How to Take Care of Your Newly-Adopted Cat
At home, with plenty of free time, and looking for a companion to provide comfort during recent troubling times, you may have recently found yourself with a new furry family member. Lots of people have made the choice to adopt a pet during the unusual time of COVID-19. Though a lot more may be going on that can complicate things, it is always an exciting time to be bringing a newly-adopted cat into the home!
You’ve now got yourself a new playful kitty or more laid-back older cat with all its own unique personality. And what better way to relieve some stress than by playing with or cuddling this new member of the family?
Yes, cats can certainly be a lot of fun, but they can also be a lot of work too. If you’re pretty new to the whole pet ownership business, you may not realize just how much attention and care are required. Put simply, it’s going to take more than just putting out a food bowl and offering up some snuggles.
Pets Are A Lot of Work
Owning a pet, as you probably already know, really is a big responsibility. They require time, commitment, and the dedication to keeping them healthy and happy. Additionally, the care you provide them can often cost you financially.
Of course, the love of a cat is worth all the money and effort put into them. I know that most pet owners agree, there is never any hesitation to do anything for them. Yes, there are times when they might leave a messy little “surprise” in the worst place or forget manners and do something like walk right across the keyboard, trying to update their own kitty Twitter. There are the costly vet visits and nights of lost sleep worrying over their health. There are the reasons for leaving early that are all essentially the same, “my cat is waiting for me at home”. It’s all worth it.
Because yes, cats require sacrifice, but for a caring pet owner, they make it easy by being our perfect companions.
What You Need to Know if You’ve Just Added a New Furry Friend to the Family
I’m sure you want to be the best new pet parent that you can be. You know this new cat will require a lot from you, but you’re ready to put your best foot forward into this new adventure. If you’re ready to get started, I have the helpful advice that might help to guide you into pet ownership.
Bringing a New Cat into the Home
When you first bring home your new family member, be prepared for them to need a bit of time to get adjusted to the new environment. You may be super excited to take kitty on a tour of the place or introduce them to every single creature also living with you, but moving in might be a bit more of a nerve-wracking experience for them. Most cats will need a bit of time to acclimate to a new home, but don’t worry; they will be a happy member of the family in no time.
To ease the transition for your new pet, make sure to bring them in when the house is calm and there won’t be too much around to frighten them. It might be better to wait until the cat is more warmed up before having a big, noisy family game night, for example.
Bring them in under calmer conditions and allow independent time for them to explore, while of course watching out for anything they might get themself into. Just avoid fussing over the new addition for a while, as they need their space to learn where they are. After some time, you might gradually and carefully introduce them to any other pets you may already have in the home. Look out for any signs of distress and just give them time.
Keeping Them Healthy
Of course, the most essential aspect of pet care is actually taking care of the pet. It’s important to have everything you need for your pet’s health before you even bring them home. This means, at minimum, having food and water bowls, somewhere for them to sleep, a litter box, and the type of food just right for them.
Yes, pets obviously need to be fed, and there’s more to the task than what is obvious. All cats have their own unique dietary needs and also their own individual preferences for what gets put into the food bowl. You might need to be careful about feeding your cat only dry food in case they become dehydrated. An older cat may need to get some extra nutrients in their food, as aging makes things a bit more difficult. And you may just need to keep mixing things up and see what works if you’ve got a picky eater on your hands.
Diet is especially relevant when it comes to one of the most common pet health concerns, obesity. When it comes to making sure your new pet stays in shape though, exercise also plays a large role. And exercise isn’t just good for keeping off weight, but can also keep your pet engaged and be an enjoyable activity for them as well as for you, the owner.
To make sure your cat gets enough exercise, find the time to take on an activity they enjoy. You might choose to play games of chase, which get their hunting instincts going, or otherwise encourage them to run off excess energy. Some cats love laser pointers while others might actually want to play fetch, chasing after things like tossed hair ties. Whatever your cat enjoys, you’ll find their favorite activity eventually. Just don’t let them laze around all day.
Meeting a pet’s basic needs means ensuring a good diet and exercise. Keeping a cat healthy means checking off on the everyday stuff as well as handling larger health concerns through visits to the veterinarian. You don’t only want to take them in when there’s an emergency, but also at other times to handle the more routine things like vaccines and health assessments. This can help prevent dangerous virus such as feline infectious peritonitis.
Since all pets need to have these vet visits, you may want to set some money aside for these expenses, especially since there is always the chance of a more urgent situation arising. There are certain signs you might look out for to tell if a vet visit is immediately required. These include a loss of appetite, no desire to get out of bed, and sudden accidents around the house when already house trained, among other things.
If your cat is ever dealing with a health issue, it is up to you, as their owner, to find out what’s wrong and provide the necessary care.
Keeping Them Happy
When you brought that cat home, you made a serious commitment. Now, as they lay across your lap, purring, you have to realize that you’re their whole world. As a pet owner, it is your job now to prioritize your cat as an important member of the family.
However, pet ownership is not just a chore. It can obviously be a lot of fun as well. Keeping them happy can often be nothing more than a game!
Keeping your new pet entertained and happy can be as simple as engaging your cat in a game of string or chase. If your kitty isn’t into such active play, they will surely enjoy getting petted, receiving a cuddle, or just sitting by your side on the couch. Whether through play or simple socialization, most cats love getting attention from their owners.
While spending time with your new cat, you might want to also get some training sessions in there. Training improves an animal’s behavior, of course, but it can also be a great way to bond while engaging your pet’s mind. Start simple, addressing the behavioral changes you most want to see take place, and eventually you may be able to get your cat to sit on command or even have them completing agility courses. At the very least, you’ll be able to have a more well-behaved pet.
The Joy of a New Pet
Above all, remember the reasons you decided to take this cat home in the first place. If you are committed to providing them a good home, you’ll do what it takes to keep them happy and healthy. At the same time, you will get to experience the true joy that is owning a cat. I hope you enjoy getting to know your new best friend!
