Cat Shopping Checklists: 7 Printable, Veterinarian-Informed Lists for New Owners, Budget Shoppers & Multi-Cat Homes

If you are hunting for cat shopping checklists you can print and use today, you are in the right place. As cat people at Mad Cat Man, we know that the first trip to the pet store can feel like speed dating with 300 litter boxes and 1,000 very similar toys. The trick is having a short, focused plan that fits your budget, your space, and your cat’s personality. Below you will find seven printable, veterinarian-informed checklists, plus comparison tables, pro tips, and links to the kinds of buying and care advice our readers turn to when they want clarity fast.

Start Here: Why Cat Shopping Checklists Save Money, Time, and Stress

Ever walked into a pet aisle and felt that slow-motion “uh-oh” as the cart fills with things your cat might ignore? A checklist fixes that. Shelter surveys and consumer studies consistently show that new pet parents overspend on “nice-to-haves” while missing critical items like identification tags, extra litter boxes, and a safe carrier. Even better, a good list nudges you toward smarter choices based on your home size, your cat’s age, and daily routines, which reduces returns and avoids behavior problems that often start with boredom and poor fit.

At Mad Cat Man, our product guides are built by experienced owners and informed by veterinarians and hands-on testing. That means we look beyond shiny packaging and ask, “Will this survive a 12-pound jumper, a midnight zoomie, and a fussy eater?” Practicality wins. Throughout this article you will see short explanations for why an item matters, how to choose it, and where to save without compromising safety. Think of it like shopping with a calm, cat-obsessed friend who has already made the mistakes so you do not have to.

Cat Shopping Checklists: 7 Printable, Veterinarian-Informed Lists You Can Use Today

Print these, tick them off with a pen, or copy them into your notes app. Each list is short on fluff and long on the items that genuinely make life smoother for you and your cat. Where choices matter, we add a one-line buying tip. For downloadable versions, simply use your browser’s print function to capture the section you want and keep it in your binder or on your fridge.

Checklist 1: First-Week Essentials for New Cat Owners

• [ ] Carrier with rigid sides and front door — choose one that opens from the top for easier vet visits and less wrestling.
• [ ] Two bowls — one shallow for food, one larger for water; stainless steel is durable and easy to sanitize.
• [ ] Complete and balanced cat food — look for an Association of American Feed Control Officials statement on the label for your cat’s life stage.
• [ ] Litter box — at least one box per cat, plus one extra; choose a box as long as your cat from nose to tail base.
• [ ] Litter — start with what your cat used previously if known; unscented clumping is often easiest to maintain.
• [ ] Scoop and mat — a non-slip mat reduces tracked litter; scoop daily to keep odors down.
• [ ] Scratching post — one vertical post as tall as your cat at full stretch and one horizontal scratcher to cover both preferences.
• [ ] Cozy bed or fleece blanket — place in a quiet corner away from food and litter.
• [ ] Identification tag and quick-release collar — microchipping is ideal, but visible identification helps neighbors help you.
• [ ] Starter toys — one wand toy for interactive play and two small kickers or balls for solo time.
• [ ] Enzyme cleaner — essential for accident cleanups and preventing repeat marking.

Tip: Set up a small “home base” room with the litter box, water, and hiding spots. Let your cat expand their territory as confidence grows rather than dropping them into the full house at once.

Checklist 2: Budget Shopper’s Cart — Smart Savings Without Sacrifice

• [ ] Food: Big value in moderately priced, complete foods from brands with published feeding trials. Skip boutique extras and pay for meat, not marketing.
• [ ] Bowls: Stainless steel restaurant-style bowls cost less and last longer than most pet-branded versions.
• [ ] Litter: Store-brand unscented clumping often matches premium performance. Buy in larger bags to lower per-pound cost.
• [ ] Carrier: Choose a no-frills hard carrier; secondhand is fine if you sanitize and replace any worn fasteners.
• [ ] Toys: Rotate three to five inexpensive toys weekly. Your cat loves novelty more than price tags.
• [ ] Scratching: Cardboard scratchers deliver great results for little money; add a stable base or wedge under a sofa leg.
• [ ] Furniture: Choose a sturdy single-level perch over a wobbly multi-tier tower. Stability beats size for safety and use.
• [ ] Health basics: A toothbrush, finger brush, and feline-safe paste cost far less than dental procedures later.
• [ ] Cleaning: A bulk enzyme cleaner and paper towels cover 95 percent of messes; skip the pricey specialty sprays.

Tip: Buy litter and food on a predictable schedule so you never have to pay convenience markups. Many retailers reduce costs with auto-ship discounts and seasonal bundles.

