Owning a cat requires a bit of work, but in return it returns a lot of pleasure. Here are some ideas on how to make your new kitty feel at home, while giving you peace of mind. Getting a new pet is a transition, so take it one step at a time and don’t be afraid.
If you have a small kitten, make sure you handle him a lot, gently show him that you are someone he can trust. Put a clock where your bed is, the soothing sound imitates the mother cat’s heartbeat. If you are going to keep the kitten in a separate room until he is ready to acclimate to the house, make sure he has a soft pillow or cat bed for him to sleep on. Some toys are also appreciated. Some great free toys are things like a cotton swab tied to a string and hung from a doorknob (supervise play with this article) or a milk jug ring (that plastic ring around the lid). At the pet store, buy super balls, a laser pointer, and catnip mice, then sit back and watch the show as kitty wears out, being a furry ballet dancer on springs, leaping into the air as she chases her “prey.” “. Find toys that are light and throw them around a bit to show the kitten how to play. Kittens learn by watching their mothers, so they will also learn by watching their adoptive human parents.
Set up an area for the cat’s litter box in a quiet, well-ventilated area. Then show kitty where it is, grab your hand, and play scratch the litter to show it’s okay to use it. Again, cats learn by watching, and kittens especially need a little guidance at times. If the kitten goes to the bathroom on him outside of the box, don’t punish him, just put him in his box right away. Do not show anger, as this will scare the cat into being afraid of you. Fear is not a good teacher, what you want is calm, praise and encouragement. Be sure to address the problem as it occurs for best results, as cats have short memory spans and will not correlate the accident with the cat box unless you quickly link the two with corrective action (putting kitty in box).
All my life I have fed my cats both wet and dry food. Ask your vet about the right amount to feed your cat, but make sure you get quality food that he likes, not just any cheap thing you see in the store. By feeding your cat quality food, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding health problems later on. My vet told me that male cats can have crystals in their urinary tracts, which are painful and expensive to remove. To avoid this, do not feed cat food that is high in magnesium. Read ingredient labels. I have male cats, and I avoid fish products and feed them turkey, chicken, or beef flavored canned foods. The ones with rice are also good. Just like humans, vary the flavors of the food you feed your cat a bit. I buy a box of canned food and feed him a can every day at the same time.
Save money on pet medications by buying them online. You can take kitty to the vet when sick and buy the medication there, but if it’s not an emergency, then by all means do your research to find lower prices on pet medications such as flea or parasite killing aids. My cat had tapeworms (they look like rice in cat feces) so I found out what medication the vet uses and located it on an internet pet store site. The drug would have cost me over $30 if I had bought it through the vet, but I got the exact same type for $15 online. It is worth researching the safety of the veterinarian-recommended medication and making sure you follow the dosing instructions very carefully. Do not give your pet a higher dose than directed and do not use dog medications on cats unless approved by your vet. Cats groom themselves, and if you use a topical medication on a cat intended for a dog, it could poison the dog when it cleans itself. It is better to be safe than sorry. Also, never give pets human medicine, cats have different systems than we do. Don’t gamble with the life of your precious pet.
When it comes to the question of whether or not to let your cat outside, it’s a proven fact that indoor cats live longer lives than those that are allowed outside. This is because there are a lot of outdoor dangers and illnesses that a roaming cat can encounter. Cars, cat-hating neighbors, dogs, diseases from other people’s pets, and of course, fleas top the list of dangers. We had cats growing up, they all went outdoors, and one by one, they died of things like leukemia, poisoned by a neighbor, hit by cars (we lost a few cats to cars), and one got trapped and came back with a mutilated leg, that needed to be amputated. We lived in a quiet and elegant street and still, all this happened. I cannot stress enough, indoor cats live longer. As an adult my cats have been indoors and have lived to be 21 years or older. Simply get your indoor kitty a cat tree (cat condo) or scratching post and place it near the window so she can watch birds.
Protect your cat when you have guests who are rude to or dislike cats. Put the kitten in another room if you don’t want it mistreated by very young children, for example. If you have small children, be sure to very carefully and thoroughly show them to be gentle and kind to pets. Well-meaning children can break a cat’s paw if picked up the wrong way (one of my cats was a rescue who had this happen to her), so it’s worth supervising your toddler’s interaction with a new pet. This is also for the child’s protection as rough handling of a cat can cause it to scratch! Cats are affectionate, but they must be treated kindly, or their natural instinct is to protect themselves.
If you’re going to be away for a week or so, make sure you have a pet sitter or friend watch your cat while you’re gone. Leave plenty of dry food and water for the cat, but make sure someone checks to make sure it hasn’t run out. My local pet sitters cost me $15 per day, a small price to pay for peace of mind when away from my furry friends.
Having a pet is a commitment and a privilege. Remember, your pet will be with you through thick and thin, so be there for him in sickness or in health. Give them the same chance at a happy and fulfilling life that you deserve by giving them a forever home. If for any reason you are forced to part with a pet due to unforeseen issues, be responsible for finding a good home for your pet. Do for your pet what you would do for yourself. There are few circumstances that justify giving up a pet, so I advise you to keep your commitment, no matter what. I live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and if I have to evacuate, my pets have a large pet carrier in the car, with a fan, so we can be together. If you are in a hurricane zone, plan for disasters ahead of time by equipping yourself with a collapsible cage for the back of your car, a water jug, and food if you evacuate. Never leave your pet behind, because he may not be there when you return. I microchipped all three of my cats, in case they were somehow physically separated from me, they could come home with me. Microchips carry the owner’s address and stray dogs are checked by authorities for them, so they are a great investment.
Having a pet teaches patience and responsibility. In return, you will be repaid with unconditional love and acceptance. If you have any questions about cat care, contact your local ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) chapter or veterinarian, and they will usually help you. about the phone. Over time, you and your pet will become more comfortable with each other. Until then, take it easy, remember to be kind and supportive, and you will have a special friend for life.
