Adopting a cat of any age is one of life’s greatest experiences. We’re here to help you properly plan and prepare to bring a new feline friend into your home. June is Adopt-a-Cat Month, and we are happy to join this national effort to help adoptable felines find their fur-ever homes.
What to Know Before You Go
Every first-time cat owner should be prepared to provide for their cat’s needs for as long as they live. Not every living situation or environment is suitable for cats so before you sign adoption paperwork, consider the following:
- If you rent or share an apartment, it is critical to get approval from the landlord or management prior to bringing home a cat.
- Be sure to pay the pet deposit in advance, if applicable, and get roomies on board to help you keep your cat safe from harm.
- Decide if you have a dedicated area for a litter box and other essential cat supplies.
- Because many cats live well into their teens, it’s crucial to provide high-quality food, treats, toys, and veterinary care throughout their life. The costs of cat ownership can add up quickly, and it’s always better to be prepared than surprised.
Preparing for a New Cat
Be sure to have a checklist going and cross things off the list of everything you need before you bring your new cat home. Your checklist should include things like:
- Finding the right veterinarian and asking questions about wellness plans, vaccinations, microchips, nutrition, spay/neuter, and parasite prevention.
- Investing in the right supplies, including bedding, grooming tools, scratching posts, vertical climbers, toys, treats, nail clippers, and environmental enrichment items.
- Researching which cat litter might be right for your home and your new cat. The rule of thumb is one litter box per cat, plus one more. Consider which parts of the home you are willing to give to your cat’s eating routines, litter box habits, and hang out zones.
Introducing a Cat to a New Home
Depending on your home environment, introducing a new cat may range between easy/uneventful to frightening/stressful.
- If you have other pets, be sure to keep them separated from your new cat for at least a week or more if needed.
- Over that time, you can help them make positive connections with your new cat’s scent and sounds through a gate or doorway.
- After a while you can allow more freedom, but supervise all interactions with your pets.
- Reward and praise them for their interest and effort; try not to punish or scold them for disinterest, territorial behavior, or aggression.
Understanding Cat Behavior
An important boon to overall cat care is an owner’s interest in and ability for interpreting cat body language and behavior. While every feline is unique, there are some telling signs that will help you recognize if they are happy, satisfied, or comfortable. Similarly, there are some subtle giveaways that indicate injury, illness, pain, fear, or discontent.
Watch your cat closely in the first few months. As you get to know them better every day you can develop a baseline for normal cat behavioral patterns.
We are looking forward to meeting your new cat! Please give us a call at (530) 533‑7513 to schedule their first wellness exam, or with any questions about cat health and behavior.