When we adopt our first kitten, it’s normal to feel a little lost about how to care for it. The main point is preparing the house: where the bed will be, the food bowls, etc. You may be wondering “how do I prepare my house for my first cat ?” But don’t worry! We’ve put together 10 tips for you.
1. Feeders and drinkers
Cats eat several times a day. Therefore, as the first rule of cat care , always make sure that your cat has fresh water to drink. The food and water bowls should be kept away from the litter tray and slightly separated from each other.
Another tip is to always choose washable containers. Also, look for a bowl that is large enough for your cat to eat and drink from without touching its whiskers to the edges, as this can irritate the cat. Also, avoid plastic bowls. Stainless steel bowls are the most recommended, and they won’t break if dropped from high places.
As for the water bowl, you can opt for a conventional bowl following the instructions above. However, to encourage your cat to drink more often, it is recommended that you have a fountain water bowl. Cats love running water.
2. Recommended diet
Before your first cat comes home, it is important that the food chosen to be offered is already prepared. Try to initially offer the food that was already served to your cat before it arrived at your home. Finally, analyze whether this food can be kept or if it should be included in the transition process.
When changing your cat’s food or changing its eating habits, it is wrong to change its diet all at once. There is a high chance that your cat will refuse the food. Check out the correct way to do this process:
- Mix 80% of the previous food and 20% of the new food;
- As the days go by, reduce the amount of the previous food, adding more and more of the new food,
- Continue the process until you have completely replaced the old food with the new one.
Before choosing food for your cat, it is important that its composition is rich in fresh ingredients. In addition, cats are carnivores. Therefore, avoid cereal-based foods. Finally, don’t forget to choose foods according to your pet’s age, breed and size, especially if it is a kitten .
3. Walk
When it comes to napping time, many cats will have their own preferences for places around the house, depending on their personality. You may be thinking, “This is my first cat. How will I know what he prefers?” Typically, felines prefer covered, high places where they feel safe and can observe everything around them.
There are a variety of beds available, but don’t be sad if your kitty trades in an expensive bed for a cardboard box. Provide resting places around the house, as adult cats can sleep for up to 20 hours.
4. Scratching posts
Scratching posts are essential items in a home where a cat lives. If you don’t provide scratching posts around the house, the cat will tend to look for ways to sharpen its claws on your sofa, bookshelf, curtains, etc.
Always place the scratching post in one of the main areas of the house, so that it is clearly visible. Otherwise, the cat will opt for the furniture. The accessory must be high enough and, above all, stable enough for the cat to stretch out. A good option to prevent the cat from becoming overweight is a scratching post tower with different heights.
If your cat doesn’t want to use the scratching post, you can choose to place some catnip or food on it to attract it to the scratching post. Remember that cutting your cat’s nails or removing their knuckles is not an option. In addition to being illegal, this is harmful to your cat’s health.
5. Litter box
There are several types of litter trays out there. But which one to choose will depend more on the cat than on the owner. Felines tend to prefer uncovered trays. But you can try opting for a closed tray, which, in addition to being comfortable, prevents odors and litter from escaping.
Always remember that the trays need to be low to make it easier for the cat to get in and out. In addition, they should be located far from the feeders.
6. Transporting the feline
A carrier is absolutely necessary when raising a cat, not only for traveling, but also for taking the cat to the vet, during moves, etc. Even though this factor is a nightmare for many owners, know that there is a way to make your cat enjoy being transported.
To get your cat used to the box, use it as one of the beds in your home. Leave tasty treats and toys inside it, as well as soft blankets and pillows. Your cat needs to feel cozy inside the box.
And to make this transport safer, it is best if the box is collapsible, that is, more practical for quick transport and cleaning. Remember that its material should be rigid and plastic, thus being safer in case of accidents.
7. Window protection
Cats naturally like to investigate their surroundings. Because they are very suspicious creatures, they become curious when they discover new things. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the windows of our home, especially in apartments.
Even though cats are famous for their agility and balance, they usually land on their feet, many factors influence the force of the impact when they fall, including from low places. It is important to install nets on the windows and balconies of your home. Mosquito nets do not work because they are not strong enough.
8. Stimulation
Games and play stimulate your furry friend’s physical and mental health. And all of this will have an impact on your pet’s emotional well-being. Look for tutorials and play ideas and offer toys of different types.
9. Vaccination and castration
Cat health is the most important topic of all when it comes to care. Keep your feline’s vaccinations up to date. If you found your pet at a cat adoption fair , it has probably already had some vaccinations and has been neutered.
Contrary to what many owners think, neutering should not only be done on adult cats, but also on kittens from 6 months of age. In addition to preventing the animal from suffering from various health problems, the procedure also helps control the cat population.
10. Adopt a cat!
Now that you’ve prepared your home, it’s time to get your cat! To do this, we recommend that you opt for cat adoption . In addition to giving a home to a stray cat, by adopting, you help reduce the illegal animal trade.
If you want to find cats for adoption , go to one of the Petz locations and check out the animals rescued daily by partner NGOs. After monitoring, the animals become available for adoption.
With this tutorial on caring for “my first cat”, you will be able to provide a comfortable and safe home and offer lots of love to your kitty! For more tips, care and interesting facts about cats and several other species, check out other content here on the Ukvibes website !