All The Way Home: Adopting A Cat
Kitten season is in full swing, and June often marks the height of this phenomenon. This feline population boom fills animal shelters with healthy kittens who all need loving homes, and has prompted Animal Humane to designate June ‘Adopt a Cat Month’.
With that, your team at Bowman Animal Hospital is celebrating cats and cat care, and encouraging our pet loving friends to consider adopting a cat!
Adopting a Cat
If you’re thinking of adopting a cat, here are a few helpful tips to consider.
Make sure everyone in your home is on board – Adopting a new cat should be a family affair, from deciding to welcome a new cat to going to the shelter together to select the perfect fit.
Stock up on supplies – Help your new cat feel at home right away by getting all the things you need before the cat comes home. Your new cat will need:
- Food bowls and water bowls
- A litter box
- Cat litter
- Cat food
- Scratching posts
- Safe and stimulating toys
- A perch or cat tree
- A cushy bed
- Nail trimmers
- Tooth brush
- A grooming brush
Cat proof your home – Cats can and will get into things you’ve never imagined. Some plants, cleaning supplies, and essential oils can be very toxic to cats, so make sure all potentially dangerous items are stored safely out of reach. Kitties also love to explore, so it may be smart to remove valuable items until you and your new cat get the lay of the land, so to speak.
Go slow – It may take a new cat or kitten several weeks to acclimate to new surroundings. Give her plenty of space to hide if she wants to. A great idea is to give her a secluded space of her own in order to build confidence, and let her gradually have the run of the house as you both learn the limits. A single room with all her necessities is perfect, especially if you have other pets.
Take the long view – When considering adopting a cat, it’s important to realize that cats can live up to 20 plus years, with proper care and a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you have the financial resources to care for a cat for their life, and that veterinary care, housing, and possibly pet insurance are all a part of that plan.
Schedule a veterinary visit – In order to make sure your newly adopted cat is healthy and stays that way, come see us within 48 hours of adopting a new cat. Most shelters provide spaying or neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, and parasite prevention.
A veterinary exam will give you a chance to ask any questions about your new cat and form a plan for continued preventive care. This will ensure she lives a happy and healthy life from kitten-hood through the golden years.
New Cat Owners
Kittens can be so cute, and tons of fun. They are also little balls of energy that can keep you up at night (and on your toes all day!). You may want a more laid back cat, in which case adopting a cat who is a little older is a great option. Older cats have fully formed personalities, so you can find your perfect match. They also usually have a bit of training (aka litter box).
You might even find that you’re the right person to care for a senior or special needs cat. Either way, we look forward to seeing your newly adopted cat soon, and helping you care for her. Please give us a call with any questions or concerns.