Owning a cat for the first time is quite overwhelming and exciting.
From the things you need to prepare as they grow, to everything they need them to thrive. Still, a cat is one of the most popular and cuddly pets you can have at home.
However, not everyone is prepared enough to accept a new addition to the family.
In this article, if you are a first-time cat owner, we’ll give you plenty of things to keep in mind and some of the best cat treats for kittens that they will probably like and become fond of as they grow and become your new best friend.
Important Reminders Before Getting a Cat
Before you consider getting a cat, you should prioritize the environment you will be giving to your fur baby.
However, most cats thrive alone or with a group or even with other kinds of pets, but their personalities might vary from the surroundings they live in.
Here are some of the important and must-have things you need to consider before getting a cat.
Are you at work a lot?
That is because cats need attention a lot. They are often awake 9 to 10 hours a day, and they need various stimulation. Just like how dogs are treated, they often need long walks, and cats need some “you and me time” as well.
They will need regular exercises, cuddles, and something that will get their attention. All of these are needed as they need human interaction to stay socially fit and healthy. Are you away a lot?
Do you have kids at home?
Some cats don’t get along well with children. If you are getting a cat for your children to interact with, you should be responsible for taking care of them. Make sure they have their own space when they interact with each other and keep a watchful eye all the time.
Are there other pets at home?
If you have other pets at home, do you think they will accept your cat? Or is there a chance they won’t get along?
Adding a new cat to your family might be hard for them to accept, and some pets don’t get adjusted to new additions easily. still, there are plenty of ways to introduce your new cat to the entire family. One way of doing that is surfing the web for the combination of pets you have and finding ideas for how you can easily have them interact with each other.
Do you have the proper resources for the cat to thrive in?
You can’t simply add a new cat to your family and make them adjust to your environment that easily. Owning a cat isn’t as simple as you think. You need to provide them with the best of your capabilities to make them thrive and be healthy.
From maintaining their hygiene, feeding them, bathing them, and many more. Are you up to the task? You should be able to take them to vet visits and provide care when they are ill. Other bills such as deworming, tick and lice prevention, and other grooming activities should also be provided.
Do you rent?
Some landlords aren’t too friendly when it comes to having pets in their vicinity. Before getting a pet cat, you should ask your landlord or policies whether it is acceptable to own a cat on their premises.
Having cats means walls will be inevitably damaged from scratching and other kinds of stuff. Before this happens, make sure everything is prevented.
Basic Supplies Need for a First Time Cat Owner
Whether they will need a comfortable home or the best cat treats for kittens, there are some important and basic supplies every cat needs at home. Listed below are some of the basic supplies for a first-time cat owner.
- Litter Box
Some cats like to take nature’s call privately. Still, it varies from cat to cat, so it is best to provide them with a litter box to make them feel at home and easily adapt to its surrounding.
- Food Bowls
Buy two; one for the food and the other one for the water. Ensure that whenever you feed your cat, you put them in their respective bowls. This will help them easily be accustomed to what you are doing.
- Food
Although most cats love dry food, it is good for their health to mix and match dry and wet food. And if you plan on training your cats, ensure you have some of the best cat treats for kittens available for reward.
- Brush
Brushing it daily will help in keeping the shedding at a minimum. This is partly useful when you have allergies to cat hair.
- Collar
Just like with dogs, a collar is a sign that someone owns a pet. Go for something that can be latched on and has bells on it. Cats tend to play hide and seek at home. Having those bells will help you find them easily.
- Shampoo
Who loves a smelly cat? No one, right? Owning a cat means you are tasked to bathe them regularly. Although shampoos for humans are okay, just pick a shampoo that is specifically for cats. Also, introduce your cat to water in a smoother way rather than splashing them directly.
- Leash and Harness
If you love the outdoors and plans on walking your cat with you, I suggest you buy a harness and leash. As mentioned earlier, go for collars that can be latched with a leash on. Walking your cat is a win-win situation; you both get to exercise, and it makes you occupied for a short period of time.
- Toys
Keeping your cat entertained should also be your top priority. Keeping them occupied with toys is a great sign of being able to adapt to your environment easily. You don’t need lots of toys; one or two will do the trick.
- Scratching post
Clawing is one of the traits most often do. Provide a scratching post. In this way, they will feel comforted and makes them healthy. It also discourages your cat from clawing on furniture and other home amenities.
- Carrier
If you find yourself constantly traveling from one destination to the other, having a cat carrier is a must. Introduce a carrier to your cat in a smooth transition, rather than inserting them directly.
This will cause discomfort to your cat. To do this, take the door off when you are at home and let them in. In this way, your cat gets accustomed to the carrier and will provide comfort for long trips.
- A Catio
If you have space in your yard, garden or balcony, then you should really consider a catio. A catio is an outdoor cat enclosure that enables your cat to explore outside and play in the fresh air, protected from predators.
It also prevents your cat from killing local wildlife, getting run over, lost or otherwise injured. There are many catio benefits, including providing healthy environmental enrichment for your pet.
-> Check out our favorite catio kits for more info.
Training Tips
Here are some of the training tips that would be useful so your cat can adjust easily.
- Scratching post
If you want to introduce your cat to a scratching post, put some catnip on the post and rub it all the way through. Then place their paws on the post and make a scratching motion. In this way, you can introduce the post and prevent the risk of scratching any of your furniture.
Litter training. Be patient, and everything takes time. Every cat reacts differently to a litter box. It may take a few times before they get accustomed to it.
- Be patient
Don’t rush things. Everything takes time, from introducing them to carriers or the best cat treats for kittens or litter box training. It may usually take a few weeks or even months before your pet cat gets accustomed to the environment they are in.
Conclusion
From bathing them, grooming them, or giving them the best cat treats for kittens, owning a cat is a tedious job but a rewarding one.
Cats are some of the best pets to have in your home, and they provide relief when days are tiring, and they can be cuddly in all sorts.
Still, before owning a cat, you must have all the right knowledge to be a good fur parent, and that starts from you.
