So, you’re thinking about adopting your very first cat. They make great pets — they’re fantastic companions, don’t need to be walked and tend to adapt to a new home quite quickly. However, they are a big responsibility, and you need to be prepared before you pick yours up from the shelter. Here are our best cat care tips that will help you to prepare for your new arrival.
Get everything you’ll need
It’s important that you’re well-prepared for your cat’s arrival, and there are some things you’ll have to buy for them. Here’s our checklist of essentials:
A warm and comfortable bed
A litter tray and litter
A scratching post
Stainless steel, glass or ceramic food and water bowls
A range of cat toys
A collar
A carrier
Food that suits their needs
Helping them to settle in
Although we’re sure your new cat or kitten will love their new home, the change is likely to unsettle them to begin with. They’ll need time to adjust and, according to Cats Protection, this could take anything from a couple of hours to a few weeks, so patience is key. You’ll also benefit from taking these steps to ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible and isn’t too uncomfortable for your new pet.
Before you pick your chosen cat up, visit the adoption centre and leave an item of clothing or piece of bedding from your home. This will allow your cat to familiarise itself with your scent before the big move.
If possible, set aside some space — or even a room — where you can keep everything your cat will need, such as its litter tray, food and bed.
When you pick them up, take their litter home with you, as this will help to keep them comfortable and should make it easier to house train them.
Give them plenty of time to adjust. They might not be as sociable or playful as you would like to begin with. But, as long as they’re eating and using their litter tray, there’s no need to worry.
Consider whether they’re going to be a house cat
Before you commit to adopting a cat or kitten, you need to decide whether they’re going to be a house cat, or whether you’re willing to let them out.
It can be tempting to keep your cat indoors if you live on a busy road or are worried they might get lost. This is understandable, but means you need to put more thought into ensuring your cat’s living space is as interesting as possible. A predictable or boring indoor space can cause stress, inactivity and obesity, according to the RSPCA.
Fortunately, there are a range of things you can do to ensure your cat is happy indoors. You should ensure that their litter tray is cleaned regularly and placed in a quiet spot, otherwise they may be reluctant to use it. You should also provide them with scratching posts in a number of locations so they’re able to strengthen their muscles and sharpen their claws.
Cats can become frustrated if they don’t get to exercise both their bodies and minds. So, devote some time to playing with them each day, as this will keep them fit and healthy. Millbry Hill has an extensive range of cat toys and accessories that will help to keep your pet entertained, and they offer free delivery on orders over £49.
Letting them outside
If you live in a relatively safe area (away from heavy traffic and the like), you might want to let your cat explore the great outdoors. This can be daunting for both you and your pet to begin with but, as long as you take things slowly, you shouldn’t run into any big problems. Although, they need to be kept indoors until at least a week after they’ve finished their first course of vaccines, and should be spayed or neutered before spending any time outside unsupervised. You should also ensure that they’ve been microchipped and are wearing a collar with a tag that has your phone number on it before letting them out.
Once you’re adequately prepared, you can start allowing your cat some time outdoors. It’s a good idea to stay with them the first few times. But, once you’re confident that they’re comfortable and know where they should be returning home to, you’ll be able to leave them to their own devices.
Insure your cat
When you first get your cat, the last thing you’ll want to think about is expensive vet bills and the possibility of them going missing. But, if you want to be a responsible owner, you need to give these things some consideration.
Put your mind at ease by taking out a comprehensive insurance policy. Pet Plan for example offers cat insurance that will cover vet bills for up to £12,000 per year, as well as the cost of complementary treatments such as acupuncture for up to £2,000 per year. They will help to pay for advertising and offer a reward if your cat does go missing, and even contribute to the cost of boarding your cat at a licensed cattery if you have to spend any time in hospital unexpectedly. These are things you might not even think about when you first get your cat, but it pays to be prepared!
So, there you have it: all our best tips for first-time cat owners. We wish you the best of luck and hope you and your feline friend have a wonderful time living together!
So, you’re thinking about adopting your very first cat. They make great pets — they’re fantastic companions, don’t need to be walked and tend to adapt to a new home quite quickly. However, they are a big responsibility, and you need to be prepared before you pick yours up from the shelter. Here are our best cat care tips that will help you to prepare for your new arrival.
Filed under: Tips & Tricks Tagged: #katzenworld, ねこ, cat, cats, cute, 猫, funny, ﾈｺ, katze, katzen, kawaii
