How to Prepare for a New Cat

Cats are wonderful pets and can be a fulfilling addition to any family. Before you bring home your new pet, there is some planning and a few precautions that should be taken into consideration. These steps are especially important if this will be the first pet to join your home or if you have never had a pet cat before. Cats are curious, playful creatures who can get into almost anything. If you have ever had to baby proof or puppy proof a home, you will find this process very similar. The biggest difference with cats is their ability to get almost anywhere. Most cats will think nothing of jumping up onto the counter or table, and can often use these surfaces as a jumping point to reach even higher - to the tops of cabinets or shelves. Don't let this discourage you, however. Cats are sweet and entertaining creatures whose presence is well worth the preparations.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat bed, basket, or blanket
  • Food and water bowls
  • Cat food
  • Scratching post
  • Litter box
  • Kitty litter
  • Litter scoop
  • Cat toys
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Instructions

    • 1

      Do your best to kitty-proof your home. Consider no surface off limits. Since it will be impossible to clean off every area, focus on the basics. Secure any loose or dangling cords. Pick up small items on the floor that many be mistaken for cat toys. Clean out under the beds as best you can. Your cat will inevitably hide under there, and the less clutter, the easier it will be to find her. If you have plants around the home, make sure that they are not poisonous to cats. If they are, you may need to get rid of them as cats can climb almost anywhere.

    • 2

      Prepare a place for her to sleep. This can be especially useful with a small kitten. You don't need to invest in an expensive bed, as your new pet will probably sleep on your bed as much as she does her own. However, a small enclosed space can often be comforting for a new kitten, so a basket or box with a soft blanket in it might become her favorite napping spot.

    • 3

      Place food and water bowls on an easily cleaned surface. Some cats have a habit of pushing their food out of the bowl and onto the floor before eating it. Placing her food and water bowls in the kitchen will make cleaning up much easier. If you must place these bowls on carpet, consider putting a plastic place mat under them.

    • 4

      Select the appropriate cat food. If you are adopting a kitten, you should select food that is specially formulated for young cats. If you are bringing home an adult cat, there is food formulated for this as well. There are also special foods for indoor versus outdoor cats, older cats, and even hairball control. If your cat is already accustomed to eating a certain brand of food you should either feed her that food exclusively or gradually change her over to your cat food of choice.

    • 5

      Purchase a scratching post if your cat has claws. If your cat is not already declawed, there is no need to opt for this operation. Provided with a scratching post your cat can be taught not to ruin the furniture. Place her scratching post out in the open and take her to it every time she begins to scratch.

    • 6

      Set up her litter box. Every cat needs a litter box. This can be a simple plastic tub, or a larger covered box. If you get a litter box with a flap covering the door, it is advisable to keep the flap pulled back or remove it completely for the first few weeks so that your new cat has no trouble getting into her box. Fill the bottom of the litter box with kitty litter, and keep a scoop handy.

    • 7

      Select some cat toys. Each cat has their own favorite type of toy. Purchase a few different kinds to find out what your new pet likes best. Catnip filled mice, jingling balls, and feathers dangling from a string are good places to start. Providing your cat with her own toys will help prevent her from making toys out of your belongings.