Are You Planning To Adopt A Cat? Here Is What You Need To Know
If you're an animal lover, there will doubtless come a time in your life where you'll want a pet. Many people adopt cats, for example. That's because they are loyal, friendly and low-maintenance. When you're feeling down, your cat will come and cuddle up to you. And they'll play with you when you're feeling happy!
The idea of adopting a cat sounds good in theory, but some people get scared by the reality of it! Are you thinking of adopting a cat soon? Have you never looked after one before? Don't worry; you're not alone. This handy guide will tell you all you need to do.
Ensure your family members welcome the idea
Before you go and adopt a cat, you should first check that everyone at home is on board with the idea! After all; you don't want to discover, to your horror, that your sister hates the idea! It's not fair to the cat to adopt them and then give them back soon afterwards.
You need to be a responsible pet owner. As such, you should make sure everyone at home is OK with you getting a cat.
Stock up on supplies
Just as you would with a new baby, you should stock up on the things your cat needs before they arrive. Here is a list of the essentials you will need in your household:
-
Food;
-
A flea collar;
-
A bed with a soft blanket;
-
A scratching post;
-
Toys;
-
An electronic cat litter box; and
-
A couple of food and water bowls.
Of course, there are all kinds of other things you can get for your cat. But, for now, you just need to bring your new feline friend home and get them settled in your house.
Get your cat microchipped
Cats love to roam around the neighborhood. If your moggy goes missing, he or she might get found and handed over to a vet or the authorities. It's important your cat can get traced back to you.
The easiest way to do that is by having a microchip implanted under your cat's skin. A wireless reader can "detect" the chip and bring up its serial number. This gets linked to your name and personal details so that you can get contacted.
The microchip isn't expensive, nor it is a painful procedure for your cat. In fact, some cat adoption centers will do this as part of the fee they charge.
Learn about your cat's behavior and habits
Like humans, cats are territorial animals. They want to have their own private space and hate it when others invade it. In a nutshell, you must learn to respect your car. In return, they will give you respect back.
You need to learn about your cat's behavior and habits if you are both to get along. That means knowing the signs when your cat tells you they want to get left alone. You should also learn when they want something. They usually do this by meowing in a different way for food, or to be let outside.
Good luck!
