For novice cat owners, deciding to raise a cat must be a big decision, and they are ready to take on the responsibility of the cat for life. However, what to do and what to prepare before taking the kitten to the new home may be the most troublesome thing for cat owners. Let's take a detailed look at what you need to prepare before raising a cat. My fate with my cat started in 2019. Now it has lived with me for five years. I think I can introduce you to the beginner's guide to raising a cat.
1. Psychological preparation before getting a cat
I think you must have made a great decision to raise a cat, and you must like cats very much. So I hope you can fully understand cats. For example, cats' eating habits and daily habits. Many people do not know that cats are carnivores and will feed them human food. I can understand the good intentions of these people, but cats' eating habits are really very different from those of humans. There are also cats' work and rest habits. Cats are dozing most of the time, but they will patrol their territory at night. Sometimes overly active cats will affect human sleep. And they need human companionship and interaction. Economically, cats need cat food, cat litter and toys, and they also need to reserve some medical budget for cat vaccinations, deworming and sterilization. I hope you can be fully prepared mentally, have a financial budget, and have enough time to accompany your cat before raising it. The most important thing is whether there is enough space for cats to move around, after all, some landlords do not allow cats.
2. Cat essentials
I think if you love cats, you must be thinking about buying daily necessities for your cat in advance. So what essential items should you buy for your cat before your kitten arrives home? Let me introduce them to you.
(1) Cat Food Niche
- Cat Food๏ผYou should prepare cat food for your cat in advance that is suitable for its growth stage, has balanced nutritional ingredients, and has a good reputation. You can buy professional kitten food or adult cat food on Amazon. High-quality staple food is recommended.
- Cat canned food/freeze-dried๏ผIt can be used as a snack or nutritional supplement, but it cannot be used as a staple food for cats.
- Cat drinking Bowl๏ผFlowing water dispensers are more likely to attract cats to drink water, prevent urinary system diseases, and be sure to separate the food bowl, water bowl and litter box.
- Pet Feeder๏ผChoose a durable, non-tippable bowl. Choose a stainless steel or ceramic bowl to avoid plastic bowls that may cause acne on your cat's chin. You can also choose an automatic feeder.
(2) Cat Living Supplies
- Cat Litter Box๏ผIt can be closed or open, depending on the cat's habits. If the budget is sufficient, you can also consider an electric litter box. After the cat arrives home, it should be trained to go to the toilet in the litter box, otherwise it will be difficult to correct the habit of urinating and defecating randomly; the litter box is best placed in a quiet, hidden, and well-ventilated place, taking care of the cat's privacy while ensuring a certain degree of hygiene.
- Cat Litter Pellets๏ผBentonite, tofu litter, and pine wood litter each have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the deodorizing effect and agglomeration properties need to be considered. I recommend tofu cat litter because it can be directly introduced into the toilet. If your toilet hole is relatively small, it is recommended to throw it into the trash can.
- Cat Scratcher๏ผTo prevent cats from scratching furniture, you can choose cardboard, hemp rope or cloth. These materials are more resistant to friction and durable. Providing cats with scratching posts can not only sharpen their claws, but also stretch and exercise their muscles, consume their excess energy, and prevent them from destroying the house. In addition, using toys to interact with cats can also enhance the relationship between people and cats.
- Cat Beds๏ผIn winter, you need a warm plush cat bed, preferably a semi-enclosed one, which can not only prevent wind but also give the cat a sense of security. In summer, you need a breathable and thin cat mat to give the cat a comfortable resting area.
(3) Cat Health Care
- Cat comb๏ผCats shed their hair most of the year. Although they can be supplemented with fish oil, shedding is a normal part of their lives. You can use a comb to help your cat remove loose hair so that it doesn't fly around. It is recommended to use a regular comb for short-haired cats, while long-haired cats need a pin comb or a depilatory comb.
- Cat nail clippers๏ผWe need to trim the cat's nails regularly to prevent them from scratching themselves or damaging furniture. Be careful not to cut the blood line of the cat's nails. It is best to trim the cat's nails in a well-lit place. You can also choose a cat nail clipper with a light.
- Cat ear cleaning solution: Kittens are easily infected with mites or Malassezia, which will cause more ear secretions and scratching around the ears due to itching, causing skin damage. We can clean the ears regularly to prevent ear mite infection.
(4) Cat Entertainment
- Cat teasers: can promote interaction and exercise cats' reaction ability. It can also increase cats' exercise and keep them in good shape. Cats who are too obese can cause many health problems and even risk heart disease.
- Cat tunnels/climbing frames: cats like to climb to high places by nature. This is the nature of cats.Satisfy cats' climbing needs and provide space for playing and hiding.
- Smart toys: If the owner needs to work outside for a long time, some smart toys can also be considered. For example, automatic rotating balls and electronic cat teasers allow cats to play when the owner is not around.
3. Home environment preparation
- Remove poisonous plants: If you have plants at home, you should consider whether they are toxic to cats. Some common plants that are toxic to cats include aloe, lily, baby's breath, iris and ivy. You can move these plants to high places or rooms that cats can't enter. Most household chemicals commonly used in life are toxic to cats, such as detergents, pesticides and car fluids. Put all chemicals in high places or cabinets where kittens can't reach.
- Seal off dangerous areas: Seal windows and balconies to prevent cats from falling from high places.
- Wire management: Check if there are some potential dangers in the house, such as hanging ropes, exposed wires, knickknacks, rubber bands, paper clips and other small items that may pose a danger to cats and kittens. Organize wires to avoid cats chewing and causing electric shock.
- Clean up fragile items: Prevent cats from tipping over when jumping and being cut by debris.
4.Things to pay attention to when raising a cat
- Adapt to a new environment: Every cat that is bought home for the first time should be informed of the cat's physical health in a timely manner. First, check whether the cat's facial features are normal (the ears should be clean and dry; the eyes should be clean and bright, the third eyelid should not protrude, and the nose should be moist; the teeth should be white, the gums should not be inflamed, and the mouth should be pink.); then go to the doctor for a comprehensive examination, including various vital signs, whether there are infectious diseases and genetic diseases, and whether deworming has been done, etc.
- Identification tags such as collars, identification tags or microchips: The identification tags should have the cat's name and some contact information of the owner. This way, the owner can be contacted as soon as the cat is lost and picked up by others;
- Establish a fixed routine: feed at a fixed point, clean the cat litter regularly, and develop good habits.
- Regular deworming and vaccination: Follow veterinary advice to ensure the health of cats. Vaccination plays a vital role in protecting cats from infectious diseases (feline plague, feline rhinotracheitis, rabies, etc.). They may be infected by the environment, other pets, and even humans. Kittens can be vaccinated at 2 to 3 months old. If the vaccine is given too early, it may not work properly. If it is given too late, they may be susceptible to infection. Deworming is an indispensable and important part of cat health care. Even newborn kittens may be infected with these harmful parasites from their mothers. If deworming is not done in time, it will cause problems such as malnutrition and a weak immune system in cats, and even provide opportunities for other diseases to occur. Therefore, deworming is very important for cat health. Therefore, it is necessary to deworm cats regularly. Common external parasites: fleas, ear mites, ticks, etc.; internal parasites: roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, heartworms, toxoplasma, etc.
- Pay attention to the health of cats: If the cat has a decreased appetite and is listless, it should be treated in time. This may be a cold or it may be that the cat has eaten something it shouldn't have eaten.
5. Conclusion
Raising a cat is a process that requires patience and responsibility. Being well prepared can make your life with your cat more harmonious. I hope this guide can help novice cat owners to smoothly welcome their new family members and enjoy a good time with their cats.
