Jonathan and Zooey Are Cat Owners! Get His Tips and New Kitten Checklist
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In case you missed it, Jonathan and Zooey expanded their family last year! They welcomed three adorable kittens to their home, The Park House: Poppy, Pickle, and Dove. Since then, they’ve been getting to know their new furry friends, and each has a different personality. Poppy is precocious, while Pickle is cute and cautious. And then there’s Dove, who runs the whole show. But getting a pet (much less three!) requires planning to ensure you have everything they need to play, eat, and grow comfortably. Jonathan’s loving spending time with the cats, and has helped put together a new kitten checklist so that anyone who’s just gotten a cuddly pal (or is thinking about it) can enter into their cat era with confidence.
Keep reading for some must-have essentials and tips to making the transition seamless. Then, you can focus on what matters—snuggling up with your cat!
1. Scratching Posts and Cat Trees
A cat’s gotta scratch! But don’t worry, there are a lot of cat trees and posts that are actually pretty stylish. We have this one that’s made with real branches that are covered with sisal for them to paw away at. It also has pom pom toys and cozy white finishes for the kitties to relax on. Dove is the queen of our house and she loves ruling from the top perch.
2. Litter Box
We love our Litter Robot. The cats like them as well, and they make cleanup way easier. Instead of having to scoop all the time, it automatically separates your cat’s unmentionables from the clean litter. All you have to do is empty the waste drawer when it’s full—and there’s even an app that will let you know when to do it.
3. Food and Water Bowls
These are obviously essential, but the fun part is picking them out! You can go all-in on the design aspect with something personalized or colorful, or focus more on the function and choose a simple, minimalist look. I’d highly recommend grabbing a washable mat to put underneath your bowls to protect your floors from water or food spills, too.
4. Toys
Cats are famous for loving their toys one day, and the next, acting like you’re a fool for even thinking they’d want to play with that fake mouse. We keep a bunch on-hand so we’re ready for any mood. We have all the classics like the plushes and wands, plus a few interactive options. If you really want a show, get them a few catnip toys, too. Oh, and a pro tip? Make sure you have a basket in your living room to stash these in when guests come over so the place doesn’t look cluttered.
5. Cat Carriers
Unlike most dogs, cats need their own special place when you take them to the vet or on an adventure. You can go as stylish or functional as you want, but I like an option with mesh sides that lets you see your little pal. That way you can comfort them if they get nervous on the road.
6. Cat Hair Removers
Buckle up, because I have a hard truth to share: Cat hair will be everywhere. But it’s worth it to cuddle up with those adorable faces. (Most of the time.) There are some pretty cool tools out there now, but ultimately a vacuum, a hand vacuum, and even a reusable lint roller tool like this are going to be your best friends. I also like to use a dry mop on the floors in between vacuums.
7. Beds
Last but not least—you gotta get a comfy bed for them. They deserve to be pampered, after all.
And here are a few more tips to keep in mind:
Find your vet right away: It’s important to make it to all your vet appointments so you can get the right vaccines and checkups they need to start off right. Also, have a number for a 24-hour animal hospital handy. Trust me—you don’t want to be scrambling on Google when an emergency comes up.
Get rid of any toxic plants: Cats are famously curious and sometimes like to nibble on plants. Move any toxic plants to another spot they can’t reach or replace them with pet-friendly options. (We have a whole list of them here.)
Pick up any cords: Cords look suspiciously like some of their favorite cat toys, so it’s easy to see why they’d want to swipe and chew on them. Make sure you have any loose cords controlled or consider covering them with protectors.
Food and treats: They’re growing kittens! I like to spoil them with these treats, but check with your vet to get the best list of snacks for your cat.
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