A comprehensive guide to raising cats from start to finish

Although cats enjoy spending time with their owners and children and love to participate in some games, sometimes they may choose not to seek refuge in their own place or safe corner. However, it may take some time for them to adjust to the new family. In fact, getting a cat as a pet is a big and important decision in your life and the life of the cat you host in your home. Whether you are thinking about getting a cat soon or have recently brought a new cat into your home, you may find this article helpful.

Tips for owning cats:

Prepare cat supplies:

 One of the most important things to prepare before bringing a cat home is a litter box, as it helps the cat feel comfortable and helps you keep the house clean after training it to use it. It is also recommended to buy cat food and some milk, in addition to a special pet shampoo to avoid using products that may harm its skin.

It is also useful to have special scissors to trim cats' nails, and a sterilizer to get rid of parasites such as fleas. In addition, you can provide a comfortable pillow or a small bed for the cat to sleep on if desired, as cats tend to sleep in unexpected places. Don't forget to buy some of the cats' favorite toys such as wool balls or laser lights that they love to chase.

Prepare a safe room or corner for the cat: 

Allocate a safe place in the house for the cat to feel comfortable and safe, especially in the first days of its arrival home.

Dedicating a room to a cat does not mean that the house should have an entire room of its own. It could be just a small closet, a corner isolated with a net, or even an infrequently used bathroom. The important thing is that the cat has a special place where it feels safe and considers it its own, so that it can isolate itself from others when it wants to.

PREPARING A HOME FOR THE CAT

Although cats enjoy spending time with their owners and children and love to play with them, it may take some time to adjust to the new family. The cat may choose not to resort to its own place sometimes, but it will need a period to get used to the new environment. There is no specific time for cats to adapt to their new homes. It may take two days, a month, or even more. It is best to avoid forcing the cat to interact with the people in the house and let it choose the appropriate time for that on its own.

Preparing your home for a cat can be a bit like securing it for a toddler. This means taking precautions to ensure that there are no items that could be dangerous to your cat, such as making sure your cat cannot access cleaning products or chemicals that could harm her, and keeping clothes, shoes, cosmetics, and medications in safe places such as tightly closed drawers.

It may take some special equipment to secure kitchen and bedroom cabinets, but you need to be patient and think from your cat’s perspective to anticipate where she might try to open or jump on them. It’s also important to remove sharp objects that could hurt your cat or others, such as moving the knife rack off the kitchen counter and placing sharp objects in a closed drawer that your cat can’t reach.

Preparing your home to be cat-safe can be a bit like securing it for a toddler who is just starting to move around. This means making sure to remove any items that could be dangerous to your cat, such as chemicals and cleaning products, and storing clothes, shoes, lotions, and medications in safe places such as locked drawers. You may need to purchase equipment to secure kitchen and bedroom cabinets, and think like a cat to anticipate where they might try to reach or jump. Additionally, it is important to keep sharp objects such as knives out of the way and in locked drawers to keep your cat and your home safe.

Visiting the vet:

The first visit to the vet is very important, as it helps assess the cat's health and physical condition. During this visit, the cat will receive the necessary vaccinations to protect it and the family members from diseases that may be transmitted from cats. The vet can also ensure that the cat is free of dangerous viruses such as HIV and leukemia virus.

In addition, the vet may suggest that the cat be sterilized if it is appropriate for her. It is worth noting that the declawing process, despite its prevalence, is considered inhumane, so it is preferable to avoid it, especially since the cat needs its claws in its daily life and to defend itself in certain situations.

Knowing the right food for cats

It is essential to know the right food that cats should eat to maintain their health and provide them with the necessary nutrients to ensure a long and comfortable life. Therefore, cat owners should know the types of foods intended for these animals and get used to reading their ingredients carefully, and look for the beneficial elements that the cat needs.

Although cats descend from desert breeds, they need to drink water. Therefore, it is preferable not to forget to provide the cat with water daily, especially if its food consists of dried foods.

Adjusting the cat to using the litter box

Training the cat to use the litter box or dirt may take several months, but cats are intelligent creatures and can adapt easily. Don't count on your cat to relieve itself outside, even if it goes out on its own sometimes. The goal is to establish habits that will make you comfortable in the future. If you can accustom your cat to using the litter box, you won't have to worry about bad odors in the house later.

Getting your cat used to sleeping in its own bed

As mentioned in the first tip of this article, it is essential to prepare a special bed for the cat. If you would rather not wake up to find your cat sleeping in your bed or sharing a bed with one of your children, it is best to get it used to sleeping in its own bed from the first day it arrives home. On the other hand, some people prefer to have their cats sleep with them in the bed, in which case it may be easier to get the cat used to it.

Playing with cats

Playing with cats is an essential part of raising these animals, as it helps strengthen their bond with their owners and increases their physical activity. Playing is also a great way to stimulate your cat's mind and release its energy.

A variety of toys can be used to attract cats' attention, such as wool balls, toys with feathers, or even laser lights that cats enjoy trying to catch. Make sure to set aside time daily to play with your cat, as this will help her be happy and healthy.

In addition, playing can help reduce unwanted behaviors, such as scratching or biting, as the cat feels relaxed and happy.