Getting a cat for the first time shouldn’t be a stressful situation, you should be excited. By going through our cat care tips you will be confident on what to expect when those little paws come home.
Cats are not only great pets but they are great companions. No wonder there are so many health benefits you can receive by having them around you. They help with mental health, encourage you to exercise, and can help stress and anxiety.
Know Your Breeds
If you are looking for a certain breed of cat, do a little bit of research. Cats that have great color and markings might not be the best cat for you. Depending on the breed, some cats have a lot of energy and are very loud and vocal. Depending on your living arrangements these types of cat could use some extra attention and special accomodations.
Even though there are a lot of benefits with growing up with pets. Be aware of allergies for yourself, significant others, and children. There are some cats that have been labeled as “hypoallergenic”. Do note that this doesn’t mean you won’t be allergic to them, you just have a better chance not to.
What is the best cat for first time owners?
There isn’t just one breed that is better than the rest. But these cats are great for first time owners.
- Maine Coon
- Siamese Cat
- Ragdolls
- Somali
- American Shorthair
- Burmese
- Abyssinians
Cat Adoptions
When looking for a new cat don’t forget about the shelters. There are many cats that are looking for a home that would love to go home with you. Some misconceptions are that these are wild or feral cats. While there might be a couple there, this isn’t true for all of them. There are a lot of happy, fun, loving cats that would love to meet you.
Shelters aren’t the only places to adopt cats here in Utah. Local businesses like PetSmart and Petco do weekly adoptions where they bring in a lot of cats that are looking for homes. You can also use only resources like Petfinder and KSL Classifieds to search your local area.
Prepare Your Home
When you bring home your new pet make sure your home is ready for them. Cats are curious animals and will get into everything at least once to see what it is. Doing a few things around the house will keep your cat physical and metal health in balance.
Keeping small objects and other chocking hazards off the floor is a good idea to prevent any choking. Having some areas for the cat to scratch will help save your furniture.
Check your house plants to make sure they are not poisonous to cats. Commone plants like lilies, poinsettas, and tulips are dangerous if ingested. Most cats like to chew on plants and grass and don’t know what is good and bad.
New Cat Checklist
There are multiple items that are recommended for your cat. We have this quick and easy cat checklist that will prepare you for what you’ll need.
- Cat Carrier
- Litterbox and Scoop
- Cat Litter
- Cat Food Dishes
- Cat Food
- Cat Treats
- Cat Bed
- Scratching Posts
- Cat Toys
- Collar
- ID Tag
- Nail Clippers
- Brush
- Pet First Aid Kit
- Cat Furniture (Optional)
Wellness Exam
After getting your new cat, it’s a good idea to get a wellness exam with your local veterinarian. The examination will assess the health of your new friend. These “check-ups” will ask you about maintaining their diet, their activity level, lifestyle, and if you have any health concerns.
Other areas that are inspected:
- Alertness Level
- Body Condition
- Eyes
- Ears
- Haircoat
- Heart
- Joints
- Lungs
- Mouth and Teeth
- Nose and Face
- Pulse
- Skin
- Temperature
This is a great time to get their annual vaccinations and refill any other prescriptions that are needed.
It is recommended to have your cat spayed or neutered, this is a good time to discuss this procedure with a vaterinarian. There are many health and behavior benefits for getting this done. Visit your local veterinarian about the details and any concerns you may have.
Start a Routine
When your cat has settled into your home it is a good habit to start them on a routine. Such as an eating and sleeping schedule.
Having your cat on a steady food routine will help you monitor your pet’s diet and make sure they are getting the proper nutrition.
Cats sleep a lot. Studies have shown they like to sleep up to 18 hours a day. One thing you don’t want them to do is be up when you are trying to sleep. If you have a regular sleeping routine your cat will as well.