kitten

There are so many great things about owning cats. They are loving, loyal, fun and great companions. They are also (usually) one of the easier pets to own. Finding the right cat for you does not have to be hard but does involve a bit of preparation. Here we will take you through the basics of how to adopt a cat.

Think About Your Needs

What are you looking for in a cat? There are lots of questions to think about and talk over with your family other than just what color you want. Here are a few of the main questions to ask:

–Do you want to adopt a kitten or an older cat? Both have advantages and disadvantages. Kittens are cute, little and adorable. They also have a ton of energy which can be a good or a bad thing depending on your lifestyle. Older cats usually come litter box trained and can be a chill companion. After we got married my husband and I went looking for two kittens. We got a 3 year old bonded pair that were an amazing pair.

–Would you be willing to adopt a senior cat or one with some health issues? Senior cats can be amazing companions. They are obviously older so they MAY have health issues sooner. But they might not. Sometimes they are in the shelter longer so they are even happier to live a great life in your house.

–Do you want one cat or maybe a bonded pair? If you already have pets or a busy house then a single cat may be the right answer. But, if you are bring home your first pet then maybe you want to bring home to. A bonded pair can keep each other company if you work a lot or add double the extra fun to your house.

Find a Shelter

ASPCA and petfinder are both great places to start your shelter search. Which shelters are the closest and which have available pets are probably the two biggest factors in picking a shelter. Two questions to ask are what is included in the adoption fee and where do the cats come from. Adoption fees may include spay/neuter, follow up care or microchipping. Some of the sources for shelter cats include transports, animal control and people giving up their pets.

Pick The Perfect Cat

If you can then go visit the cats! Or if they are in a foster home check them out on the web. See which one will be a good fit but do not forget that the cats will be a little shy at first. The shelter staff (or foster parents) may be able to give you some insight into their personality! Be sure to ask any questions you have but remember they may not have been at the shelter very long so they may not have a ton of information on the cats.

Prep For Your New Friend

First make sure you and your family are ready to adopt a cat. If you have kids let them know your cat or cats will be coming soon. Also, make sure you have a little more time the first few days to spend with your new cat. Buy some cat essentials including a box, litter and a few toys. Make sure to find out what food the shelter or foster has been giving them so that you can have some on hand.

Give Your Cat Time To Adjust

Your cat will need to decompress once she gets to your home. Make sure to give her places to hide and room and space to come out and visit when she is ready. Spraying some calming cat pheromones in the carrier or diffusing them in an area she will be in can also help ease the transition. In the end she may just need time to adjust to her sorroundings especially if you have other cats.

What’s Next?

Once they are settled in enjoy your new addition! I am sure your new pet will enjoy being in your home as much as you enjoy them being there.

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Congrats on your new cat! Whether it is your first cat or you are a veteran you are going to have so much fun. Here is our list of the basics, plus a few fun things, you will need for your new friend.

Food and Treats

The best place to start in deciding what cat food to feed your new cat is what they are currently eating. Ask the current owner, the shelter or the foster where the cat lives what they eat and buy a medium amount of that. Often shelters are sponsored by a cat food company and will have free samples or coupons for the food too.

That said, my go to new cat food is science diet adult kibble. It is tasty, has high nutrition and is pretty easy on cat tummys. Once you have started a food you may need to adjust if your new cat isn’t tolerating the food you give her. This is also a great topic for your vet! Make sure to ask about the best food for your cat (or cats if you already have one or are adopting multiple) because they can guide you in this as well.

You will also want to grab a pack of cat treats. They are great for rewarding good behavior or just giving your friend an extra treats. My cats like the catnip flavored temptations treats but will pretty much eat any type.

Litter and a Box

As a general rule you want one litter box per cat. Some cats like covered litter boxes but honestly have never had a cat who liked one. Your best bet is to go for a very basic litter box. Another option that people like are disposable litter boxes. These can be used alone or in conjunction with a standard litter box and this can be a way to make cleaning easier.

I always choose the same litter, tidy cats instant action, no matter whether we have one cat in the cat or several. It is relatively low dust and clumps well. It is also often on sale! So that you do not make my mistake please avoid store brand litter. My husband likes a good deal and has tried both the Jewel and Marianos/ Kroger brand and both were really dusty and my cats actually hated them (and I really didn’t know cats could hate litter). Don’t forget to grab yourself a scooper and you are all set.

Cat Carrier

If you are adopting your cat from a shelter they will probably give you a “cat box” so you will not immediately need a separate carrier. You will eventually want a better, easier to handle and comfier for your cat carrier. We have always had a soft sided carrier and our cats have always been happy. I also recommend getting a Feliway cat pheromone spray. Spraying it can help calm your cat down while they are in transit.

Places to Hide

Cats love to hide away and when they get to their new house they will definitely want to find a few places they can run away and hide. My first bonded pair used to love to hide in the the shelves in my closet. My current kittens love their cat condo. Covered cat beds are also a great option for your cats to hang out in and feel secure. They come in all shapes and colors to match your furniture or there are fun unicorn and shark beds too. Also, be sure to keep the “Cat box” because that may become one of their favorite places to hide out.

Places to Climb

You probably have curtains or a big piece of furniture but that is probably not your first choice for your new cat to climb! Cat condos are a great option and can also double as a scratcher and place to hide. Cat climbers are also a great option to give your cat a safe place to climb.

Things to Play With

Cats are naturally very playful but having a few toys around will give them some ideas of what to play. Balls and catnip toys are great options or you can grab a cat toy sampler pack and see what your new cat chooses.

What Next?

Have fun with your new cat. Be sure to tell us your favorite cat products in the comments or just tell us all about your cat!