasers (they cause frustration and negatively affect nervous system).
Carriers
We strongly advise to purchase hard plastic box instead of a soft carrier.
Plastic boxes are more secure and safe and provide a good temperature control. Still, always double check that a box is intact.
Soft carriers tend to overheat fast, they are not safe in cases of emergency or a car crash, they are also easier for a cat to get out of.
We only recommend cat backpacks for shorter trips (unless it’s the one with temperature control).
Plastic boxes are more secure and safe and provide a good temperature control. Still, always double check that a box is intact.
Soft carriers tend to overheat fast, they are not safe in cases of emergency or a car crash, they are also easier for a cat to get out of.
We only recommend cat backpacks for shorter trips (unless it’s the one with temperature control).
Fur care
For fur care we love Furminators. They work great for most cats. For especially challenging fur (long and not sleek) conditioners in a form of spray can be used.
Note, that cats DO NOT require washing. A healthy cat is self-cleaning. Washing negatively affects the skin and is stressful for a cat.
Dental care
Brushing your cat’s teeth daily helps prevent gum disease. This doesn’t mean a cat won’t ever need professional cleaning but it decreases the amount of bacteria and so chances are they will need professional dental cleaning less often.
- VIRBAC Enzymatická zubní pasta
- Our favorite brush
- Antibacterial gel for inflamed gums
