What to Buy for a Cat in Canada: 15 Essentials -

If you’ve just arrived or are planning to move soon, you might be wondering what to buy for a cat in Canada.

In this post, I’ll share the list of essentials we used when our cat Corita settled in after our move, so you don’t miss anything important.

Once your cat is with you in Canada, there are a few must-haves to ensure they feel safe, comfortable, and cared for in their new home.

This list is based on our personal experience, and while some things may vary depending on your pet’s personality or routine, it’s a great starting point. I also recommend setting aside a small budget for these items, especially if you’re new to the country and building your pet setup from scratch.

1. Register your cat with your building management

When figuring out what to buy for a cat in Canada, it’s also important to think about what steps to take, especially if you’re moving into an apartment or condo.

In our case, we used to live in a 42-floor building, and registering our cat with building management was required. This is especially important for emergency situations. If something like a fire happens, they need to know how many people and pets are inside to evacuate everyone safely.

Even though this isn’t something to buy, it’s a key part of getting your cat properly settled in your new Canadian home.

2. Register your cat with the local municipality

When thinking about what to buy for a cat in Canada, it’s also important to look into what’s required in your new city, like pet registration.

Be sure to check the official website of the city you’ll be living in. For example, here in Mississauga, every pet must be registered with the municipality.

You’ll need to pay for a license (usually for 1 or 2 years), and then renew it. In my case, the cat license only costs 20 CAD per year. After registering, they send a unique tag with your pet’s license number.

If your cat ever escapes and someone finds them, this ID tag can help them get back to you.

Once the license is paid for, the City of Mississauga sends this to our home address — Tag received after Municipality registration.

3. Consider pet insurance for peace of mind

When thinking about what to buy for a cat in Canada, pet insurance may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it’s definitely worth considering.

While not mandatory, it’s one of those things (like any insurance) that you hope you never need but are glad to have if something happens. The cost depends on your cat’s age and other factors.

We chose Fetch for Corita and currently pay around 240 CAD every three months, which gives us up to 5,000 CAD in coverage.

After several years of using it, we’ve had to rely on it a few times, and it’s worked really well. Veterinary bills in Canada can be expensive, and having coverage for 80–90% of the cost has been a huge relief for us.

We also compared options before buying and looked into Petsecure, OVMA, PetsPlusUs, and Petplan (now Fetch). Most of these companies have online calculators, so you can easily simulate your premium and see which one works best for you and your cat.

4. Buying a bed your cat will (maybe) love

When planning what to buy for a cat in Canada, a cozy bed is often one of the first things that comes to mind. But if your cat is anything like Corita, you might discover that they treat every surface as a bed!

We started with one basic bed and later bought another, hoping to give her the best. Of course, she made her own choices.

This was the c heap bed—super simple, a bit messy… and her absolute favorite. She’s obsessed with it.

Corita sleeping on her favorite bed — Corita enjoying her favourite bed.

This was the premium be d—sleek, stylish, and barely used. She liked it for one season, then moved on (typical cat behavior).

Corita's second bed — Corita’s second bed.

Corita is constantly changing her mind, but we keep the beds around because she always circles back eventually.

Click here to explore more cat beds!

5. Buy a litter box that fits your space

When thinking about what to buy for a cat in Canada, a litter box is one of the most essential items—especially for the very first day.

As I mentioned in my post on How to Travel with Your Cat to Canada, this was actually the first thing we bought once we arrived.

We chose a compact litter box that fits nicely in a corner, which is perfect for small spaces. It’s easy to move around, doesn’t take up too much room, and even comes with a little scoop.
We’ve been using it for over 4 years now, and it’s still in great condition!

6. Buy a water fountain your cat actually likes

When thinking about what to buy for a cat in Canada, don’t forget a good water fountain, especially if your cat prefers running water like ours does.

When Aldo flew to Canada with Corita, he brought the water fountain we had back in Chile because she loved it, and it worked perfectly for a while.

That model kept the water running all day, so Corita always had access to fresh water. But a few months later (after about three years of use), the fountain stopped working.

We looked for the same one on Amazon, but the price felt too high, so we decided to try a flowe r-style fountain instead.

A water fountain that Corita did not like — Flower-style fountain

Long story short: she hated it.
It was probably too tall, and the water splashed her. She wouldn’t drink from it at all. The “customer experience” (Corita’s experience) was not a success!

But interestingly, the same fountain has been a hit with other pets we’ve cared for while petsitting. They’ve loved it, proving that every pet has their own preferences!

Eventually, we ordered the original model again, and Corita went right back to happily drinking her fresh water.

The water fountain that Corita likes — The absolute best water fountain for our cat.

7. Buying a feeder or bowls for your cat

When figuring out what to buy for a cat in Canada, don’t forget to include a good feeder or set of bowls, especially if your cat eats both wet and dry food.

