19 things that will help your new cat feel at home, according to cat rescuers and a veterinarian

"We definitely recommend cat trees," said Farel-Friedman. "They not only provide cats with the ability of choice, but they also provide them with exercise and stress relief." Dr. Moore agreed: "You want to have vertical space, especially people who have a small living area." The ideal tree has built-in scratching posts and plenty of spots to snuggle up. That's why we like the classic cat tree from Armarkat, which is the budget pick in our guide to the best cat trees.

All of our experts agreed that there is no such thing as too many scratchers. Carr likes the Bergan Turboscratcher which has a ball in the frame. "Cats get their scratch on while playing with the balls inside," she said. "They can play and entertain themselves so even if you're not home they have stimulation."

Flea control is important regardless of whether a cat is indoor-only or goes outside. Most flea treatments are topical, but Seresto also makes a flea collar that many cat owners like. Not all cats will be comfortable wearing a flea collar, but for those that tolerate it, Moore said it's a good option.

"I think food puzzle toys are great," said Carr. "They're really good for cats who are overweight and for cats who are overstimulated. It's more natural, too, because [it mimics the way] cats have to work for their food in the wild." Moore suggested feeding kibble out of interactive food puzzle toys as well as — or instead of — treats.

"The best toys are the ones where you can interact with your cat. Playing with them helps you to bond better," said Farel-Friedman. Cat wands are a classic kitty favorite, and Carr recommended both Da Bird and Cat Catcher by GoCat. See our guide to the best cat toys for more options.

"Cats scratch as a scent marker, to help with their nails, and to relieve stress," said Moore. Plus, your cat will be less likely to scratch your furniture if they have other options. This cat scratcher from Max & Marlow includes a 26-inch scratching post plus two attached toys. For more ideas, check out our guide to the best scratching posts.

Cats are fastidious, and in the process of grooming, they consume a lot of hair. For long-haired cats, especially, "brushing is really helpful to remove the loose hair that is ready to shed that may get matted if not removed," said Moore. A good cat brush like the Furminator can help remove the excess hair and may reduce the frequency of hairballs.

For indoor cats, the outdoors is a fantasy world of sights, sounds, and smells that many find delightful. According to Dr. Moore, leash training "is a safe way to have [a] cat outside and a good activity for the cat and owner to do together." But because being on a leash is not a natural behavior for cats, guardians need to take the time to acclimate their cat to the leash.

Even if your cat is microchipped, ID tags engraved with their name and phone number can help them make it home safe and sound. If your cat is indoor-only, Dr. Moore said they don't need to wear a collar or ID tags. Instead, microchip your cat so that they can be easily identified if they escape.

If your cat goes outdoors, they need a breakaway collar that will come undone if they get caught on a tree branch or fence, said Moore. We like this durable reflective collar by Rogz, which is the top pick in our guide to the best cat collars.

Keeping your cat's mouth clean is essential to its overall health. "Ideally, you should try to teach your cat to have its teeth brushed," said Dr. Moore. But if that proves too challenging, dental treats are the next best thing. She also recommended using Oxyfresh Healthy Mouth water additive for stress-free dental care. For more options, check out our guide to the best dental products for cats.

"We use Churu for clicker training and it works wonders," said Carr. Clicker training, a form of positive-reinforcement training that marks correct behaviors with a distinct clicking sound, is an excellent way to teach tricks and address behavior challenges in cats. Churu is great for stressful situations, too. "We have cats who are super stressed and we give them Churu, and it works so well to distract them from what's going on," said Carr. For more ideas, see our guide to the best cat treats.

While many cats prefer dry foods, they are high in carbohydrates and calories, said Moore. Feeding a diet that includes wet food can help to maintain weight and overall health. "Wet food is great for cats because it provides more moisture. It's especially important for males because you want them producing urine so they don't have urinary issues," she explained.

Franušić and Farel-Friedman recommended Hill's Science Diet, which is scientifically formulated and comes in several varieties for cats with different needs. There are plenty of other high-quality options, including NomNomNow, a human-grade monthly cat food delivery service.

For cats with sensitive whiskers, brushing up against the side of a food or water bowl can cause pain and make eating stressful. To prevent "whisker fatigue," Dr. Moore suggested using a flatter dish without steep sides.

Moore recommended avoiding dusty litters, which can cause respiratory issues, and perfumy litters with a strong scent. All three of our shelter experts prefer litters made of natural materials like corn or millet. Carr's favorite litters are made from pine wood. "I think they're really efficient at neutralizing odors and are really easy to scoop," she said. For more ideas, check out our guide to the best natural cat litter.

When it comes to a litter box, all of our experts agree that simple is best. You want a box your cat can use "without having to do any tricks," said Dr. Moore. And even though they are convenient, she recommended avoiding self-cleaning boxes because the noises they make can frighten cats. At HSSV, they recommend just using a simple uncovered litter box, said Farel-Friedman. If you prefer your box to be covered to reduce smells or prevent your dog from getting inside, buy one with a removable lid that can be added later on.

"When you actually get a cat into your home, you find that they love to explore and get on top of things," explained Franušić. Adhering your knickknacks to shelves and tables using earthquake putty assures that your favorite picture frame or vase won't end up in pieces on the floor. "It was a lifesaver for me," she said.

To help decrease stress and unwanted behaviors like urine spraying that go with it, both Moore and Carr recommend using a calming pheromone like Feliway during your cat's first weeks in their furever home. Feliway, which mimics the F3 facial pheromones cats deposit when rubbing their cheeks against surfaces in order to mark them as safe, can help a cat transition to a new house, according to Moore.

A cat carrier is mandatory for bringing your cat home from the shelter, said Franušić. We love Mr. Peanut's stylish and comfortable tote, which can unzip to expand to almost three times the size of a regular carrier, making it more comfortable for long travel days.