Tips for First Time Cat Owners

August 8^th is International Cat Day, so if you’ve been thinking about bringing a cat into your home, now is a perfect time! A cat (or any pet) is a long-term commitment, so make sure you’re ready and able to take care of all the cat’s needs before adopting or purchasing one.

If you’ve never had the privilege of a feline roommate before (or even if you have!), there is a lot you need to know to properly care for your cat and ensure she lives a happy, healthy life.

What You Need to Know About Cat Food

All cat food is not the same. Just like humans have the option to eat a quality diet or junk food, the same options are available for cats. Feeding a well-balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do for your cat’s health.

Many premium, nutritionally-balanced foods are available, and, just like with human food, choosing quality options starts with reading the labels.

Here are some things to look for:

A named protein source as the first ingredient. (I.E., chicken or salmon rather than just meat.)
Meets AAFCO’s requirements for “Complete and Balanced.”
Avoid foods with by-products, added sugars, BHA, BHT, or cornmeal as a filler.

If you’re still overwhelmed, talk to your vet about which food is the best choice for your cat.

What You Need to Know About Litter Boxes

The good news is that most cats take to the litter box quickly. It usually won’t take much more than showing them the litter box for them to start using it. When the cat first arrives at your home, set them in the litter box. In most cases, it’s as easy as that!

Once they are using the litter box, keeping it clean is an absolute must. A cat may not use a dirty litter box, and once they stop using it, it can be difficult to get them to use it again. Scoop the box at least once a day. Once a week or so, empty and clean the entire litter box. Use a mild detergent so as not to irritate your cat’s skin.

If you have more than one cat, it’s best to have multiple boxes.

If you’re not excited about the prospect of daily scooping, some automated litter boxes do most of the work for you. They can be pricey but will significantly reduce your litterbox workload, so many cat owners find them to be well worth the investment.

What You Need to Know About Healthcare

Vet care is another consideration when bringing a cat into your home. Generally, you’ll want to have a routine exam once per year, at which time the cat will have her vaccinations. As the cat ages, the vet may recommend twice-annual visits.

Another healthcare consideration is flea and heartworm prevention. In most parts of the country, this is incredibly important to the health of your cat. Several flea prevention options are available, including topicals, collars, and chewable tablets.

Products like Revolution for Cats protect from both heartworms and fleas. It’s a good idea to discuss the options with your vet.

In addition to routine expenses, accidents or illness are other things you need to think about and plan for when you own a cat. Some pet owners opt for pet insurance to help take care of these unexpected expenses.

What You Need to Know About Scratching and Declawing

Cats ARE going to scratch. It’s natural to them, and it helps them stretch and exercise their muscles. You cannot train scratching out of a cat, and you shouldn’t even if you could. Instead, you can teach them to redirect their scratching to an appropriate place. The best way to do this is by providing scratching posts in all the areas where your cat spends time. A kitty condo often has a built-in scratching post and the added benefit of giving your pet a place to hide and climb.

As for keeping your cats from scratching furniture, products such as plastic protectors, no-scratch sprays, sticky pads, or double-sided tape prevent damage to your furniture. Another option to stop the damage from scratching is to apply claw covers. These soft covers are not painful to your cat. You can apply them yourself, but many pet owners prefer to have the vet do it—especially if the cat is particularly squirmy.

A word about declawing:

Declawing is not a solution to scratching, and it is so potentially harmful that the practice is banned in 20 countries and several U.S. cities. Declawing isn’t just clipping the cat’s nails. It’s more like cutting off a finger at the knuckle. Potential complications and side effects include back pain, tissue death, lameness, infection, refusing to use the litterbox, paw pain, and behavior changes.

What You Need to Know About Grooming

How much grooming your cat requires depends on the type and length of the coat. Long-haired cats need more attention in order to prevent matting, but even short-haired cats benefit from brushing.

As a general rule, you’ll want to groom a medium- or long-haired cat daily and about once a week for short-haired cats. All you’ll need to groom your cat is a brush or comb. If you’d like, you can also purchase pet wipes that keep your pet smelling fresh and clean.

The benefits of regular brushing and combing your cat include:

Hairball Prevention
Promoting a Healthy Coat
Gives Owners the Chance to Check for Fleas
Prevents Matting
Helps You Bond with Your Cat

What You Need to Know About Fun

Kittens and cats love toys! Give them a variety of toys they can enjoy on their own and toys that foster interaction between the two of you. It may take a bit of trial and error to find the toys your cat likes best, but make sure they have a variety to keep them stimulated and prevent boredom. Here are a few of our favorites: