Bringing home your new cat or kitten
Bringing a new cat or kitten into your family can be a very exciting time. You can check out different breeds to find out which traits suit your lifestyle. One thing to consider is that most cats have a life expectancy of 15-20 years. If you get a cat for your child, make sure that you will be able to take care of it when you leave for college or if you move and can’t take the cat with you. Animal shelters are a good place to find a new family member, and sometimes you can even find a purebred pet. By adopting from an animal shelter, you are also saving a life, as their time there is often limited.
When you’re ready to adopt a new cat or kitten, the important things to have are food and water bowls, a litter box, a bed, grooming tools, and plenty of toys for them to play with. Scratching posts and cat trees are a great way to train your new family member where they can use their natural instincts like climbing, scratching, and jumping. It will also save your furniture.
Another thing to consider when looking for a new pet is making sure you have the means to care for it. This would include food, litter, a professional pet groomer if he can’t handle brushing and bathing and the most expensive could be vet visits. Vet visits may be just a yearly exam, or if it’s an older cat or has medical problems, vet visits will be more frequent and expensive. One thing that can help with this is pet insurance if you decide to purchase it.
As a responsible cat owner, it is very important to have your cat microchipped and spayed or neutered. By doing this, you help reduce the number of pets that end up in shelters. Most shelters and rescue groups include this in the price of the adoption, so it will be taken care of before you bring your new furry friend home. If you adopt a kitten, it’s easy to train him to be indoors only, but older cats can be trained as well, sometimes it’s a little more difficult. Cats can be sneaky, so having a collar with a detachable buckle and identification is always a good idea.
Cats need exercise, so have toys to keep them moving and fit. By having laser pointers and feather teasers, you will be able to interact with your cat, which will strengthen the bond between you.
Cat protection in your home is extremely important to avoid unpleasant accidents or worse outcomes. Electrical cords should be kept out of reach. All medicines, chemicals and cleaning products must be kept in a cabinet that they cannot open. Sometimes a childproof lock is necessary to ensure your safety. Appliances like dishwashers, washers, and clothes dryers should be checked beforehand to make sure your cat hasn’t climbed on to investigate or curl up for a nap.