Checklist 3: Multi-Cat Home Setup

• [ ] Litter boxes: One per cat, plus one extra; distribute on different floors or corners to prevent blocking behavior.
• [ ] Feeding stations: Separate bowls at least a few feet apart; consider feeding behind a baby gate for resource-guarders.
• [ ] Water: One large bowl or fountain per two cats to reduce crowding.
• [ ] Resting: Multiple beds and window perches; cats prefer to share territory, not cushions.
• [ ] Scratching: Provide at least one scratching zone per cat with both vertical and horizontal textures.
• [ ] Play: Two wand toys per play session so you can redirect if one cat hogs the prey.
• [ ] Carriers: One per cat; practice calm carrier time with treats to avoid scramble on vet day.
• [ ] Calming aids: Pheromone diffusers can ease new introductions; place near shared routes, not tucked away.
• [ ] Gate or pen: A temporary barrier helps mediated introductions and gives timid cats a safe route.

Tip: Resource duplication reduces conflict. If you see staring contests near the litter box or food, add another station a few steps away and provide escape routes in and out.

Checklist 4: Kitten Extras (Growth, Curiosity, and Gentle Training)

• [ ] Shallow litter box with low sides; upgrade as your kitten grows.
• [ ] Kitten-formulated food; feed to ideal body condition using your veterinarian’s chart and the label’s daily ranges.
• [ ] Gentle brush and nail clippers; handle paws during cuddle time to normalize grooming.
• [ ] Teething-safe toys; avoid strings without supervision.
• [ ] Small climbing post or ramp; save the big tower for later to avoid falls.
• [ ] Secure cords and plants; kittens sample everything within reach.
• [ ] Scale for weekly weigh-ins; steady gain signals good health and appropriate feeding.

Tip: Two five-minute training bursts beat one long session. Reward nose-targeting, “come,” and calm carrier time from day one. Future you will cheer.

Checklist 5: Health and Preventive Care

• [ ] Vet appointment schedule: wellness exam, vaccines (vaccinations) by life stage, and individualized parasite prevention.
• [ ] Worming calendar and flea/tick notes; set recurring reminders with dose, product, and weight.
• [ ] Microchip registration with current contact details and a visible identification tag on a quick-release collar.
• [ ] Dental care kit: brush, feline-safe paste, and dental chews approved for cats; aim for short, frequent sessions.
• [ ] First-aid basics: styptic powder for minor nail bleeds, saline for eye debris, and your veterinarian’s emergency number on the fridge.
• [ ] Carrier-ready go bag: towel, medical records, treats, and spare leash or harness for unfamiliar spaces.

Data note: Veterinary organizations estimate that dental disease affects a majority of adult cats by age three, and obesity remains one of the most common preventable issues. Small daily habits really matter.

Checklist 6: Safety and Home-Proofing

• [ ] Hazard scan: secure dangling cords, looped blind strings, and tiny swallowable objects.
• [ ] Plant audit: remove or elevate toxic plants; many lilies, for example, are dangerous to cats.
• [ ] Air quality: if using a humidifier, choose cool mist and clean it often to prevent mold; place it where a curious cat cannot tip it.
• [ ] Kitchen rules: keep trash cans lidded and food sealed; many human foods are unsafe for cats.
• [ ] Window safety: check screens for gaps; add a secure perch so the view does not become a launching pad.
• [ ] Cleaners: pick enzyme-based for accidents and avoid strong fragrances that can stress sensitive noses.

Tip: Walk your home at cat-eye level. What looks harmless from six feet up can be irresistible and risky when you are ten inches off the floor.

Checklist 7: Behavior and Enrichment

• [ ] Daily play plan: two sessions of 5 to 10 minutes using a wand toy; finish with a snack to complete the hunt sequence.
• [ ] Vertical territory: add a stable perch near a window and at least one high hideaway for confidence.
• [ ] Scratch zones: place near sleeping areas and doorways; cats scratch after naps and when greeting.
• [ ] Puzzle feeder or lick mat: slows eating and adds mental challenge, especially for indoor-only cats.
• [ ] Training bites: tiny, high-value treats you keep handy to reward good moments in real time.
• [ ] Routine: predictable feeding and play times reduce vocalizing and door-dashing.

Mad Cat Man publishes behavior how-tos that translate real-world owner experiences into step-by-step guidance, including redirecting furniture scratching and easing nighttime zoomies with targeted pre-bed play.

Compare Before You Buy: Quick Tables for Food, Litter, and Furniture

Side-by-side comparisons are the secret sauce for confident shopping. Food labels can be confusing, litter aisles can be overwhelming, and cat trees can look sturdy online but wobble in your living room. These tables condense the decisions we see readers agonize over into fast, practical choices. Use them to steer your cart toward safe, durable basics first, then add the fun extras that fit your cat’s quirks and your wallet’s comfort zone.

Food Label Must-Haves (For Adult Cats and Kittens)

Litter Type Comparison

Starter Cost Benchmarks (Typical Single-Cat Home)

Numbers reflect typical retail pricing in many regions based on Mad Cat Man’s ongoing tracking. Your local costs may vary, but the proportions usually hold true: prioritize fit, durability, and maintenance ease over flashy extras.

