Decided on keeping a cat and can't wait to take it home? Well, it can really be an exciting moment for everyone in the family and bringing home a new kitty can be really fun! That is if you get yourself prepared in order to have thing going smoothly.
Here is a checklist of things that you can do to help ease the transition for you and your new feline family member.
1.
First and foremost, especially if you are a first time cat owner, it is wise to read up as much as possible on how to care for cats, especially so if you were to bring home a kitten.
Kitten needs more care compared to an adult cat and you must be prepared to spend more time on them.
Check out the local bookstores and library and you would be able to find tons of information on cat care.
You may also like to check with the local shelter and ask for advices on proper cat care.
If there are kids in the house as well, make sure that you read up on that too to ensure that they can get along and that they can join you in caring for the feline companion.
2.
The first thing that you need to do when you bring home your kitty is to fix an appointment for a health care checkup to make sure that you kitty does not have any health problem.
Fleas is also a concern and you wouldn't want to infest your home with fleas brought back home along with you kitty.
So look out for a veterinarian, preferably one that has a clinic or practicing in a local veterinary hospital.
It's important to look for one that you feel comfortable with because he or she is going to be your partner to help you care for your cat.
3.
Cats and kittens are inquisitive animals by nature and they are often curious about things around them.
Keep all medications, sharp objects, out of reach for them.
Certain plants like lilies, English Ivy are toxic to cats.
Make sure you remove them before introducing your cat or kitten into the house.
4.
Food for your cat or kitten.
There is a wide choice of cat food in the market and choosing one that is suitable may be a daunting task to many cat owners, not to mention a first time cat owner.
To be safe, start off with the more reliable brands that your vet can recommend.
Also, the nutritional requirement of kittens is different from those of adult cats.
Choose one that is appropriate for your kitten or cat.
5.
With the arrival of your new companion, you would need to get some essential equipment or things ready for them.
You would need to get a scratching post for you cat so that the furniture around your house would be spared from the frequent scratching of your cat.
A litter box and cat litter for them to eliminate, feed dishes, a sleeping bed, some grooming tools like combs, nail clippers etc.
And of course, some toys for it as well! And don't forget the cat carrier so that you can use it to transport your cat home or for visits to the vet.
With these things taken care of, you are now ready to have some fun with your new found companion.
Enjoy!