So you’ve been scrolling through pages of cute furry faces on Cat Haven, or you’ve been bingeing funny cat videos on tik tok, or maybe you’ve fallen in love with a friend’s cat and decided you just can’t go on without having a cute, furry, purry, little critter of your own.
That is completely understandable. You have been captivated by the wonder of cats, a totally normal and completely indulgeable desire, that will lead you to a path of years if happiness and fulfilment, as long as you put in the time to ensure find out what to know before adopting a cat, to ensure everything is smooth and stress free for both you and your new best friend.
Adopting a cat is usually simple and straightforward, especially if you take note of the following tips, tricks and information to make sure you are totally armed with the right knowledge, equipment and no how.
Things to Consider Before Adopting A Cat/Kitten
As Benjamin Franklin once said, by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. Those curled whiskers, adorable foot beans and mesmerising green eyes are irresistible, but before jumping in and signing your name and life on that dotted line, it’s probably best to “paws” for a moment and consider the following.
1. Long term Responsibility:
Adopting a cat is a big decision. Your cat, with the right care and love, can potentially be with you for the next 20 years. That’s 20 years of care, vet bills, food, play, and working around travel plans. While most people agree that cats are more independent and require less overall care than dogs, there is still a substantial amount of work and commitment that you need to be able to provide to ensure you are doing the right thing by your new, completely dependent on you, cat.
2. Living Space:
Where will your cat sleep? Eat? Poop? Play? Cat’s can be very happy indoors, even in small apartments, but you need to know how you will provide for their needs. Firstly, do you have a good spot to locate the litter tray? Or will Kitty be using the dining room when guests are over for dinner? Will kitty be able to explore, roam, climb, scratch, hide and sleep in your living space? Will kitty have access to the outdoors, and if so, how will they enter and exit the house? The physical features of your living space are important, and when bringing in a cat you need to spend some time thinking about whether your space is going to be able to provide its basic needs.
3. Financial Responsibility:
If you have been checking out pet stores, breeders or cat havens, you are probably already familiar with the upfront fees of adopting a cat – adoption fee, microchipping, neutering, vaccinations, and registrations will all have to be paid before taking your new kitty home. But how about the ongoing costs? Weekly food, yearly vaccinations, paying sitters to look after your cat while you are away, the cost of kitty litter, new toys, and emergency vet bills will all have to be accounted for – for the next 20 years! Taking on a cat means ensuring you have the financial stability and responsibility to do the right thing by them and provide for their needs.
4. Time and Attention Required:
Many people think that cats are independent creatures who don’t require a lot of attention. While it is generally true that they are less dependent than other pets, such as dogs, domestic cats do have a need for companionship and interaction with their human friends. Some cat breeds are particularly known for their affectionate and social natures. To prevent depression in indoor cats, ensure your pet receives adequate attention and playful interactions, as lack of stimulation or companionship can lead to anxiety or depressive behaviours. As well as their mental health needs, you will also need to do daily tasks such as feeding, grooming and cleaning out their kitty litter to ensure cat’s are physically healthy too.
5. Health and Veterinary Care:
After the initial round of vaccinations, microchipping and neutering, your cat will require regular visits to the vet to keep up their vaccination and worming schedules. If you are going to allow your cat to roam outdoors freely, you may also need to be prepared for emergency vet bills if your cat gets into a fight or has a run-in with a vehicle. It’s also vital that cats allowed to roam are up to date with all their vaccinations. Encounters with other cats and animals can expose them to infectious conditions and diseases, which will require veterinary assistance.
6. Training and Socialization:
Cat’s are clever creatures with very particular elimination behaviours that make them a great pet to live alongside with. However, it’s essential to ensure you have the time and opportunity to introduce your kitten or cat to toilet training to avoid any accidents or long-term bad habits (like choosing the corner of the room in the house as the peeing spot). Kittens also need a lot of time playing and socialising with you and other pets in the house to develop that trusting bond. While cats have a reputation for being aloof, if you put in the time when they are kittens, they become very sociable and caring and will be much more enjoyable pets.
7. Cat Proofing a house:
Just like having a new baby, you need to scan your house for any potential dangers to ensure your new cats or kittens are safe in your care. Some common things to look out for are toxic plants, chemicals or cleaning products, small objects that can be swallowed or dangling curtain cords that can cause strangulation. Another thing to consider is using cat netting for balcony areas or open windows to prevent your cat from falling or having an outdoor cat enclosure where your cat can safely explore the outdoors without the risk of getting lost or injured.
8. Pedigree or Moggy?
Pedigree cats can come with potential health and medical issues due to selective breeding. Moggy cats, on the other hand, tend to be healthier and genetically sturdier as there is no inbreeding. When looking for purebreds or pedigrees, you may want to check out the reputation of the breeders, as some unscrupulous people breed cats for profit but don’t consider the welfare of their cats a priority. With pedigree cats, you may also have more control in selecting the behaviours and personalities of the breed.
8. Indoors or outdoors?
This is probably a decision best made before you bring the kitty home. While introducing an indoor cat to the great outdoors is usually pretty hassle free, trying to make a free roaming cat an indoor cat can present a few challenges as they may constantly try to escape or cry to be let out. If you want to allow your cat to go outdoors, consider getting an outdoor cat enclosure to avoid risks of free roaming.
9. Major life changes ahead?
Have you got anything major planned in the few months after you intend to adopt your cat? If so, you may want to postpone your plans or postpone your adoption. It’s important to give your new cat plenty of time to adapt to their new environment, build a loving and trusting relationship with you, and feel safe and happy in their new home without the stress or anxiety that sudden changes can create for them.
