10 tips to help you become the best cat owner of all time
Here are ten important tips for new cat parents that will enhance the wonderful journey ahead and help you become the best cat owner ever!
1. Choose a good veterinarian and cat caregiver.
One of the first things you'll need to do is find an excellent veterinarian for your cat, preferably nearby. Ask your cat-owning friends for their local vet recommendations or check Google Maps. During your cat's first checkup, be sure to ask the vet if he or she notices anything about your cat's health that you should be aware of.
Hire a loving, local pet sitter to care for your kitty while you're away. You can also find an experienced cat sitter to make quick visits with your new pet, this is especially helpful when you work long hours.
2. Set up your cat's room
The best way to help your new cat adjust well to your home is to get him settled in a designated place. This room or enclosed area should contain his litter box, bedding, food and toys.
Cats generally need time to adjust to new people and environments, so it's important to have a space set aside for your new feline family member, especially if you have other pets or children in the home.
3. Remember: it's okay if your cat hides from you.
It's normal for a cat to hide under the bed and disappear for long periods of time. If this is the case, sit next to your cat and wait for him to come to you. If he doesn't, try again later.
Be sure to leave food and water out for your cat, and if he doesn't seem to have eaten for a few days, contact your veterinarian for advice on what to do.
4. Be prepared to groom your cat constantly.
You're going to start seeing cat hair everywhere. All cats need grooming to some extent, so invest in reliable grooming tools because you'll find yourself using them on your kitty every week.
5. Socialize with your cat often
Many people think cats are antisocial, but that doesn't mean they don't need playtime. Hang out with your cat every day and let her get used to different social situations and environments.
If you're bringing home a kitten, this is especially important since two to 12 weeks of age is considered the prime socialization period.
6. Clean their litter box every day
Litter boxes are convenient, but they can get dirty if you don't clean them. A simple daily spot cleaning will do the trick and many litter formulas make it easy to pick up and flush any residue down the toilet.
Your cat will love you for giving him a nice, clean place to relieve himself and you'll appreciate not having to smell the mess he leaves behind.
7. Invest in a scratching post
Cats scratch things. Your furniture, curtains and carpet will thank you. Cats need an outlet for their scratching urges, so it's smart to provide them with a scratching post. It's also a great way for cats to exercise and perform their daily stretches.
8. Know the ingredients in your cat's food.
Before you're tempted to buy the cat food that appears in adorable commercials, take a moment to read the ingredient list. Many of these mass-market brand-name cat foods include preservatives, such as BHT, BHA and ethoxyquin, and filler ingredients, such as meat by-products, meat meal and corn meal.
Talk to your veterinarian about which brands of food are best for your cat's nutritional needs, you can even cook up homemade cat food recipes.
9. Remember, you can train your cat
Positive reinforcement is the ideal way to train your cat, and you'll be surprised how much they can learn! Don't punish them for bad behavior, instead, reward them for the behavior you want to encourage.
If your cat seems stressed and is misbehaving for no reason, visit your veterinarian to make sure nothing is medically wrong.
10. Give your cat some fun toys
Cats love to play with toys! From little felt mice to balls with bells on them, there are plenty of toys that make great excuses for you to hang out with your cat. They'll enjoy it as much as you do!
