first-time cat owner

What You Should Know As a First Time Cat Owner

One of the most interesting times in my life was when I was a first-time cat owner. It was fascinating to observe the mysterious feline behaviors and watch the growth, interests, athletic abilities, eating patterns, play patterns, and sleeping patterns of cats, as well as the affectionate nature of cats.

As a first-time cat owner, there are several important things you need to know. There are things you need to do to prepare your home, and things to buy to prepare for your new kitty. Below we will help you get ready for your new cat as a first-time cat owner.

When preparing for your new cat, it is important to make sure your cat is healthy, your home is safe, and you have what you need to provide good nutrition and bathroom habits.

Household Decisions

As you prepare for your new cat, there are some important decisions to make. If you have others in your home, it is important to make these decisions as a family or household so everyone is on the same page with expectations.

When you finish answering these questions, make a list of what you need for your new cat and make a plan to go shopping.

Questions to Ask When You Pick Up Your Cat

When you pick up your cat for the first time, it is important to get a good history. First-time cat owners often regret not getting more information about their new cat when they had the chance. Depending on where you get your cat, this may be your only opportunity. Many shelters and humane societies don’t keep records for long making it impossible to go back and get a history on a stray that came in months or years ago. The amount and quality of information available will vary greatly depending on the individual circumstance.

How to Prepare for a New Cat

Has the cat had any prior medical problems? If so, what were the problems and how were they treated?

The best way to prepare for a new cat is to cat-proof your home to ensure it is safe, be prepared with the proper cat products such as litter box, litter, food and water dishes, scratching posts, bed, food, comb, brush, treats, and flea/tick/heartworm prevention products.

Some tips to help your cat include:

Learn more about How to Be Successful at Taking Care of a Cat For the First Time.

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