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So You Want a Cat? 12 Best Pieces of Cat Advice
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Are you looking for cat advice? Bringing home a new cat is so exciting! Every pet parent wants to make sure they’re giving their pet the best care possible so that they stay happy and healthy. So what should you do to make sure your cat is set up to live their best life ever?
The Best Cat Advice for New Cat Parents:
1 - Find a Veterinarian You Can Trust
One of the most important pieces of cat advice you need to follow is to figure out what veterinarian you’re going to take your cat to. Ask around to figure out what vets in your area have a good reputation and will do a good job taking care of your cat for you. Your cat’s vet will be the one administering their cat vaccinations, treating any medical conditions that may requirecat medication, making recommendations for treating issues likecat fleas and worms, and overall making sure your cat stays in their best health.
2 - Get Your Cat Spayed/Neutered
Veterinarians generally recommend having your cat spayed or neutered by the time they are 6 months old. You should always follow your vet’s instructions about when the best time is to get this procedure done. Getting your cat fixed has a ton of benefits and is recommended as early as possible to reduce your cat’s risk of reproductive cancers, chances of pregnancy and reduces or eliminates the risk of spraying and marking. Check with your vet to see if your cat is ready to get spayed/neutered.
3 - Get All of The Right Cat Supplies
You might need to buy quite a few things to make sure you are ready to take care of your cat. Some cat supplies you should get before your cat comes home include:
- Cat Litter - Your cat needs a place to go potty. Cats are great in the sense that they have built-in instincts and know just where to relieve themselves and cover their tracks. There are different types of cat litter that might suit your cat better based on their needs and preferences, including clumping cat litter, sifting cat litter, pellet litter and more.
- Litter Box - You’ll need something to put your cat litter in. Your litter box should be big enough for your cat to go to the bathroom comfortably. If you or your cat need a box with a lid on it, make sure it's one that has enough room to stand up and move around. There are different types other than your standard cat litter box, including sifting boxes, automatic litter boxes and disposable litter boxes. It’s generally recommended that you have an extra litter box per kitty, so if you have one cat, think about purchasing two litter boxes.
- Cat Food - Your cat’s diet is incredibly important. Talk to your vet about what cat food would be best for your kitty. They might need different cat food depending on their age, health considerations or personal preferences. There are tons of options, including dry cat food, wet/canned cat food or even food toppers.
- Cat Treats - Your kitty deserves a cat treat every now and then for being such a good pet. Treats can also be good for training your cat and getting them used to their environment.
- Cat Dental Care - While many pet parents don’t realize this, dental health is just as important in cats as it is in humans. You should get a cat toothbrush, cat toothpaste, cat dental treats and other cat dental care options that keep their teeth shiny and clean. Make sure to only use products designed for cats.
- Cat Grooming Supplies - While your cat is great at cleaning themselves, they need help getting loose fur and trimming their nails. Make sure you get a cat brush/comb along with cat nail clippers to keep them looking great, reduce shedding and reduce scratching.
- Cat Bowls/Feeders - You’ll also need something to keep your cat food in. There are tons of options when it comes to cat bowls, including automatic cat feeders, stylish cat dishes and more.
- Cat Water Fountain - Your cat will need access to fresh water. Cats can get hydration from wet food if they eat it, but this won’t be enough to satisfy all of their water needs. If your cat eats kibble, they will certainly need a clean water source. Cats love running water, so cat fountains are a great option.
- Cat Bed - Your cat deserves their own comfy place to sleep. Make sure to get them a cat bed.
- Cleaning Supplies - Your cat might have a few accidents before they understand their environment. Make sure to get cat cleaning supplies to tidy up those specific messes.
- Cat Carrier - You’ll definitely need a safe way to transport your cat to and from the vet, while you travel or even during emergency situations. Make sure to get a cat carrier to protect your cat when you take them outside of your home.
4 - Let Them Get Used to You and Their New Home
It might take your cat some time to adjust to their new home. You need to be patient with them as they explore, squeeze into new places and get used to all of the sights and smells. Make sure to block off any places you do not want your cat to get into. Who knows – your cat might find hiding spots you didn’t even know existed! It's ok for your cat to hide while they get used to everything.
5 - Figure Out What Toys They Like
There are tons of different cat toys out there, and every cat likes something different. Some like stalking/hunting toys, some like string toys and some like chasing the red dot of a laser pointer. Figuring out what toys your cat likes best might take some trial and error but will make their life with you that much more personalized.
6 - Give Them Plenty of Stimulation
Your cat needs attention and stimulation to stay happy. Make sure to spend time giving them plenty of socialization. For some cats, this might look like snuggles and scratches. For other cats, this might look like playtime. Give your cat plenty of time for fun so they can exercise, play and be showered with attention.
7 - Give Them Plenty of Cat Furniture
Cat furniture is a must in the home. Without it, your cat might take liberties with where they choose to climb, scratch and play. No one wants their cats climbing all over tables and counters. Cat trees and other cat furniture give your cat a designated palace or “territory” to climb, explore and call theirs.
8 - Get Plenty of Cat Scratchers/Scratching Posts
Your cat instinctually needs to scratch their claws. This helps them keep them sharp and ready for the hunt. While your cat might not hunt many things inside, they will still want to sharpen those claws. Make sure to position plenty of scratching posts around your home to give your cat an outlet for their scratching.
9 - Exercise Their Instincts
Speaking of instincts, your cat has a lot of them. Make sure to give your cat plenty of opportunities to exercise different instincts like hunting and chasing. You can do this with laser pointers, cat toys and more.
10 - Scoop The Litter at Least Once a Day
Your cat likes their space to be clean. Make sure to scoop your cat’s litter at least once a day to keep it from getting too dirty. If your cat views their bathroom as too dirty, they might find somewhere else to relieve themselves.
11 - Set Up Your Space
If your space is not currently set up for cats, you might need to make a few adjustments. Make sure to remove houseplants that could be toxic to your cat, things you don’t want them to climb on and fragile objects that they might break as they explore their new space. Remember to tuck away smaller items too, like children’s toys, hair ties and string. These tiny objects can pose a serious threat to your cat’s digestive system.
12 - Give Them All of Your Love
The last piece of cat advice is to give your cat all of your love and affection. They are going to be your best friend for a long time. Remember to always shower them with love and affection.
Information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure your pet and is not a substitute for veterinary care provided by a licensed veterinarian. For any medical or health-related advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet, contact your veterinarian.
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