10. Understand Cat Behavior and Body Language:
Cats communicate through body language, vocalisations, and actions, and understanding their behaviour can help you meet their needs effectively. For instance, a slow blink often indicates affection, while a flicking tail may suggest annoyance. Understanding these cues can enhance your relationship and prevent common issues, such as cat scratching or spraying. Knowledge of feline behaviour can also make training easier, as cats respond well to positive reinforcement.
11. Evaluate Your Family and Lifestyle Needs:
Adopting a cat is a household commitment. Consider whether your family is ready for a pet, especially if you have young children or other pets. Some cats may not tolerate the presence of dogs or other cats, while others can adapt well if introduced properly. Be mindful of allergies within your household, as cat allergies are common and could significantly impact your experience.
What should I buy before adopting a cat?
Fortunately, cats are pretty uncomplicated creatures, and you should be able to get by with just a few items to get them set up in your home. As cats are creatures of habit, you really want to make sure you get everything set up and ready to go before they arrive so you can start introducing them to a new routine as soon as possible. You’ll also want to allow them to explore their new environment and have some fun and loving interactions with you so they feel safe and bonded as soon as possible. You can always add new things later, but these items are probably all you need to get started.
- Crate or pet carrier – You’ll need this to get your cat home in the car safely. You may be able to borrow one from the breeder or agency you are getting your cat from. The crate will also make the drive a lot less stressful for your new cat.
- Food and food bowls – A food and water bowl for each cat is vital, and maybe a spare can be used while the other is in the washing up. Usually, your breeder or pet supplier will know which food your cat prefers, and you should have at least a week’s worth ready to go. It’s best not to hit the kitty with too many changes to begin with, so stick to their current dietary preference and you can always try changing it up later when they are more settled.
- Cat bed – Cat’s usually sleep in lots of places around the house, but having a cosy sleeping bed can be a great way of giving your new cat a bit of security as they settle into their new place.
- Litter tray – This is probably the most important thing to have ready to go, as toilet training will start immediately on having your new cat in the house. Your breeder or pet supplier may already have a tray and substrate that your cat is used to, and to reduce stress and confusion, it can be a good idea to get the same one for your home, Otherwise, just ensuring you have one tray per cat, a scoop for daily cleaning, some bags to dispose of the waste, and some spare substrate to refill the tray are all important investments.
- Toys for play – Not vital, but they can be a good way of enticing your cat into a bit of play which will help build your new relationship. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, a good supply of cardboard boxes and some ping pong balls to bat around should keep kitty pretty entertained.
- Scratching posts – Scratching is a natural cat behaviour, so anticipating this and providing some cat scratching posts is a good idea as they may otherwise find their own, and it could be your couch!
- Flea and worming treatments – hopefully, these have already been started by your pet supplier, but as these treatments are ongoing it’s a great idea to have these stocked up and ready to go so you can continue the treatments as necessary.
- Grooming tools – Not essential, but many cats love a good brush. As well as getting rid of excess fur, it can be a great way of building trust and love between you and your cat.
Conclusion
Adaptable, independent, chilled out, playful, quiet, snuggly, and super clean freaks – it’s no wonder 33% of pet owners in Australia have cats. Whether you live in an inner-city apartment or have a big backyard in the suburbs, cats are often a pet owner’s first choice when looking for a sweetly companionable and low-maintenance pet. However, despite their self-sufficient appearance, cats rely on us completely for their health, safety, and happiness. So, understanding their behaviour and providing them with consistent food, water, security, affection, and enrichment is a core responsibility of every cat owner.
One of the best ways to ensure a safe and stimulating environment for your cat is by considering an outdoor enclosure. Roaming freely outdoors puts cats at risk from vehicles, predators, and infections and can harm local wildlife. An outdoor cat enclosure allows your cat to enjoy the benefits of fresh air and sunlight safely, offering mental stimulation and reducing anxiety. With over 50 five-star Google reviews and 3 years of experience, Kitty-Safe provides professional installations and exceptional customer service and is the number-one choice for cat netting enclosures in Perth. So, if you care about your cat’s safety and their physical and mental wellbeing, give us a call today, or get in touch through our contact form for a free consultation and quote.
FAQs
What is the best age for adopting a cat?
Kittens need a lot of time and care, but if you have the time and space adopting a kitten can be an amazing and rewarding experience. But an older cat can be a great choice for older people or people with busier lifestyles as they will usually already be trained and comfortable around people.
How long does it take for a cat to adjust to a new owner?
It depends on the cat, but the 3-3-3 rule provides a good guideline. 3 days to let your cat settle into their new environment; 3 weeks to get used to the daily routine of the home; 3 months to feel “at home”.
When can I let my cat outside?
The recommendation for kittens is that they shouldn’t be left outside alone until they are at least 6 months old. For newly adopted older cats, it’s recommended that they be kept inside for at least 2-3 weeks so that they can feel settled in their new environment and safe in their new relationship with you.
What to know about cats before adopting?
You should know that they need time to settle in, they can be fussy eaters, they are often early morning risers, they are independent but they still need companionship, play and stimulation, and that every cat is different and you should take the time to get to know and understand your cat and their unique needs.
Do cats make good pets?
Low maintenance, quiet, affordable, easy to toilet train, independent but also loving, affectionate and playful, and able to adapt to all sized homes – cats make excellent pets.
