Raising a cat is a journey full of fun and love, but it can also be challenging for first time cat owners. Cats, as independent and flexible pets, have unique needs and habits. This article provides a series of practical tips for first time cat owners to help you smoothly navigate the initial stages of cat parenting.
Cat Supplies Preparation
Before welcoming a new cat home, there are some starter cat supplies you must prepare. Here is a first time cat owner checklist:
| Cat food | Ask the shelter, cattery or original owner about the cat food that the cat used to eat, and gradually transition to the new cat food, which is less likely to cause gastrointestinal discomfort. |
| Cat litter | There are many types of cat litter on the market. Generally, bentonite cat litter or tofu cat litter are more effective. Tips for new cat owners if you don’t know what to buy you can also buy a small amount of different types to try and see which material are best for your cat. |
| Scratching Post | Scratching is a cat’s natural instinct, especially for kittens whose claws grow quickly. A tips for new cat owners to avoid injuries during play or furniture damage, prepare a scratching post for them. |
| Boxes | When cats first arrive in a new environment, they may be afraid and subconsciously look for a place to hide. A box can greatly alleviate their anxiety. |
| Carrier | An advice for first time cat owners to use a carrier when bringing your cat home or for short trips. A Cat backpack is not recommended as it is small and poorly ventilated. |
| Food and Water Bowl | Choose wide-mouth bowls made of ceramic or glass, as cats do not like the smell of plastic. Keep the water fresh at all times. |
| Litter box | It is recommended to choose an open litter box with a larger size. If your cat is timid, a closed litter box might make them anxious and cause them to soil outside the box randomly. |
| Cat teaser | Cat teasers are a good choice for playing with cats. Tips for first time cat owners when playing with cats, never tease them with your hands. They may treat your hands as toy and bite them mercilessly, which can easily develop a habit of biting people. |
| Cat Comb | Combing your cat’s hair regularly with a cat comb can reduce the amount of hair shedding and prevent tangles. |
Read More: 8 Best Cat Breeds for First-Time Owners
New Cat Owner Guide
Some tips for first time cat owners when you bring a cat home for the first time, that’s what you need to do:
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Adaptation
Upon arriving home, don’t rush to open the carrier. Instead, let your cat stay inside the carrier to observe the new environment for a few minutes. Once you feel the cat has slightly adapted to the surroundings, you can gently open the carrier door and let it come out on its own.
An advice for new cat owners, for the first two weeks if no one is home or during sleep time, it’s recommended to keep them in a cage. When someone is home, let them out to roam freely. This is because in a new environment, the cat might feel anxious and try to mark its territory by urinating or defecating everywhere. Once they adapt to the environment, they can have free access all the time.
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Avoid Over-Worrying
When a cat first arrives home, it might dislike the new environment and may cry at night. This process is very normal. If needed, you can hold the cat to provide comfort and make it feel secure. Additionally, many first time cat owners may very anxious when the cat does not eat or drink, leading to forced feeding or unnecessary vet visits, these actions only increase the cat’s anxiety.
Tips for new cat owners what you need to do is nothing—let the cat adjust to the environment on its own without forcing interactions or constantly watching it, and provide companionship and encouragement at the right times to build trust.
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Interaction
If the cat is generally fine but not interacting with you, patiently wait for the cat to initiate interaction. During the adaptation period, do not force the cat to do anything. If the cat is reluctant to come out or interact, respect its wishes. As it becomes more familiar, it will gradually appear in your sight. At that point, you can extend your finger for the cat to sniff. If the cat does not reject you, gently stroke its head and observe its reaction. Slowly, the cat will build trust in you.
Read More: 19 things cats hate
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Building a Sense of Security
Provide a fixed daily routine to help the cat feel a sense of regularity in its life. Consistent feeding times and activity times can help the cat adapt to the new environment more quickly. Avoid sudden loud noises and rapid movements to prevent frightening the cat.
Health Checkup
Research veterinary clinics near your home. It is recommended that you take your cat to the clinic for a comprehensive physical examination within a week of bringing it home, and create a health record for the cat.
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Vaccination
Tips for first time cat owners to ensuring your cat’s health requires not only daily care but also regular vaccinations and deworming. Firstly, your cat needs to receive essential vaccinations to prevent common infectious diseases. The primary vaccines include rabies, feline panleukopenia (also known as feline distemper), and feline herpesvirus (feline viral rhinotracheitis). The feline panleukopenia and feline herpesvirus vaccines can prevent serious cat illnesses, ensuring your cat’s long-term health.
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Deworming
In addition to vaccinations, regular deworming is also necessary. Cats are prone to various parasites, including intestinal parasites (such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms) and external parasites (such as fleas and ticks). The frequency of internal deworming is typically every three months, but the specific timing can be adjusted based on your veterinarian’s advice. The frequency of external deworming depends on your cat’s living environment and seasonal changes. Timely deworming ensures your cat’s health and prevents parasites from spreading to other pets or human members of the household.
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Neutering/Spaying
When cats reach sexual maturity, they may start spraying urine to mark their territory, and female cats may go into heat intermittently. Cats can be neutered or spayed from 6 to 8 months old, though the anesthesia risk increases with age. After neutering, cats usually become more docile, and spaying female cats reduces the risk of mammary tumors and pyometra.
Home Safety
Make sure your cat is away from anything that could threaten their life and provide them with a comfortable environment.
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Toxic Substances
Advice for new cat owners is to keep items that can cause poisoning out of reach of your cat, such as chocolate, onions, and grapes. Additionally, if you enjoy keeping plants, be aware that some plants like daffodils, azaleas, lilies, and hydrangeas are highly toxic to cats and must be placed where they cannot reach them. Common household items like medications, fragrances, and mosquito coils should also be kept away from cats.
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Safe Environment
Important cat tips for new owners, strongly recommended to install cat nets on windows, especially for those living in high-rise buildings. Cats are very curious creatures and can easily fall from windows due to curiosity or fright. There have been many cases of cats getting seriously injured or dying from high falls. To protect your cat’s safety, it is crucial to install sturdy cat nets.
Conclusion
Overall, raising a cat is a journey filled with fun and love, but it also requires corresponding effort and attention. By following the tips for first time cat owners, new cat owners can ensure their cat’s health and happiness. I hope this article provides you with useful information and guidance, allowing you to enjoy more joy and satisfaction in the process of raising a cat. Enjoy the wonderful time with your little companion!
