Cat Tips

20 Tips on Adopting a Cat – Every Cat Owner Must Know About!

Have you got cat fever after watching these fuzzy cute creatures on Instagram? Then you have come to the right place. Adopting a cat is a big decision to make and it’s always a good idea to be prepared. Before calling them Mr. or Mrs. Whiskerson, there are a few more things to keep in mind to understand what you can do to make this process seamless for your pet and yourself.

1. Lifestyle change

Before getting a cat, the owner should consider how getting a cat shall affect their life and their routine. It’s better to consider how your lifestyle will affect the pet and vice versa. Cats also need a routine and they will require you to make changes in your daily life and it’s necessary to think about that.

2. Consider the costs

It is important to consider adoption costs before getting a cat. You may have to invest in toys, litter boxes, scratchers, cat trees, and food bowls. Other recurring costs are vet visits and food expenses

3. Consider your space

One must consider their home environment and create a safe space for their pet. Your pet cannot be always on a leash and their safety needs to be considered. All objects which may hurt your cat need to be eliminated.

4. Furniture for your cat

Your cat needs its own space in the home and the best way is to create a vertical space for them. A cat tree or cat shelves are great ways to build a corner for your cat in the home.

5. Territory

We all need our personal space and privacy, just like cats may be in hiding for a few weeks until they get comfortable in the environment. So, give them an area in the home which they can call their own and let them have it.

6. Adopt an older cat

If you have a small apartment or are looking to skip the training part of the care then you can always adopt an older pet as they are more mellow and will not require a lot of space to run around the house.

7. Know your expenses

Lay down a rough estimate of how much you’ll be spending on a pet including vet visits and daily food and toys or furniture for your pet. Once this is in place, go and get yourself the fur ball.

8. Access your needs

Before getting a pet, you need to jot down what you are looking for in a pet. Do you have kids? Do you have time for your pet? Do you travel a lot? These are some questions to start with before deciding which breed will suit you and your family.

9. Arrange a feeding station

Make preparations for a feeding station with a bowl of water and food. Keep both of these things away from the litter box

10. Litterbox

Arrange for a litter box and fill it with litter. Place this in the room where the cat resides and give them their space to do their business.

11. Choose a vet

Once you adopt your cat, choose a vet and take the cat for a regular checkup. Do the research and ask pet parents to help you find a good vet that is close by in case of an emergency.

12. Cat grooming and dental care

Once your pet has settled into their routine, brush their teeth regularly and make sure their coat is brushed occasionally depending on the cat’s needs. These habits can help maintain the health of the cat. Ease them into these routines slowly.

13. Training and playing

You can start slowly bonding with your cat once you start to train them. Start with basic lessons like responding to your calling their name. Reward them with treats and encourage them to play with you.

14. Cat food

After adopting a cat, you need to slowly transition them into cat food by creating a schedule. This may take up to a week of getting used to. Give them high-quality food with meat. You can give them a mixture of dry and wet food.

15. Create a bond

Once you adopt a cat, slowly build a bond with them by holding them and letting them get used to the touch, and letting them have a look at your face. Let them come to you and let them show affection, do not force the cat to get used to you.

16. Keep them away from other pets

After adopting your kitten, give them some time and space before introducing them to another pet. Let them have a few days by themselves and then slowly introduce them by letting them sniff each other from across the room. Once they get familiar with each other they may stop growling and hopefully accept each other’s presence.

17. Pet insurance

Even if the adopted cat or kitten is healthy, you never know what health conditions may arise. It is a great idea to get yourself pet insurance. This can help you save a bunch of money if any possibility of sickness takes place.

18. Introduction to your family

Once you see your cat is comfortable around you and confident about your presence, slowly introduce them to other family members one by one. It can be a new experience for your cat to meet people so do not rush the process. If you have children, make sure they are calm and not holding the cat roughly. Let the cat come to them and start with a few strokes before lifting them. Cats are generally great with kids, so give them the time to get used to that idea.

19. Prepare them for the outside world

Do not take the cat outside of the house for 3-4 weeks. Make sure the cat is settled and comfortable before you take them outdoors. You should also make sure they are up to date with all their vaccinations, and that they are neutered before you take them out of the house. Once they are ready to go outdoors you can take them out while you keep a close eye on them. It is a great idea to take them before a meal so that they are likely to come right back.

20. Scratching place

The cat’s claws need to be worn down. They do this by scratching surfaces or furniture. If you want to prevent that from happening, get them a spot where they can scratch or you can get a scratch board for every room to help prevent damage to your furniture or other household items.

One of the best things to do after adopting a cat is to have patience. Give them a chance to get used to the surroundings and you will watch them grow into beautiful companions. Trust them with what they do and let them become a part of your life gradually. Good luck with your new ball of fuzz.

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