follow a new cat is fantastically exciting . From beak out the perfect name to set the ultimate Caterpillar - friendly casa , there ’s so much to await onwards to ! However , cat borrowing can often be a turn overwhelming , too . And that go bad for first - time cat parent and seasoned cat mammy and dads alike .
Welcoming a furry felid BFF to your home is a serious commitment . It requires careful consideration and plenty of planning . Here ’s a first - time Caterpillar possessor checklist of whatnotto do if you ’re considering a Modern pool fellow traveler .
put yourself up for success by nullify these uncouth cat adoption mistakes !
Rushing Into Adoption
Caring for a khat is infinitely rewarding , but it also demand significant sentence , effort , and money . Before bet at adoptable big cat , make sureallmembers of your house are on circuit card with the idea .
“ Discuss the idea with the full mob , ” urgesSteve Dale , a Chicago - establish licence animal doings adviser ( CABC ) and adoption advocate . “ While CAT are less of a time commitment than dog , they do take meter , and there ’s the fiscal commitment to consider , as well . ”
It ’s easy to get lost in the excitation of searching for ( and finding ! ) your kitty soulfulness mate . But there are plenty of less exciting favored parent task to consider , too . Like litter box scooping .
Make indisputable you have a plan for how to handle such tasks before you seal off the sight with your endearing adoptee .
Not Considering Finances
Though cats do n’t come with gravid - tag costs like cars and college tuition , preferent parenting can still be expensive . TheASPCA estimatescat parents generally expend around $ 630 a year on their kitty-cat .
However , that figure includes only unremarkable veterinary care , food , treats , and toy . If your cat has a medical emergency or ask more complex veterinary fear for things likeurinary issuesorfeline diabetes , expenses can supply up quickly .
Take a hard look at your budget before you bring another lip to feed . And make certain you have a plan for cover unexpected expenses , like accidents or illnesses . A good general rule : The first disbursement you ’ll encounter is the espousal fee . If that price is a financial essence , rethink your readiness for a positron emission tomography .
Not Asking Questions
Unless you utter fluent cat or have feline ESP , you ’re probably relying on smell and inherent aptitude to find your perfect cat match .
However , you ca n’t learn much about a cat ’s alone preferences , quirks , and personality that room . Not to mention wellness history or any possible issues . For the straight inside scoop , it ’s important to add up prepared with questions for the protection staff .
“ Ask the adoption pleader about the CT ’ personality , and honestly describe your family , ” send word Dale . “ by and large , shelter are pretty adept at cause match — sort of Tinder for felines . They spend all daylight every daylight with the cats ; you only get a snapshot . ”
Only Looking at Kittens
Whodoesn’twant a kitty ? Famously cunning , curious , and cuddly , itty - teensy-weensy kitties are often the most pop pets at any protection . However , it ’s a full theme to remain subject to acat or kittenwhen you visit the shelter .
kitty can beveryactiveand constantly thirst attention . And that means they may not be the perfect match for everyone . If you ’re not fain to keep your always - on , high - vigor housemate entertained , take on an old catmay be the right fit for you .
“ kitten are so precious and so much merriment – and even more workplace , ” say Dale . “ mass often forget just how much workplace it was , and romanticize years later . The older cats tend to be more high , and will quickly catch on to basic rules . ”
Failing to Cat-Proof Your Home
Before bringing home a newfangled cat , ensure the environment is good for your curious feline Quaker . Here are a few cat care top for founder to keep your kitty safe .
Not Creating a Safe Space
A fresh cat should n’t be make access to the full house . Instead , provide your cat with a safe space they can utilize as a home base . This should be somewhere away from the hustle and bustle , say brute behavior manager Karen Reese fromOperation Kindness , an animal tax shelter in north Texas .
“ Cats adjusting to a young house may not do well with a lot of racket and dealings , ” say Reese .
“ fix up a safe area in a bedroom or bathroom . That way , the cat can have this space all to themselves at first . ”
This space should include necessities ( food , water , and a litter box ) as well as brute conveniences ( a snug layer , a scratch post , and toy dog ) .
pass clip stick to with your cat somewhere secure to facilitate them steady down into their young rest home . Then volunteer them more exemption to research over the next few days .
“ As your true cat gets prosperous , you could offer them more blank space in your home , ” says Reese . “ But ensure they always have access to their safe area . ”
“ It can also help to guarantee they have admission to other hiding spaces around your home , ” she continues . “ These can be under or behind piece of furniture , covered guy beds , or even boxes turn on their side . ”
Forcing Interactions
Some cats will skip right in your lap and never count back . However , most cats will need more time to warm up … and that ’s dead normal ! Never force your new pet to interact if they ’re not ready .
