You might be a little intimidated if you’re new to the cat-parenting scene. Adopting a new cat can be exciting and intimidating, even if it’s not your first. It’s simple to forget something you or your cat might require to improve her quality of life, particularly during her initial few days and weeks with you. Follow these ten suggestions to ensure you and your new cat have all you need to be the best pet parents possible.
Top Tips That Any New Cat Owner Should Know
Remove Potential Toxins
This is a crucial step to take in order to protect your cat. Look everywhere for potential hazards, including household cleaners and other chemicals, as cats jump, climb, and can fit into tight spaces. Remember your indoor plants! Cats love to eat plants, but many common species, such begonias, peace lilies, and lucky bamboo, are poisonous if consumed. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a detailed list of plants that are hazardous to cats, but it’s advisable to relocate all plants and flowers so your new cat can’t nibble on them for the safety of both your plants and your cat.
Finish Cat-Proofing Your Home
Many cats enjoy chewing on ropes and twine. If she tries to bite an electrical cord, this presents a risk of electrocution in addition to choking. In addition to pulling cords on drapes and blinds, yarn, sewing thread, needles, decorative tassels, and anything else resembling string should all be secured. Verify that all holes that could allow her to climb into ductwork, attics, crawl spaces, or anywhere else she might become trapped are securely covered as you go through the house. Additionally, if you have a dog door, make sure she can’t utilize it as a means of escape.
Talk to Your Family
Make sure everyone is on board with obtaining a new cat if you live with others, and decide in advance who will be in charge of tasks like feeding her and cleaning the litter box. If you have children, make guidelines and discuss with them appropriate cat-playing techniques.
Prepare Your Other Pets
You must carefully consider how to handle introductions if your new cat won’t be your sole pet. Before bringing the new lady inside, PetMD advises getting your present pets acquainted with her by letting them sniff something she’s interacted with or slept on. Prepare a safe, compact area for her to spend the first several days alone, like a bathroom, to give her time to adjust to her new environment quietly. She will have locations to hide from unwanted attention from other family members thanks to this.
Buy Necessary Supplies
She will just require a litter box, kitty litter, and food and drink bowls. Of course, a good cat parent will also want her to be content and at ease. For this, you’ll need cat beds, a range of cat toys, grooming items including a cat brush, cat shampoo, and nail trimmers. You’ll probably need a cat bed for every room if you want her to keep off the furniture. To satisfy her drive to perch on high ground, think about giving her a cat tree as an alternative to letting her leap on cupboards or tables. She can also use poles or pads to scratch instead of the furniture or carpet to sharpen her nails.
Stock up on Quality Food
It’s ideal to gently transition her to your chosen brand of balanced and nutrient-rich cat food in order to prevent stomach issues. If at all feasible, try to obtain a week’s worth of what the shelter or breeder was feeding her.
When She Gets Home
These actions can help your new cat adjust to her new life and help you be the best pet parent she could ever wish in the days and weeks after she comes home.
Schedule a Wellness Check
As soon as you can, take your cat to the doctor to have her examined and to confirm that all of her vaccinations are current. For a variety of health and security concerns, your veterinarian can also assist you in deciding whether she needs to be neutered. Consult with friends and family who have had positive experiences with local veterinarians if you don’t already have a relationship with one. Keep in mind that, besides you and your family, your veterinarian plays the most significant role in the wellbeing and happiness of your cat.
Get Her Some Bling
No matter how careful you are, accidents still happen. A collar with an ID tag that includes your contact information will assist increase your chances of being returned with your cat should she manage to wander off and get lost. In case of an unplanned escape, it can also be a good idea to learn more about the program that many shelters use to microchip animals before they leave the facility.