Set Up, Train, and Thrive: Practical Tips From Mad Cat Man

First, set the stage. Cats love predictability, vertical choices, and safe retreats. Place the litter box where a sudden dog appearance or loud appliance will not interrupt privacy. Tuck the bed and a scratcher near nap zones because many cats stretch and scratch right after waking. If you live with a big, athletic breed such as a Maine Coon, upgrade stability and size on day one; a taller, heavier post and a wide-base perch prevent wobble-induced avoidance.

Next, create tiny, repeatable routines that make your life easier later. Touch paws during treats and praise calm handling. Practice “come” by crouching and offering a small bite and a happy cue word, then repeat around corners and in new rooms. A few minutes of play that ends with a snack mimics the hunt and soothes evening restlessness. When you are strapped for time, a puzzle feeder and two short wand bursts can be enough to shift a zoomie spiral into a cozy loaf.

Finally, pace your shopping. Buy the essentials first, then add items based on your cat’s feedback. Scratches the rug but ignores the post? Try moving the post to the traffic path or switch texture from sisal to cardboard. Snubs the new food? Mix old and new over a week and serve at set times rather than free-feeding. Readers tell us this “essentials now, test and add later” rhythm slashed returns and turned guesswork into steady, calm progress.

Print, Pack, and Track: How to Use These Lists Without Overthinking

Printing is easy: highlight the checklist you want and use your browser’s print menu to create a paper copy or a saveable document. Tape it inside a cabinet door or add it to a binder you keep with vaccination records and your veterinarian’s business card. For digital note-takers, copy the bullet points into your notes app and add a checkbox for each item; favorite the list so it lives at the top when you are standing in an aisle.

Turn checklists into habits by pairing them with calendar reminders. A monthly “scoop-and-sanitize” Saturday, a quarterly “carrier drill,” and a twice-yearly “collar and tag check” keep tiny maintenance tasks from piling up. Many veterinarians recommend daily play and weekly nail checks; those micro-routines cost pennies and prevent bigger issues, from shredded furniture to stressful emergency visits. If you want deeper support, Mad Cat Man’s organized categories surface product reviews, behavior tutorials, and health guides side by side so you can compare options quickly and make decisions with confidence.

Where Mad Cat Man Helps Most: From Product Picks to Vet-Backed Guidance

New or uncertain cat owners often tell us their biggest hurdle is not a lack of information but too much of it, scattered and conflicting. That is why Mad Cat Man bundles product reviews, behavior tips, and health guidance into focused how-to articles and, yes, easy shopping checklists. We test scratchers for wobble and fiber shed, compare litter tracking on light and dark floors, and explain why a top-entry litter box might work for a tidy single cat but fail in a multi-cat hallway. When health questions come up, we point to veterinarian-informed basics like parasite prevention timing, microchipping steps, and sensible dental routines that fit real schedules.

Breed-specific needs get their own spotlight, too. If you are researching a Maine Coon, for example, our breed guides walk through size-appropriate towers, extra-sturdy carriers, and grooming tools that manage thick coats without turning the bathroom into a snow globe. Safety questions? We track plant lists, humidifier suitability, and home-proofing advice so you can avoid hazards without living inside a bubble. The result is simple: clear, experience-based guidance that puts your cat’s comfort first and gives you the calm of knowing you are buying what actually works.

A Few Real-World Examples From Readers

Sarah adopted two shy littermates and wondered why fights erupted near the single hallway litter box. Using the multi-cat checklist, she split resources between two ends of the apartment, added one extra box, and tucked a scratching post near their favorite nap spot. Within a week, the standoffs faded, the box stayed cleaner, and the cats started sharing the window perch again.

Jason tried three fancy foods for his fussy rescue and worried he was doing something wrong. Our food table reminded him to check the life-stage statement and portion by body condition rather than the highest range on the bag. After two weeks of measured, twice-daily meals and five-minute post-dinner play, weight stabilized and picky eating eased. Small, consistent changes beat frantic switches almost every time.

Your Printable Cat Shopping Checklists, Ready When You Are

Grab the sections above, print the ones you need, and keep them where you actually shop or plan: taped inside a cupboard, saved in your phone, or tucked in your carrier go bag. If you want deeper dives, Mad Cat Man’s categories make it easy to jump from checklist to detailed product reviews, behavior training walkthroughs, breed comparisons, and veterinarian-backed preventive care guides. Whether you are equipping your first studio apartment for a kitten or optimizing a lively multi-cat home, these simple lists keep you focused, budget-savvy, and ready for the good stuff: more peaceful naps and silly play.

Important Note

This article shares general, educational guidance and practical shopping advice informed by veterinarians and experienced cat owners. It is not a substitute for personalized veterinary care. Always consult your own veterinarian for medical recommendations tailored to your cat.

Conclusion

Seven short lists, countless calmer days — that is the promise behind these printable, veterinarian-informed cat shopping checklists.

Imagine the next 12 months with fewer impulse buys, simpler routines, and choices guided by clear, real-world advice that respects your budget and your cat’s quirks.

Which checklist will you print first, and what small change will make the biggest difference in your home this week using these cat shopping checklists?