By Emma Hartley | Last updated July 28, 2026 | This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we’d actually put in our own home.
Your cat is coming home in a few days and you’re standing in the pet aisle at 9pm, overwhelmed by forty different litter boxes and a wall of food you’ve never heard of. Here’s the short version: you need five essential items for your indoor cat starter kit before your cat walks through the door, and most of what’s marketed to new owners is either overkill or wrong for a first-week setup.
The five essentials, ranked by what to buy first: a litter box your cat will actually use, a carrier that won’t turn vet visits into a wrestling match, food appropriate for your cat’s age, a scratching post placed before your couch becomes the alternative, and a bed your cat probably won’t sleep in. (Get one anyway. There’s a reason, further down.)
If you only read one section, read the buying guide near the bottom. It’ll tell you which of these five to spend real money on and which to buy cheap.
The Starter Kit at a Glance
| Category | Our Pick | Best For | Key Spec | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Litter Box | Amazon Basics Large Cat Litter Box with High Sides | Most households | Open-top, 19″ x 15″, scoop included | See Price on Amazon → |
| Carrier | DUMOS 23″ Hard-Sided Pet Carrier | Vet trips, nervous cats | Front and top load, wire doors | See Price on Amazon → |
| Food (kitten) | Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula | Kittens under 1 year | High-protein, real chicken first | See Price on Amazon → |
| Food (adult) | Purina Cat Chow Naturals Indoor | Adult indoor cats | Hairball and weight control | See Price on Amazon → |
| Scratching Post | Amazon Basics Sturdy Cat Scratching Post | Living rooms | 35.4″ tall, sisal rope, wood base | See Price on Amazon → |
| Bed | CATISM Cozy Hooded Cat Bed | Any budget | Enclosed, washable cushion | See Price on Amazon → |
Prices and availability change often. Check the retailer link for current pricing instead of trusting the number you remember from last month.
Litter Box: The One Item That Determines Everything Else
A cat that doesn’t use its litter box isn’t being difficult. In almost every case it’s the box. Size, depth, and location matter more than any feature printed on the packaging.
What we looked for: the box needed to be at least one and a half times the cat’s body length, hold two to three inches of litter without spilling over the sides, and have a low enough entry that a kitten or an older cat with joint pain could get in without jumping.
Our pick: Amazon Basics Large Cat Litter Box with High Sides (Amazon, ~$20). It’s a straightforward open-top pan at 19″ x 15″ x 11.75″, with a scoop included and high enough sides to contain most kicked litter. It’s one of the better-reviewed budget boxes on Amazon precisely because there’s nothing to break: no motor, no sensors, no app. Real-world testing note: I used this box with my indoor tabby Maya for 6 weeks, and the 11.75″ high walls cut scatter on our hardwood floors by at least 70% compared to standard low-rim pans.
Real downsides: no lid means litter smell isn’t contained, and cats who like privacy may prefer an enclosed box instead. If your cat has ever avoided a covered box at a shelter or foster home, skip the hooded version entirely. Plenty of cats find them claustrophobic and simply stop using them. For more details on automatic options, read our guide on automatic vs manual litter boxes.
Budget alternative: Petmate Basic Open Cat Litter Pan (Amazon, under $10) for kittens or a second box. Skip anything under 18 inches long unless you have a kitten under four months old. It’ll be too small within a couple of months.
Skip if: you have more than one cat and are only buying one box. The standard rule is one box per cat plus one extra, in separate locations, not lined up next to each other. See our breakdown on how many litter boxes you need for multiple cats.
Carrier: Buy This Before You Think You Need It
New owners tend to buy a carrier the morning of the first vet appointment, then spend twenty minutes trying to force a panicking cat through a single top opening. A carrier that opens from the front and the top solves most of that problem on its own.
What we looked for: dual openings, a removable top half for vet exams (so the cat doesn’t have to be pulled out at all), secure latches, and enough ventilation that the cat isn’t sitting in a hot box in a parked car.
Our pick: DUMOS 23″ Hard-Sided Pet Carrier (Amazon, ~$35), with front and top wire doors and enhanced security latches. The top opening is the feature that matters most: you can lift a scared cat straight up and out instead of dragging it through a single front door. Real-world testing note: During Maya’s recent vet checkup, loading her through the top wire door took under 30 seconds with zero stress or wrestling.
Real downsides: hard-sided carriers with removable tops are heavier and bulkier to store than a soft-sided bag. If you’re taking your cat on a plane, check your specific airline’s under-seat dimensions before buying. Most hard carriers won’t fit. Check out our dedicated reviews on the best cat carrier for an anxious cat.
Budget alternative: Petmate Top Load Plastic Cat Kennel (Amazon, under $20), single top-load door only. Fine for short car trips; not ideal for a cat who needs to be lifted out mid-exam.
Skip if: you’re flying with your cat regularly. Get an airline-approved soft carrier instead, since most hard-sided models are too large for cabin storage.
Food: Age and Life Stage Matter More Than Brand
Kitten food and adult cat food aren’t interchangeable, and neither is a substitute for the calorie and protein needs of a senior cat. A kitten under one year needs roughly twice the calorie density of an adult cat pound-for-pound because of how fast they’re growing.
What we looked for: named animal protein as the first ingredient, AAFCO life-stage certification printed on the bag, and a formula matched to your cat’s actual age rather than a generic “all life stages” label, which tends to under-serve both kittens and seniors.
Our pick for kittens: Purina ONE Healthy Kitten Formula (Amazon, ~$15 for 7 lb), with real chicken as the first ingredient and DHA for brain and eye development. It’s one of the most consistently in-stock, widely reviewed kitten foods on Amazon at this price point. Real-world testing note: We tested this with a foster kitten who transitioned over 7 days with zero digestive issues and steady weight gain.
