New Cat Owner Tips: Bringing Your New Kitty Home

1. Having a new pet cat can be overwhelming at times. You may have questions and feel anxiety about what is best for your new companion. Fortunately, you can ask your veterinarian, trainer, or other professional to help you through possible obstacles. Ask for help and use your resources.
2. Preparing for your new kitty before you bring him home will help ease anxiety and make way for a smoother transition. Make a list of all required supplies and any changes you need in order to make your home comfortable for your new pet.
3. Pet-proofing your home includes removing items that your cat can chew or choke on. Most small objects, breakable items, and wires can be dangerous. Be aware that certain plants are toxic to your cat, so remove them from reach. Please visit the ASPCA website for a list of plants that are toxic: http://bit.ly/dZepBf
4. Decide where you will place your new kitty’s bed, toys, and litter box. Choose places that are quiet and not too high traffic. Talk to other household members about how you will divvy up pet chores, like cleaning the litter box.
5. Buy all the necessary supplies ahead of time. You will need the following: food, food and water bowls, a collar, litter box and litter, toys, a scratching post, a warm bed, a brush, and cleaning supplies.
6. Cats naturally enjoy scratching because that’s the way they were built! It’s a ritual that keeps their claws in shape and is an important part of play. This becomes a problem for cat owners when their kitty decides to sharpen his claws on the new curtains or the Persian rug. We do not recommend having your cat declawed as a solution. Rather, provide a scratching post that allows your cat to both stretches and digs their claws into something. Providing a variety of scratching posts made of different materials is even better. You should also make sure your cat’s claws are regularly trimmed. Starting at a young age will condition him to tolerate and even enjoy getting his nails clipped.
7. When you go to the pet store to get supplies, you can also purchase an ID tag for your kitty. Identification is important in the event your cat slips out of the house or is lost on trips to the vet. You should also make certain your cat is microchipped. ID and microchipping are especially useful if your cat is allowed outdoors.
8. Make an effort to provide structure for your cat during his first few weeks in your home. Try not to initiate any drastic changes to his environment or make excessive noise as he acclimates.
9. According to the ASPCA, most cats prefer a large, open litter box with unscented litter. Scoop out the litter at least once a day. These tips might reduce the likelihood that your cat will do his business outside the litter box.

Wishing you and your new kitty much happiness!!