You’ve scoured the internet, researched pet listings and visited your local shelter in search of the perfect furry companion. Now, you’ve finally found a kitty to adopt and love on Maybe you’ve even picked out a name already. At this point, you probably feel adequately prepared to welcome your new friend into your life, but there are a few more things you must do before bringing them home.
Purchase a Carrier
Some animal shelters and humane societies provide a cardboard box to keep your cat in on the ride home, but you shouldn’t count on it. Plan ahead and minimize stress on adoption day by purchasing a cat carrier. Choose a durable, well-ventilated model that’s more secure and comfortable for your new furry friend. You can even reuse it to tote them to future vet appointments. Just remember to pick one that’s big enough to accommodate them as they grow.
Maintain the Litter Box
One of the benefits of having a cat is that they can use a litter box instead of going outside. However, you’ll still have to scoop their poop on the daily, much like you would a dog. Remove clumps daily to minimize odor and ensure a clean space for your pet. Dump the litter, wash the box and refill it once or twice a month to prevent buildup, too. If it gets too dirty, your cat might choose less discreet places to relieve themselves.
Replace Toxic Houseplants
Houseplants can brighten your living space, clean the air and even reduce anxiety and depression. However, some of the prettiest varieties are also the most deadly to cats. While they may be beautiful, peace lilies, monsteras, pothos, English ivy, aloe vera and snake plants are highly toxic to your kitty. If they took a nibble, curiosity could very much kill the cat. Rid your home of these plants and replace them with feline-friendly ones like thyme, lemongrass and, of course, catnip.
Provide a Scratching Post
In the wild, cats scratch trees and bark to mark their territory and remove old material from their claws. Inside, they’re more likely to use your leather couch or wood table leg. Keep your cat from clawing your furniture by placing scratching posts around your home. Divert their attention by applying catnip to the post or simply placing their paws on it. These tricks reinforce good behavior and prevent them from tearing up your carpet, furnishings and walls.
Brush Regularly
Most cats keep themselves relatively clean and rarely need a bath. However, all kitties could use a helping hand in the grooming department, especially if they’re older or overweight. Keep their coat clean, stimulate blood circulation and minimize hairballs by brushing your feline friend on a regular basis. Doing so will also reduce shedding so you don’t have to sweep and lint roll so often. Plus, their coat will have less dirt and dust in it, which can relieve allergies.
Keep It Indoors
If you want your beloved kitty with you as long as possible, keep it inside. Free-roaming cats live an average of three years, while indoor cats live 12 to 18 years. Outdoor animals face many more risks, including traffic, catfights and parasites, all of which can shorten their lifespan and ruin their quality of life. Carnivores like coyotes, wolves and even owls prey on cats, too. Protect them from predators and accidents by using a leash if you do go outside.
Buy Wet Food, Too
In nature, cats get most of their water from prey like birds and mice and, when they do drink, they’ll avoid stagnant water. These natural instincts will deter your kitty from lapping at their bowl, even if you change the water every day. Luckily, you can supplement their diet with wet food. Feeding them canned food will ensure proper hydration and add some variety to their diet. Mix wet and dry food or feed them both kinds each day to keep them happy and healthy.
Spay or Neuter
Spaying or neutering your cat is key to domesticating your pet. Spaying females, especially before the first heat, prevents uterine infections and cancers while neutering males eliminates the chance of testicular cancer and reduces prostate problems. This simple procedure is relatively affordable and should be completed between the age of four and five months. Most shelters will perform these surgeries around week eight out so you don’t have to worry about it, but it doesn’t hurt to inquire about it.
Visiting Your Vet
If you do all of the above, your kitty is bound to enjoy a long and happy life. However, it’s still important to schedule a yearly vet appointment to ensure they’re in good mental and physical health. Write down any questions you might have before you go and be sure to mention any strange behaviors or symptoms to help your vet detect potential problems. With a little preventative care and lots of love, your feline will provide plenty of companionship for many years to come. Also make sure to find and get the best cat insurance for your little one.
About The Author
Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find herin a yoga class, advocating for body positivity, whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, or smashing the patriarchy.