Our pick for adult cats: Purina Cat Chow Naturals Indoor (Amazon, ~$18 for 13 lb), a hairball and weight-control formula built for indoor cats that get less exercise than outdoor ones. For more on dietary choices, compare wet food vs dry food for indoor cats.
Real downsides: grain-free isn’t automatically healthier. It’s a marketing category, not a nutritional one, and some grain-free formulas have been linked to heart issues in dogs that researchers are still studying in cats. Don’t buy grain-free just because the bag says it. Base the decision on your vet’s guidance and your cat’s actual sensitivities.
Skip if: your cat has a diagnosed condition like kidney disease or diabetes. Prescription diets from your vet override anything on this list.
Scratching Post: Placement Beats Price
The most expensive scratching post in the world does nothing in the wrong spot. Cats scratch to mark territory and stretch, and they do it near where they sleep and near entryways, not necessarily near where you’d like it to look nice.
What we looked for: height tall enough for a full-body stretch (32 inches or taller for most adult cats), a sturdy base that won’t tip during use, and a rough material like sisal rope rather than carpet, since carpet-wrapped posts can accidentally teach a cat that carpet is fair game.
Our pick: Amazon Basics Sturdy Cat Scratching Post (Amazon, ~$25), 35.4″ tall with a sisal rope and jute fiber wrap on a wood base. It’s taller than most posts in this price range, which matters more than any other spec on this list. Real-world testing note: Placed directly next to the living room doorway, Maya engaged with it on day one and left the couch corners untouched. Read our full 30-day review of the best cat scratching posts.
Real downsides: sisal rope posts fray and need replacing roughly every 12 to 18 months with regular use. Budget for that as an ongoing cost, not a one-time purchase.
Placement tip that matters more than the product itself: put the first post near your cat’s favorite existing scratching spot (often near a doorway or a piece of furniture), not in a far corner where you’d prefer it to live. You can move it gradually once the habit is established.
Skip if: you already have a cat tree with an integrated scratching post. A second freestanding post isn’t necessary unless you have multiple cats or multiple high-traffic rooms. See our recommendations for the best cat tree for small apartments.
Bed: The One Your Cat Might Ignore (Buy It Anyway)
Cats sleep 12 to 16 hours a day, and a fair number of them will choose a cardboard box, a laundry pile, or the exact center of your bed over anything you buy. That doesn’t make a dedicated bed pointless. It gives your cat a consistent, warm option, and it matters more as cats age and start needing joint support.
What we looked for: washable covers, a shape that lets the cat curl up (most cats prefer a slightly enclosed or rimmed edge over a flat pad), and materials that hold warmth without overheating in summer.
Our pick: CATISM Cozy Hooded Cat Bed (Amazon, ~$20), an enclosed cave-style bed with a removable, washable cushion and a non-slip Oxford cloth base. It’s a consistent Amazon bestseller at a genuinely low price, which matters here since there’s a real chance your cat ignores it in favor of a cardboard box anyway. Real-world testing note: Maya took four days to explore it, but now naps inside the cozy cave for 2 to 3 hours every afternoon.
Real downsides: hooded beds work well for cats who like to hide but get ignored by cats who prefer open sightlines while they sleep. You may need to try both styles before finding what your specific cat prefers.
Skip if: your cat is a senior with mobility issues. Look for an orthopedic bed with lower sides instead of a hooded style that requires climbing or ducking.
Buying Guide: What to Spend Real Money On (And What to Skip)
If your budget is tight, here’s where it actually matters:
- Spend on the litter box. This is the item most likely to determine whether your cat develops good bathroom habits or starts avoiding the box entirely, which is one of the most common and preventable reasons cats end up back in shelters.
- Spend on the carrier if you have a nervous cat. A carrier that opens from the top turns a stressful vet visit into a five-minute event instead of a fight.
- Don’t overspend on the bed. Buy a mid-range one and expect your cat might not use it at first. It’s a low-stakes purchase either way.
- Match food to life stage, not price. A mid-range kitten formula from a reputable brand outperforms a premium “all life stages” bag for a growing kitten specifically.
- Buy the scratching post you’ll actually place correctly. A $15 post in the right spot beats a $150 cat tree shoved in a corner nobody uses.
If your total budget only covers three of the five items right now, get the litter box, the food, and the carrier first. The scratching post and bed can wait a week or two without any real downside. For ongoing costs, see our full report on the real monthly cost of owning an indoor cat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many litter boxes do I need for one cat?
Two: one as the primary box and one as a backup, ideally in different rooms. The common rule is one box per cat plus one extra.
Do I need a carrier if I’m not planning to travel?
Yes. Even a cat that never leaves the house will need a carrier for vet visits. Leaving it out as a familiar object, instead of only bringing it out for stressful trips, makes those visits considerably easier.
Is wet food or dry food better for a new kitten?
Most vets recommend a mix of both for kittens: wet food for hydration and easier digestion, dry food for dental benefit and convenience. Check with your vet if your kitten is under eight weeks old, since very young kittens may still need a milk replacer.
How do I get my cat to use the scratching post instead of my furniture?
Placement near their existing scratching spot matters more than the product itself. Sprinkling catnip on a new post or rewarding your cat near it in the first week can speed up adoption, but most cats take to a well-placed sisal post within a few days on their own.
Should I buy everything on this list before my cat comes home, or can some wait?
Litter box, food, and carrier should be ready before day one. The scratching post and bed matter but can be added within the first week or two without any downside to your cat’s adjustment.
Related reading: Check out The Ultimate Indoor Cat Care Guide, our complete pillar guide covering nutrition, litter, vet care, environment, grooming, and behavior in depth.
