Cat Essentials 10 Things Your Cat Needs to Be Happy Indoors

The best cat essentials list includes everything you need for a happy cat.

It’s important to have a clean litter box and food and water bowls, fun cat furniture, enrichment, and safety essentials before you bring your new cat home.

These essentials will help make your new cat feel at home.

These are the 10 things your cat needs:

1. Fun cat toys
2. Window perch for cat entertainment
3. Sanitary cat food and water dishes
4. Soft-case cat carrier
5. Comfy cat beds
6. Activity centers for play
7. Scratching areas
8. Healthy cat treats
9. A clean litter box
10. Tall cat condos

Tip: Cats are finicky so it’s best to have several options available from this cat essentials list.

Disclaimer: I earn a commission if you purchase through affiliate links below. No additional cost to you. 

1. Fun cat toys

Wild cats get exercise and mental stimulation from hunting. Indoor cats don’t hunt. So they must play.

Cat toys provide stimulation. Mental stimulation is essential for cats to be happy.

• Keeps cats from getting bored
• Gets cats active
• Toys mimic the hunting experience

Always buy high-quality cat toys free from synthetic materials and harsh chemicals.

Most big pet manufacturers typically use synthetic materials and harsh chemicals.

These harmful materials and chemicals can cause stress and allergic reactions in cats.

That potentially means expensive vet bills and an upset cat.

See my top picks for best cat toys.

Check out my guide “my cat isn’t interested in playing” if you’re struggling to get your cat to play.

Cat toys are essential because cats need to play to be happy indoors.

2. Window perch for cat entertainment

Window watching is the cat’s best friend. The window provides endless entertainment for your cat.

Let your cat window watch. Even if your view stinks!

• Cats love to watch their territory
• Endless entertainment
• Helps cats feel safe
• A safe and comfortable cat is a happy cat

A window perch gives your cat safe access to the window.

The window perch I have:

• Sticks to the windowsill with hook and loop adhesive
• Has a memory foam mat for added comfort
• Comes with a soft, washable cover
• No power tools required

Buy the window perch on Amazon and Chewy (similar to what I have).

Tip: My window perch ledge rests on a cat condo for added security and safety. Clients and friends have tried the hammocks that suction cup to the window. Their cats did not use it.

A window perch gives your cat a safe way to watch beyond his territory. This helps cats feel safe, comfortable, and happy.

3. Sanitary cat food and water dishes

By sanitary, I mean stainless steel, ceramic, or glass. Avoid plastic.

Plastic traps bacteria. Even with regular washing.

My food set up:

• Shallow stainless steel plate
• Stainless steel water dishes
• Large, waterproof, FDA-grade silicone food mat
• More sanitary
• Easier to clean
• Keeps the food area clean

Buy the food plate and mat on Amazon. The water dishes are on Chewy.

Check out Tuft + Paw if you prefer a modern or rustic look.

Tip: Use filtered water. I use a stainless steel faucet filter. Remember, plastic traps bacteria.

A sanitary food and water dish keeps cats happy because cats are finicky about cleanliness.

4. Soft-case cat carrier

A good quality cat carrier is essential. Cats prefer a soft-case carrier because it’s comfortable and it doesn’t feel like a prison.

Vet trips will be much easier if your cat is more comfortable in her carrier.

• Soft-case carriers are more comfortable for your cats
• Less bulky and easier to carry
• Most of them fold down for simple storage

Multiple entryways are helpful for cats that don’t like the carrier.

Your Cat Backpack:

• Comes with soft bedding inside
• Opens on front and top for easy entry
• The hard bottom keeps my cat stable and secure
• Mesh throughout for quality airflow
• Backpack straps for safe carrying
• Comes with a safety inner leash clip
• Self-lock zippers to prevent your cat from escaping
• Lots of pockets for water bottles and cat ID tags

Buy Your Cat Backpack from their website (get $15 off). Or buy on Amazon.

Tip: Use healthy treats and toys to get your cat used to the new cat carrier.

A soft-case cat carrier is essential because it makes traveling easier. That means a less stressed cat.

5. Comfy cat beds

Some cats will sleep with their humans every night. Jericho cuddles with me every night!

However, extra private beds will make your cat feel safe in his territory.

Your cat still wants private beds. Even if he sleeps in bed with you.

• Safe space for hiding
• A warm place to curl up for naps when you aren’t home
• Fun place to hide treats for added enrichment

Shop my top picks for high-quality cat beds:

Tip: Put some blankets in a box for a DIY bed. Cats love boxes!

Private beds make cats happy because it’s a safe, warm spot for napping.

6. Activity centers for play

Activity centers provide lots of enrichment. There are multiple ways to use them and play with them.

My top pick, the Ripple Rug:

• Made from recycled plastic bottles
• Cats can scratch, hunt, play, and rest
• Machine-washable, cold and delicate cycle
• Durable and holds its shape
• Many different ways to restructure it
• Hook loop fasteners hold the rugs together

Jericho and I play on the Ripple Rug daily.

Buy the Ripple Rug on Amazon and Chewy. Beware of knockoffs!

You may want to buy directly from Ripple Rug. Their website has different color options and international shipping).

Another great option is a foraging mat on Etsy and Amazon.

The Ripple Rug makes cats happy because there are many ways to use it. Cats love to scratch the rugs and hunt for toys inside the ripples.

7. Scratching areas

Wild cats sharpen their claws to catch and kill prey. They scratch on trees to sharpen their claws.