“ Cats are often nervous of young places and situations – it ’s how they survived in the natural state , ” says Dr. Joanna Woodnutt , MRCVS . “ As vets , we like to use the adage ‘ go dumb to go tight ’ with cat . In other words : keep quiet , keep calm , and countenance your cat come to you . ”
Expecting Your Cat to Adjust Right Away
Being frightened , skittish , or “ standoffish ” is normal for a new cat . So do n’t worry if your Modern ducky is hesitant or even skin . It ’s not a reflection of their reliable personality or your future relationship .
“ I once foster a rescue guy who hid for a whole workweek and did n’t exhaust at all for the first two days , ” says Dr. Woodnutt . “ After about a calendar week , she started to research the eternal rest of the sign . And a couple of week after that , she turned into a chatty , convinced small girl . ”
“ It ’s nothing to worry about if your cat is nervous at first , ” she continue . “ You ’ll still form a cracking bond , and it ’s deserving the waiting ! ”
Introducing Pets Too Quickly
The last thing most qat want to see is a new furred friend bounding up to greet them . If you have other pets in your abode , Dale suggests introduce the young cat slowly and conservatively .
“ A gradual creation is a must , ” he urges . “ It can take weeks to present a new cat to existing CAT . ”
Here ’s how to inclose quat to their raw animal housemate , harmonise to Dale . The new cat should first “ fill ” your other pets in a controlled style to help oneself them feel secure . inclose your animalsby allowing them to get a line and smell each other while on polar sides of a closed door .
Ideally , your new cat should be in their “ dependable distance ” behind a closed door , with the other pets on the opposite side .
Next , set up a baby gate and supervise meeting through the gate . Eventually , allow your young deary to enter the communal space at their own pace .
Not Establishing a Routine
In the exhilaration of convey home a new pet , it can be easy to deviate from the routine of daily life . However , consistency is primal for making cat feel comfortable ! “ Caterpillar are tremendous creatures of habit , ” says Reese .
Establishing a routine and doing your upright to stick to it creates a sense of consistency and trust . eat your cat at the same times each day , agenda regular play sessions , and adjudicate to adhere to a predictable work schedule , suggests Reese .
It may feel a fleck like the movie “ Groundhog Day , ” but that secure routine will help your Caterpillar adjust .
Not Researching Veterinarians
Do n’t wait until your new hombre has a aesculapian problem to make a veterinary naming . The best time to start researching veterinarians in your expanse is before you bring your young computed axial tomography home . you could even schedule introductory appointments to get a feel for the practice and staff before you commit .
Finding a veterinarian you finger well-situated with is an crucial first stone’s throw to help your pet live a long , happy , respectable life .
“ While some shelters do offer veterinary care and basic vaccine , they do n’t broadly have time or resources for deep dives , ” says Dale . So even if your cat become a fresh poster of health from the tax shelter , it ’s still worth scheduling a novel true cat date with your own vet .
“ What ’s more , you want to make those veterinary visits positive experiences from mean solar day one , ” Dale says .
He recommends encounter aFear Free Certifiedveterinary practice for your newfangled cat . Vets manifest in fear - free techniques specialize in caring for fearful , anxious , or stressed - out pets .
All too often , “ cat literally think they are going to break when visiting the vet , ” Dale say . “ It does n’t call for to be this way , ” he continues . find the right veterinarian to put your qat at comfort can make all the conflict .
Yelling at Your Cat
As your new cat learns your firm rules and routines , they ’ll probably make mistakes . But no matter what kitty bad luck you encounter — from scratch piece of furniture tocat wee-wee everywhere — adjudicate to remain serene and patient .
Never yell at orscruff your catas a form of penalty . Doing so can cause further setbacks and damage your bond . Instead , apply positive reinforcing stimulus to encourage unspoiled behaviors , order Reese .
“ Positive reinforcement allows cat to link up specific actions and behavior as ripe or bad , ” she explains . “ By using treats to compliment serious behaviour , they can start to realize that you ’re a champion , not a foe . ”
Home Sweet Home: Setting Yourself Up for Adoption Success
espouse and settling in a new pet postulate time , forbearance , and know - how . The reward ? A lifelong bail bond with your felicitous , healthy , well - adjusted companion !
If you could avert these first - time hombre owner fault , you should see signs your newfangled cat is adjusting in no time . Then it ’s nothing but “ Happy Tails ” for you and your young feline friend .
