Congratulations on bringing home a new family member! With all the fun and excitement a new cat brings, it is easy to fall short in being fully prepared. Here is a list of basic items that will help make your cat’s transition period as smooth as possible.
Food and Water Dish:
In general, stainless steel dishes are the best option. Stainless steel
Make sure you and your pet are prepared for any emergency by following these tips:
Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit.
Food
Keep at least three days’ worth of food in an airtight, waterproof container
Water
Store at least three days’ worth of water specifically for your pets, in addition to the water you need for yourself and your family
Feline enrichment is a great way to reduce your cat’s stress and boredom. Like puzzles do for us, feline enrichment offers your cat the opportunity to exercise her brain while also having fun.
Feline enrichment can help with a wide variety of behavioral issues including destruction, inter-cat aggression, escaping, retreating to isolation,
Adopting a new cat or dog is an exciting day for any family or individual. Along with the excitement comes the responsibility of caring for your new companion for the duration of his or her life. In addition to providing all of the basic supplies that your companion animal needs to live, you can also help keep your pet safe by having it wear an
Like babies, kittens are not born understanding the world and how to behave. It is up to us to help them flourish and develop into friendly and confident companions. Well-socialized kittens are more likely to grow up to be friendly and social adult cats who are easy to handle.
The best time to socialize a kitten is from 2 to 7 weeks of age. This
What you need:
Leash training a cat is different from leash training a dog and therefore requires different equipment. Make sure you use equipment that is specifically designed for cats.
YES: a well-fitted cat harness
NO: a small dog harness
YES: A lightweight, nylon or cloth leash
NO: chain leashes, flexi-type leashes
Leash Training
Step 1:
Signs of Stress
In addition to hiding, cats who are stressed might over-groom, meow excessively, pace and seem restless, and even hiss. Do not punish your cat for these behaviors! It is unlikely to stop the behaviors; in fact, it will probably only stress your cat more and cause the behaviors to intensify. It may also cause the cat to be
All pets make mistakes. However, sometimes these mistakes can lead to further errors if they are not cleaned up properly.
Machine-washable items:
Add one one-pound box of baking soda to your regular detergent and wash the items as normal.
If this does not work, try washing the items again with enzymatic cleaner.
Enzymatic cleaners work well in
For some pet parents, a trip is never complete without their favorite feline companion. Traveling, however, can be highly stressful for some pets. With some basic supplies and careful preparation, you can make your trip safe and happy for everyone involved.
Make sure your pet is safe and secure in a well-ventilated, appropriately-sized crate or
When a cat is declawed, the nail and part of the cat’s toes are amputated. This surgical process can be very painful for your cat and could permanently alter your cat’s behavior. Declawing your cat is not a necessary procedure and there are ways to live harmoniously with your cat and her claws.
Scratching is a normal and necessary behavior for
Before bringing home your new feline friend, make sure your home is prepared for your new cat’s curiosity.
Keep toxic foods and other items that may be harmful to your cat’s health in cabinets or other areas your cat cannot get into. For more information about foods and plants that are toxic to your pet, please see our Toxic Food and Plants
If you are expecting a baby, you have probably heard of toxoplasmosis. Since the disease can be transmitted via contact with cat feces, many pregnant women are told to lower their risk by giving away their cat or by putting their cat outside. Neither is necessary. Rather than resorting to extreme and unnecessary measures, taking the time to gain a
It is very possible that during the course of your animal’s lifetime, he or she may be injured in a way that requires immediate assistance. You may also encounter a stray animal who is hurt. When a situation like this arises, it is important to be well-informed.
NOTE: The information provided here is very basic. Even though first aid is temporary
Like all animals, kittens do not grow into adult cats overnight. Rather, they go through a series of developmental stages as they mature. Learning about these stages and what happens in them will help you better care for your kitten(s).
0-2 weeks: Neonatal
Orient towards sound
Eyes begin to open, usually by 2 weeks
Uncoordinated
Neonatal
Rabies is a preventable viral disease that affects mammals and is usually transmitted to people through a bite or scratch from an infected animal. The virus attacks the nervous system, and by the time that visible signs appear, the disease is usually fatal.
Over the last 100 years, rabies incidents in the United States have changed dramatically.
The following plants can be toxic to cats if ingested. If you think your pet may have ingested any of the plants on this list, contact your veterinarian immediately or seek emergency medical care.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435
Aconite
Acorns
Aloe
Angle Trumpet
Arrowgrasses
Asparagus Fern
Atropa Crocus
Azalea
Baby
Cats and carriers often do not get along. For many cats, being in a carrier means that unpleasant things are coming such as a trip to the vet. However, with a few positive interactions at home, your cat can become acclimated to his carrier in no time.
Start by leaving the carrier out and open. Allow your cat to explore the carrier on his own
Cats often need time to acclimate to their new surroundings. When bringing a new cat home, it is important to remember that she is going to need time and assistance to feel comfortable in her new environment.
Provide a small, quiet place for your cat to get acclimated, such as a spare bedroom or bathroom. Ideally the room will be equipped with
Clicker training is a positive reinforcement method of training. Studies have shown that animals respond best when an action is followed by a reward. The animal is therefore more likely to perform an action if they believe it will be followed by something good, such as a tasty treat. In clicker training, the clicker makes a sound and marks the
Play time is critical for a cat’s wellbeing. Play provides physical and mental stimulation, teaches them important skills, prevents behavioral problems, helps adopted cats bond to a new family, and helps shy cats come out of their shells. There’s actually a lot of important stuff going on while your cat is having fun!
The average adult cat needs
Is your cat waking you at 2 a.m.? At the crack of dawn does he or she race from one end of the house to the other or demand that you get out of bed and feed her NOW? You are not alone. Here are a few tips to help both you and your feline friend get a little more shut eye at night.
Health Check. If your cat usually sleeps through the night and is
Cats are for the most part social animals that enjoy our company. They are also pretty smart. Put those two facts together, and suddenly you have a cat that quickly learns how to make you heed his call. Responding to your cat’s pleas for attention isn’t always a bad thing. However, if your cat always seems to want to play every time you are on the
If you think it’s cruel to keep your cat indoors, think again. Cats who are let outside are faced with a multitude of risks and more likely to die prematurely than those kept inside. Rather than letting your cat fend for herself on a daily basis, make her part of your family inside. As a responsible pet owner, it is your duty to provide your pet
First impressions between pets are just as important as they are between people. By providing a slow and steady introduction, the result can be rewarding for both your feline companions. Here are a few tips and precautionary steps to help make cat-cat introductions pleasant for everyone involved.
Keep the cats separate at first. House the new cat
Dogs and cats can make wonderful companions for each other. A dog grooming a cat’s head or a cat snuggled against a dog can be some of the most “Aww!”-inducing sights for any pet owner. Care must be taken when introducing a dog to a cat, however; these are two different species with different ways of communicating and interacting with others.