If your kids have been silently hinting at a furry new addition to the family, why not consider gifting them with an adorable new cat or kitten? Offering you and your family companionship, comfort as well as proven health and well-being benefits, your new feline-family member will also be relatively easy to look after, and will not require as much of your attention as compared to a dog.
To prepare you for your new fur baby and to make it feel safe and welcomed into your family home, we have outlined everything you need, from litter boxes to scratching posts, before bringing your new pet home.
Stock Up On the Essentials
In the first few weeks of entering your home, your cat will need to feel comfortable settling in and exploring. Create a playful and inviting environment for them by stocking up on some of these cat essentials:
- Cat bed
- Cat toys
- Scratching post
- Litter tray
- Food and water bowls
- Carrier or crate
Placing a scratching post next to your cat’s bed or sleeping area is a good way to keep them from clawing at your furniture.
Feeding Time
Feeding your cat a nutritious diet is the best way to keep it fit and healthy. Options such as Earthborn Holistic cat food offer high-quality ingredients that are free from artificial colors, flavors or preservatives to ensure your feline friend is fed the optimum diet for its overall health and well being.
Avoid foods that are for human consumption as many of these can be toxic for cats, including ingredients such as chocolate, dairy, raw fish and grapes. To ensure you are not over or under-feeding your cat, check the recommended portion sizes on the food packaging or ask your vet how much and how often to feed your cat.
Litter Tray
When it comes to litter trays for your cat, the options can seem overwhelming. From clay, corn and clumping to recycled paper and pine pellets, it is best to choose a litter that is highly absorbent and clumping as this will make it easier to clean up.
Make sure to pour the right amount of litter into your cat’s litter tray. Excessive amounts will spill out of the tray and too little may not do the job of absorbing your cat’s waste resulting in odors in your home. As a general rule, two to three inches of cat litter is best.
The litter tray should be kept somewhere quiet and disturbance-free and should be scooped out daily and changed completely at least once a month.
Grooming
Cats can spend half their time grooming themselves. Besides looking good, they do this to regulate their body temperature, remove dirt and debris from their coat, distribute natural oils from their skin and stimulate circulation.
It’s a good idea to brush your cat’s fur two or three times a week and trim its claws as required. According to The American Humane Society, this should be about every two weeks. Many hotels are also pet friendly these days, meaning you can take your cat with you on your family travels.
Follow the tips in this article to help make your cat feel welcomed into your home.