Dear Human,
Congratulations! So! You’re ready to give lots of love to a cat, you’ve purchased your supplies, and now your cat is ready to come home with you. What, pray tell dear human, comes next? Here are my top eight hints to help the first day goes without a hitch.
#1. INTRODUCE A NEW CAT TO YOUR HOME S-L-O-W-L-Y:
We cats don’t like novel situations and have a hard time adjusting to new smells. Moreover, we don’t even know who you are or if we can trust you. I urge you, dear human, to provide us with our own space and be sure to show us that you are a safe human.
For the first day in our new home, start us out in one quiet room, such as a bedroom. This way, we can get used to the sounds and smells of our environment. Going slowly is especially important if other cats are in the home. In the days that follow, you can gradually introduce us to the rest of the house.
#2. BEWARE OF THE CURIOUS CAT:
We cats love to explore and eventually will find our ways to every nook and cranny of your home. Keep doors to locations that could hurt us – like the washer machine – closed. We also may chew, eat, or drink anything – such as an electrical cord. We can’t help it; we’re cats!
Be sure to put harmful products – like medications and cleaning supplies – in cabinets. Lastly, some house plants can kill cats. If you have plants, check and make sure that they are not poisonous to cats.[1,2]
#3. A SCRATCHING POST OR PAD IS REQUIRED!
Ah, the scratching post. Not only do scratching posts help prevent damage to your furniture, they help us cats stretch our muscles and remove the old layers from our claws. Plus, scratching just feels fantastic! [1]
#4. WE WILL BREAK YOUR FAVORITE VASE:
Naive human, I guarantee that, if left out, we will break your favorite vase, or lamp, or speaker, etc. We cats simply don’t understand what you don’t want us walk on or knock it over, because our rules are very different than yours.
If you want to keep your delicate objects safe, put them behind glass. Secure all tall items that could be damaged if toppled (like a tall stereo speakers and plants).
#5. DON’T FEED ME TOO MUCH!
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends feeding us high-quality, brand-name kitten or cat food. Choose a type of food that right for the age, activity level and health of your cat. Because our stomachs are small, most veterinarians recommend four small meals a day. Find more tips about feeding us at Cat Food Tips from Ginger.
And don’t forget that we must have water available at all times. Replenish a water bowl or two with a fresh water every day.[1]
#6. WE ARE TREE LURKERS AND CAVE DWELLERS:
We fuzzballs may seem small and tame, but all domestic cats are genetically similar to our larger wild cat relatives, and so our wild natures need attention. Buy us a cat tree so that we can lurk from high above and keep an eye on our kingdom. A cardboard box will also appease our feral side and is like a cave to cats. Supply us with a box so we can wait inside to spring on unsuspecting prey (or maybe just curl up and take a nap).[2]
#7. DON’T FEEL LIKE SCOOPING LITTER? YOU WILL REGRET IT!
We cats come litter trained. However, because we are very clean creatures, we simply cannot stand a dirty litter box. Therefore I insist, dear human, if you don’t want us leaving a smelly “message” on top of your bed, scoop solid wastes out of the box at least once a day. After scooping, make sure that we still have the recommended amount of litter (usually about four inches).
About once a week (less frequently if using clumping litter), change the litter and wash the box. Human cleaning products can make us sick, so only use very mild, scent-free, ammonia-free soap.
Do you have more than one cat? The cardinal rule is to have one more litter box than cats. And, if after all this your cat will not use her clean litterbox, she likely has an emotional or medical problem. Take her to a veterinarian to find out what they problem is.[1]
And #8. MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR CAT:
When developing a relationship with a cat, my most important advice is let us come to you. But the task doesn’t end there. Once the cat comes to you, he is learning to trust you. Ask his permission to touch him by holding out your hand a few inches from his face. If the cat is ready to make friends with you, he will rub his face on your hand. This is his signal that it’s okay to touch him.
Begin slowly by rubbing his neck area. When he’s ready, he may present other parts of his body for you to rub. Bonus hint #9, dear human: Keep a kitty treat available to reward your cat’s brave new steps.
Your cat wants to please you. Take time to show him you are kind and trustworthy. Be patient, and he will be your loyal friend.
Winning the privilege to pet a cat means that you are a part of
the special group of humans granted approval by cats.
we use the clumping kind of litter it helps with getting the urine smell out better than regular litter you are so helpful hints from beautiful Ginger thanks hugs blessings much love the cats and me x o
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent tips, Ginger!
Thank you very much Leah!
Excellent hints, thanks.
Great hints Ginger!
Interesting article. If you don’t have a cat tree yet, cats will also like it if you put furniture under a window so that the cats can look out. But I have a cat tree now. My cats like to scratch them and get their smell on the fleece material.