Content
- 1. Eater and Drinker
- Cat Feeding
- 2. cat bed
- 3. Scratcher
- 4. Sandbox
- 5. Transport
- 6. Window protection
- 7. Environmental enrichment and stimulation
When we decide to adopt a cat for the first time, many questions can arise. It's normal not to know what to do when a kitten comes home, the accessories a cat needs or what kind of power it requires.
Then, in Animal Expert, we will show you the things you need to have a happy and safe cat in its new environment, or even how to act with a cat in its first days at home. Find out below how to care for and prepare the house for the first cat.
1. Eater and Drinker
Free cats perform several small meals throughout the day, therefore, our cat must have fresh water and food at your disposal for 24 hours. Containers should be located away from the toilet tray and, if possible, slightly apart from each other.
We should opt for containers that are easily washable and big enough for our cat to eat and drink without their whiskers touching the edges, as this is very irritating to them. If you notice, your cat will often only eat the food that is in the center of the eater, for the same reason.
The ideal is to opt for eaters and drinkers from stainless steel or ceramic, taking care to correctly position the latter as they could break if dropped from a high place. Of course, we will always avoid plastic containers. Also, if we want to encourage our cat to drink water, the ideal is to choose a source that attracts him, because the animal will always have running water.
Cat Feeding
Before the feline arrives at our house we should have already prepared the food that we're going to offer is one of the most fundamental things for him. Ideally, let us know what kind of food has been offered in the past and assess whether it is suitable, whether we can keep it or transition it.
For change eating habits from cat to other brands or types of food, check out the following walkthrough that will help you avoid various digestive problems:
- Start by mixing 80% of previous food with 20% of current food.
- After a few days, reduce the amount of previous food, for example, using 60% of previous food and 40% of current food.
- Follow this process proportionately for a week or two until the food you offer is (100%) new.
Choosing a good cat food is not always easy. It is important to analyze the composition in detail until you find a good quality food based on fresh ingredients. Remember that the cat is basically a carnivorous animal, so we must reject cereal-based foods.
It will also be important to choose according to age or needs of the feline. On the market we find feed for animals, adults and elderly, but also for sterilized cats, overweight or with different health problems.
You can also choose a BARF diet for your cat, however, when we talk about homemade recipes, we always recommend consulting a veterinarian to avoid nutritional deficiencies or distinct health problems.
Learn more about cat food in this other article.
2. cat bed
our furry friends can sleep until 20 hours when they are adults and, to enjoy that rest, they need a place where they feel comfortable and safe.
Depending on your cat's personality, he will have some preferences or others, but they tend to like covered places, where they feel more protected. In addition, they also look for high places where they can control everything from above.
In the market, you can find all varieties of beds and accessories for your cat, however, many times the feline will leave that precious and expensive bed for a box with a blanket inside.
The bed type "nest" is one of the essential elements for cats, especially if he lives with other animals, therefore, it will serve as a refuge, if he does not want to interact or wants to rest completely undisturbed.
In addition to the cat bed, you can offer additional resting places. Check out how to make a hammock cat bed in this video:
3. Scratcher
The accessory par excellence for cats is the scraper. It allows them, in addition to sharpen your nails, exercise and mark the territory. If we don't facilitate a scratching area, they will look for it in our sofas, curtains, furniture, etc.
If we want the cat to use the scraper, it usually needs to meet a number of requirements that all cats tend to prefer. First, it should be located in one of the main areas of the house, if you keep it hidden in a corner, your cat will look for another object to do the manicure.
In addition, it is convenient for the scratcher to be loud enough so that the cat can stretch out completely when using it, and still, it should be stable not to move when the furry jumps on him. If we choose a scratching tower (or feline residence) with various heights, this will serve as a gym and help the cat stay in shape, helping to avoid being overweight.
We want to clarify that onychotomy or removal of the phalanges (besides being illegal) is never an option. If your cat doesn't use the scraper, you can put catnip or valerian (herbs that attract cats) to encourage use, or place pieces of food or favorite toys in different parts of the scratcher.
During the cat's first days at home, avoid completelyscold him if he sharpens his nails on your furniture or sofas. They need an adjustment process and punishment, in addition to being very ineffective, can make your relationship worse.It's best to try to distract and approach your cat with the use of the elements mentioned.
Learn more about the cat scratcher in the channel's video:
4. Sandbox
On the market, we find many types of sanitary trays to choose from. Generally, the choice will depend more on our cat than on us. At closed trays are very comfortable because they prevent odors and sand from coming out, however, in some cases, our cat will reject because they tend to prefer uncovered trays.
In addition, we must ensure that the trays are low to facilitate entry and exit, and they must be located in a quiet place, without drafts and away from food and drinkers.
It's important to have it at home as many toilet trays as cats, and one more extra. In other words, if we live with two cats, the ideal is to have 3 litter boxes. If there are several cats in a small apartment, it will not always be possible to have ideal conditions. In that case, regular cleaning will be essential if we don't want them to deposit in inappropriate places.
5. Transport
Transport is a basic element to move our cat safely. Even if we don't travel with him, we will need him to go to the vet, in case of a move or in an emergency. It's a security element indispensable.
So that our cat does not have a negative view, the ideal is to leave transport available as a place to rest or eat, this way, it will be easier for him to enter when he needs to make a veterinary visit. the animal can connect the transport positively, if we leave tasty food prizes or your favorite toys in there. Using a soft blanket or pillow can also be very interesting.
For the transport to be safe and comfortable, it had better be detachable, thus, it will be easier to move it to the vet and we can clean it easily. Also, it is recommended that it be hard and plastic as they are safer in the event of a car accident and are easy to clean.
6. Window protection
Cats are naturally curious and like to investigate, explore and discover new odors. If we live in an apartment, we must protect our windows because falls are much more frequent than we think. Parachute cat syndrome is an example of this.
Our cat is not going to jump into space without a reason, but it may try to chase something or simply trip and fall, so it's better take precautions. The placement of a mosquito net does not work, as these are not strong enough, we must opt for a specific mesh for these cases that we can find in many pet stores, making sure to install it properly.
7. Environmental enrichment and stimulation
Last but not least, it is essential to talk about the enrichment that a feline requires, as well as its physical and mental stimulation. All this will affect your emotional well-being and will avoid behavioral problems.
Environmental enrichment for cats consists of different factors that will provide a better quality of life, we are talking about visual or olfactory stimuli, for example. The use of catnip, catwalks and cat structures are an example of this.
Our interaction is also important as the game allows them to socialize and exercise. Remember that cats don't have fun playing alone, so take time each day to perform game sessions with it it can be very beneficial to stimulate you. We can use intelligence toys, food dispenser toys, fishing rods or simply a massage and relaxation session. Find out how to play with a cat in this very complete article.
Although cats are more independent than dogs, don't forget that they are animals. very sociable and they need to relate to be happy. Spend time with your furry friend and offer the best quality of life possible.