Back in Chile, we had an automatic feeder, but once we arrived in Canada, we decided to buy two raised bowls instead: one for wet food and one for dry.

I read that elevated bowls can help prevent cats from vomiting, and I honestly think it works—we’ve had very few incidents since making the switch.

8. Buy a nail clipper and save on vet visits

If you’re making a list of what to buy for a cat in Canada, a nail clipper is a small but smart addition, especially when vet visits can get pricey.

We decided to buy one so we could trim Corita’s nails at home. With lots of effort, teamwork, and the help of some Churu treats, we manage to clip her nails every few months, no vet required.

And yes… the couch definitely appreciates it.

9. Buy a scratching post

When planning what to buy for a cat in Canada, a scratching post usually makes the list. So of course, I bought one… and Corita used it exactly once.

Scratching bed — Cardboard scratching bed

While writing this blog, I’m realizing I’ve had more trial-and-error moments than wins when it comes to buying things for her.

You can find similar cardboard cat scratchers here.

In our case, we actually found a second one left on the street! It’s common in Canada for people to leave gently used items outside when they no longer need them, and that’s how we scored a backup post for free.

Corita and her scratching post — The best scratching post for our cat.

10. Finding the right food for your cat

Food is one of the most important things to figure out when deciding what to buy for a cat in Canada, especially if your pet already has favourite brands.

Corita used to eat Taste of the Wil d dry food and Hill’s wet food when we lived in Chile. When we arrived in Canada, the only issue we faced was a shortage of Hill’s wet food, so we had to switch to a different brand.

If you’re planning to bring your pet with you, I recommend checking online ahead of time to see if the food you currently use is available in Canada. That way, you’ll avoid last-minute stress trying to figure out what to switch to.

11. Choosing the right cat litter

If you’re wondering what to buy for a cat in Canada, don’t overlook litter; it makes a big difference in your daily routine.

We were lucky to find the same litter here that we used in Chile: Odour Buster – MultiCat, and honestly, it works great.

We’ve taken care of cats in at least 20 different homes while petsitting, and we haven’t found any litter that works better than this one. It clumps well, controls odor, and keeps things tidy, so we highly recommend it.

Want to know more about how we care for pets while traveling? Check out How to Start Pet Sitting While Traveling for Free.

12. Get a mat to go under the litter box

One small but very useful item on the list of what to buy for a cat in Canada is a mat to place under the litter box.

Not long after settling in, we noticed Corita would track litter outside the box every time she used it. So we got a simple mat designed to catch the debris.

It’s been easy to clean and keeps the area much tidier. Highly recommend adding it to your setup!

Mat to retain the litter that Corita spreads when she goes out

13. Find a veterinarian and schedule regular check-ups

While what to buy for a cat in Canada often focuses on products, finding a trusted veterinarian is just as important, especially if you’re getting pet insurance.

When we signed up for coverage, we were asked to book an initial exam. We looked for a vet nearby, and since then, we’ve always gone to the same clinic.

Make sure your cat stays up to date on vaccinations, and keep in mind that routine check-ups aren’t usually covered by insurance (at least not ours), so it’s a good idea to budget separately for those visits.

14. Catnip for a little fun

If you’re putting together your list of what to buy for a cat in Canada, catnip isn’t essential, but it’s definitely fun to have.

It’s great if you want to help your cat feel playful (and maybe a little wild) for a few minutes.

We bought a small jar, and honestly, it feels like it’ll last forever, we only use a tiny bit each time!

Catnip container - 63.8 g — Catnit for Corita’s entertainment

15. Inhaler and spacer for special health needs

While this won’t apply to everyone, it might be helpful if your cat has respiratory issues. And if you’re wondering what to buy for a cat in Canada with special needs, this might be it.

Corita uses an inhaler every morning, and we found a special aerosol chamber made for cats that truly changed our lives. No kidding, back in Chile, we were using one made for babies, but it was too big for her little face and irritated her eyes.

This new one fits perfectly, and it’s designed specifically for cats (they also make versions for dogs). It was a bit pricey, but absolutely worth it for her comfort.

Conclusion

I hope this list gave you a clear idea of what to buy for a cat in Canada, whether you’ve just moved or you’re preparing for your cat’s arrival soon. From the basics like litter and food to optional (but helpful) items like catnip and health accessories, these are all things that made Corita’s transition smoother and our day-to-day life easier.

Remember, every cat is different. What worked for Corita might not work for your kitty, and that’s okay! Take your time figuring out what they need, and don’t stress if some products take a little trial and error.

If you’re preparing for a move or caring for pets along the way, you might also find these posts helpful:

Thanks for reading, and happy settling in to your new Canadian life (furry friend included)!