So You've Decided You Want a Cat..... What Next?
- Cat Love
- Oct 31, 2017
- 6 min read
The decision to get a pet is never a decision that should be taken lightly. They are going to become part of the family and it is a long term commitment. A cat adoption should never be an impulse buy. They are living creatures that deserve love, respect and appropriate care. By the end of this article you will know whether a cat is right for you, and you should have all the information you need to begin the wonderful journey of cat ownership.
Which cat is right for me? Adult vs Kitten
The first step is deciding what kind of cat would best suite your needs and whether to adopt a kitten, or an adult cat. Which one is best depends mostly on you. The kind of lifestyle you have, such as kids, other pets, and how much time you spend away from home are all things you should consider before making your decision. Below I have a quick list of the pros and cons (nothing's perfect) of adopting a kitten vs an adult cat.
Kittens
Pros
They are adorable
They adapt quickly to new surrounding
They are incredibly moldable and trainable
They are easier to introduce to other house hold pets.
If you have children, you will be able to watch them grow together.
They are very playful and allot of fun.
Cons
They need training such as litter training.
They require a lot of supervision.
They go through a phase relatable to the terrible toddler phase in kids. They will bite, claw, climb, and scratch everything. But don't worry about the time you think you've made a horrible decision, they become adorable and sweet again.
Adult Cat
Pros
They will most likely be litter trained.
They can spend a longer duration home alone.
They are less apt to get into trouble.
They are passed the terrible toddler kitten phase.
Less energetic, more sleeping in the sun less running around the house at 90k at 3:00am. (maybe)
Depending on their history you'll find they have a certain appreciation when they find their forever home.
Con
Depending on their past you may have some behavioral issues that you'll need to address.
They take a little bit longer to adjust to new environments.
They may struggle with other pets in the home.
Where do I get a cat?
Ok so now you've decided whether you want a kitten or adult cat, the next step is deciding where to adopt from. I believe that the first place that should be checked is your local humane society or rescue center. All fees paid go towards helping more animals. They also often offer discounts on fees for older cats and cats who have been there longer than expected.
You can also check your local classifieds or speak with your local vet to find your newest addition to the family.
It is also a good idea to know your vet clinics, as cats will require ongoing check-ups to keep on top of their health and address any concerns you have just like regular doctors appointments are ideal to your health.
What supplies do I need?
Ok so how you've found where you're adopting from and you're wondering what's next. Now it's the fun part. Shopping for all the supplies you'll need. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all things you will ever need but this are the essentials that will get you started
First you'll need litter supplies such as:
A litter box. Make sure it is big enough for your cat to move around in (or small enough if getting a kitten). If you have multiple cats you may want to think of having multiple boxes. The ideal cats per litter box ratio is one litter box per cat plus a spare, i.e if you had 3 cats ideally you would have 4 litter boxes. These are found in most department stores
Next you'll need to buy litter. I personally recommend Purina Tidy Cats. You can find it easily find it at places such as walmart, petsmart, and most grocery and department stores.
Next you'll want a pooper scooper. Ideally you'll want to scoop the litter box about 1-2 times per day. If you let the litterbox get too full be prepared to find "accidents" in unwanted places. Think of it this way, a dirty litter box is about the equivalence of having to use a dirty toilet with no toilet paper, and that doesn't sound appealing. Pooper scoopers can be found at dollarama, petsmart and walmart
Food Supplies and Accessories
Ok now that you have the kitty litter situation all figured out next you are going to be looking at food and accessories
First you are gonna want a food dish and water dish. You can get them in sets for food and water but I do NOT recommend that. Cats are reluctant to drink water that is near their food, this is because their instincts kick in and they fear the water is potentially contaminated. I find that cat fountains are the best, as it keeps the water moving so it doesn't get stagnant. I personally use the Whiskers City corner fountain. For a food dish they are pretty basic, I personally recommend ceramic as it doesn't wear as much and sometimes the aluminum bowls give their food a funny taste. You can buy these supplies at any major department or pet store
Next you are going to need food. I feed my cats dry kibble in the morning and a serving of canned soft food that evening. Cats are pretty smart and if you keep a regular schedule they will learn quickly what time is dinner time. Try to follow the recommended feeding guidelines but if you have a rescue, they may get anxious when they can see the bottom of the bowl, if this is the case just always top up the bowl so they can't see the bottom. Always try to buy the most age appropriate food as different life stages require different nutritional intakes. Kitten food is appropriate for any cat under 1 year, Adult food is appropriate for any cat age 1-7 years, Mature cat food is appropriate for any cat over 7 years old. I personally use Royal Canin to feed my cats. You can find it at some pet stores but all Veterinarian centres carry this brand.
With any new treats or food always monitor your cat for any allergic reactions. Most often when cats have a reaction it is chicken they react to, because chicken is found in about 85% of all treats and cat food. Symptoms of an allergic reaction are usually red itchy skin (mostly seen inside their ears as this is one of the few areas not covered in fur), swollen lips, irritability, persistent twitching of fur, swollen nose and eyes.
If your cats nose or eyes appear puffy and/or swollen or they appear to be gagging and/or having issues breathing please proceed to your nearest emergency animal hospital as these are signs of major reaction which need immediate medical attention as it is life threatening.
Furniture and Accessories
Next you have furniture and accessories (this is my favorite part)
The most important thing in this category is toys. Play is a very important piece of a happy and healthy cat. Whether there 6 months, 6 years, or 16 years old, cats still love to play. Toys that resemble prey, like birds, feathers, mice, etc are usually the best hit, but many cats enjoy many different toys. My cat Zoey like her plastic jingle balls and mouse toy and absolutely loves playing fetch. Toby Likes his tunnel and his furry tail toy.
Next is furniture, such as a scratching post. Cats need an area to scratch or they will find on themselves i.e your furniture. I personally like the scratching posts with the cardboard scratcher inserts, they are inexpensive to buy more inserts and are effective and appear to be the most satisfying to the cats. Again pet shops and department stores carry a wide range of scratching posts and cat trees.
Next you need a carrier, to bring your newest family member home, and you will want to keep this carrier for any time you need to transport your cat. Cats don't like vehicles and are a danger to themselves and others if they are not properly secured. Cats have a heightened sense of smell and the smell of gasoline and oil scares them. When cats get scared they like to hide, and there have been incidents where a cat has gotten under the brake pedal of a vehicle and caused an accident. Just like you should always wear a seatbelt in a vehicle, your cat should always be secured in the vehicle as well.
Now you're all set. You have everything you need to find your kitty and bring them home to their forever home. Please have patience with your new companions. They are scared and confused when they first come home, as they do not know it is home yet. They will settle in trust me. Plus the harder they play shy the more rewarding it is when you finally gain their love and trust.
I hope you enjoyed this article if you have any feedback I would love to hear from you. Feel free to contact me through email or facebook.
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