All cats have the urge to scratch and sharpen their claws. Even if your cat has always lived indoors.

• Scratching removes dead layers of claws
• Allows cats to stretch
• Natural stress reliever
• Cats mark their territory because scents are released through paws
• Makes cats feel safe and comfortable

This is an essential item because you don’t want your cat to claw your furniture.

I purchased a cheap scratching post from Amazon. I had to replace the sisal rope thrice in 2 years.

So I decided to upcycle with carpet instead of buying more sisal. I upcycled it a few times and then once more before I donated it.

Then I upgrade to Purrfect Post.

My top picks for scratching areas (that are built to last):

Never declaw your cat!

This surgery is an amputation of the toe, not just the nail. The human equivalent of this surgery would be losing the top inch of your finger.

Even declawed cats have the urge to scratch.

Now imagine how frustrating it is to have the urge to scratch when you know you can’t.

Tip: Use catnip, treats, toys, or scratch the post yourself to teach your cat how to use it.

All cats have the urge to scratch. Scratching areas make cats happy because scratching is a natural stress reliever.

8. Healthy cat treats

Treats are a fun way to engage your cat. But you need healthy treats.

Most crunchy cat treats for teeth are filled with carbs, dangerous colors, and unnecessary ingredients cats are not meant to eat.

Only feed high-quality treats made with meat only.

• Cats are designed to eat meat
• Crunchy treats contain carbs
• Carbs lead to unnecessary weight gain and obesity
• Obese cats are at higher risk for cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, other serious health issues, and shortened lives
• Carbs are bad for cat teeth

But doesn’t crunchy food clean cat teeth?

What if your friend said this to you…

“I don’t need to brush my teeth because crunchy cookies clean my teeth.”

Buy high-quality treats that have only one ingredient: meat.

I get all of Jericho’s ground raw food from here. But they also have dehydrated muscle meats and organs that make perfect treats. Create an account and earn discount points on purchases.

Made with turkey, beef, and lamb livers. Also available on Amazon.

Tip: Hide treats in cat condos, beds, between furniture, on top of scratching posts, and wherever else they fit. This is a great way to challenge your cat.

Healthy treats make cats happy because they are made with meat only. Meat-only foods keep cats healthy.

9. A clean litter box

Your cat needs a place to do her business, and you don’t want it all over the house.

A clean litter box keeps your cat happy because it’s what she deserves.

• Prevents the risk of UTI and other health issues
• Decreases the chance of behavioral issues
• No inappropriate bathroom accidents

I only spend 5 minutes a week on litter box maintenance.

My litter box routine:

Stainless steel box on Amazon and Chewy. Plastic traps bacteria which means more stink and difficult cleaning. Steel is a one-time investment. Plastic needs to be replaced yearly, minimum.

Ripple Rug bottom only. I use this as a litter mat (pictured above).

Double-layer litter mat. Traps track litter. Easy to clean between the layers which means fewer bacteria and less stink. Buy on Amazon, Chewy, or Only Natural Pet. I use the Ripple Rug bottom only now. But I used to use this litter mat, and it’s a great choice if the rug doesn’t work for you.

Metal scoop. Ditch plastic. Metal is more sanitary and easier to clean. Buy on Amazon or Chewy.

Unscented, naturally clumping litter. No litter is perfect, unfortunately. I’ve tried 11 types. Currently, I use walnut litter available on Amazon, Chewy, Pets Warehouse, and Only Natural Pet.

DIY litter genie. Keeps waste in one place (and not in my kitchen garbage).

Scoop every time your cat goes. Clean out the box completely once a week. No exceptions.

Don’t fill the box all the way. Put in a mound shape about 3 inches high. Reshape the mound after you scoop.

I’ve scooped hundreds of boxes. I’ve tried every type of litter.

My litter box routine is the best because it keeps my cat happy and healthy.

Tip: Check out my guides: how to keep litter box area clean, litter box hacks, clumping cat litter, cat refuses to use the litter box.

You’re happy when your bathroom is clean, right? A clean litter box keeps your cat happy and healthy too.

10. Tall cat condos

Cats like to climb and watch over their territory from a high point. A tall cat condo is a perfect solution for this.

Cat condos have many enrichment benefits for cats.

• Multiple perches perfect for napping
• Cats love to climb and be up high
• Offers more scratching areas
• Cats can safely watch over their territory

My top picks for cat condos and trees:

Made with wood and carpet. Many size options and colors to choose from. This is my cat’s favorite.

Large treehouses made with real tree branches. Amazing for people that love nature.

Modern condos made with real tree branches and soft plush. Mau plants a new tree for every purchase made. They also donate 5% of proceeds to charity.

More modern cat furniture pieces that are handmade. They also donate to charities.

Made with wood and carpet. It’s a condo shaped like a tree. Perfect for abstract art lovers.

Cat condos make cats happy because they satisfy many enrichment needs.

Final thoughts on cat essentials list

Cats require enrichment and mental stimulation to be happy indoors.

This cat essentials list will keep your cat from being bored.

Use catnip, toys, or treats to get your cat engaged with his new stuff.

Always buy high-quality products from companies that you trust.

This is better for your cat’s health and your wallet in the long run.

Don’t underestimate the importance of playtime

A bonus essential is healthy cat food! We are what we eat!

Need more help making your cat happy indoors? Check out my single cat household tips next!