Things to know before adopting a cat

If you want a furry friend around the home, a cat might be just what you’re looking for. Suitable for busy people with tight schedules, cats are the perfect independent little cuteness balls that can give you love and affection. 

But there are a few things to consider before adopting a cat. This blog post will get into detail about it. 

Entertainment and commodity

Cats love hunting, playing, and running around. So, it’s essential to make your home a cat-friendly space where your feline friend can jump around, play, sleep, and spend time. Mice toys, balls, feathers, cat trees, and hanging toys are some of your options.

Scratching is also integral to their natural behavior, as they need to sharpen their nails. You would need at least a few scratching surfaces, toys, or posts. Otherwise, your couch will get the better of it. 

Next, it’s the no-brainer – you would need a few bowls of cat food, fresh water, and a litter box. Make sure that the size of the bowls is appropriate for the size of your cat. Also, spend some time “litter-box training” your cat. Even though most cats learn this behavior from their mothers, your cat may need some time to adjust and use the box properly. 

Last but not least, ensure that your cat has all the necessary equipment needed if they are to go outside. In this case, you would need a collar, an ID tag with all the vital information, and a harness for your walks. 

Veterinary care

Like all other animals, cats need regular health examinations and routine check-ups. So, you should familiarize yourself with the veterinary clinics near you, their working hours, and the services they provide. This will minimize the risk of losing precious time if an emergency arises. 

Veterinary costs include vaccinations, preventive treatments, and spay and neutering. Even though most shelters are mandated to perform some of these procedures, it is still a good idea to know exactly what procedures are done and which ones are left for you to cover. 

Spaying and neutering are the best options to prevent an increase in unwanted cats that end up in animal shelters. They will also save you from agitated cat behavior during mating seasons. 

Dietary needs

A good, healthy diet with a lot of nutritional value is crucial for the health and longevity of your cat. So, before adopting a cat, go over your feeding options, and decide the type of food you prefer for your feline friend. 

While kittens need to have 3 to 4 smaller meals throughout the day, adult cats should be fed once or twice a day. 

Cats are prone to overeating, so make sure you make the proper dosages of food. Freeze-dried cat treats are an excellent substitute for their constant food meowing. Mellow Premium offers two types of all-natural, organic, and additives-free cat treats. One cat treat is made of Minnows, while the other is Salmon. 

Grooming

The last part to consider before adopting a cat is the aspect of regular grooming. Cats are more manageable than dogs because they lick and clean themselves regularly. Nonetheless, you would need grooming tools like a brush or a comb to take care of their shedding. 

Trimming nails, on the other hand, is your responsibility. Cats scratch surfaces to trim and sharpen their nails, but indoor cats don’t need sharp nails. If you don’t take care of it, you’ll be in for furniture tears and playful hand scratches. You can either train yourself to trim their nails or go to a grooming salon where professionals will take care of the process. 

Ending Words

Having a cat is a beautiful experience. With lots of fun, petting, and purring, you are in for a great relationship if you decide to adopt a cat. But before doing so, you need to consider the aspects we provided in this blog post.