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If you’ve never had a cat before, then you may not know what it takes to care for one. Bringing a new kitty home requires more than just having some food and toys. Cats are playful and exciting to have around, but they can also be messy if not properly cared for. It’s best to prepare yourself before your new pet arrives. Here are eight tips and tricks on how to prepare your house for a kitty.
1. Prepare the Right Food for a New Kitty
Some cats are rather picky when it comes to food. For this reason, you should have a few options for your new pet to choose from. If you’re adopting a kitten, you should start with wet food that’s specifically made for its age. Also, have a few flavors in case the animal doesn’t like some of them. If you’re bringing home a big cat, you should have even more options because adults are almost always picky. Make sure to pay attention to how old the animal is and whether the food of your choice fits its needs.
2. Buy Some Cat Toys
Cats love playing and enjoy doing it for hours. You should prepare a few toys for your new pet so that it has something to play with. There are many options on the market when it comes to toys. Most cats love fake mice and feathers. Little bells and balls are also popular cat toy choices. Toys help the cat to stay entertained. It’s something you shouldn’t overlook because a bored kitty can wreck your place within minutes.
3. Learn to Deal with Pet Hair
Cat hair isn’t the same as dog hair. Your kitty will leave short and sharp hairs on your furniture, bedsheets, clothes, and all other areas of your home. The hair can be very difficult to get rid of. Long hairs are somewhat easier to deal with. However, if you have a Persian cat, you have to learn how to brush its fur daily to keep the hairs under control.
Also, you might want to consider getting a lint roller. These are sticky and ideal for removing pet hair from your clothes. Some people choose to groom their cats, but, keep in mind that bathing or grooming cats isn’t as simple as grooming dogs.
4. Prepare the Litter Box
Some cats love going outside when nature calls. However, most pet owners aren’t comfortable with letting their kitties go out because of all the things that can happen. That’s why most pet parents teach their cats to go inside. For this, you need to prepare a litter box. Indoor cats are just as healthy and playful as those that go outside. But, you shouldn’t bring a new cat home before you prepare the litter box. Make sure you also have a backup bag of litter.
5. Find the Best Vacuum
As we already mentioned, cat hair is persistent and stubborn. Soon you’ll have a full house of pet hair to deal with. For this reason, you should try to vacuum twice a week. Cat hair won’t be your only problem. You’ll also need the best vacuum for kitty litter to deal with any messes. Make sure to double-check if the vacuum you’re interested in can pick up litter. Some pet vacuums are great for pet hair but cannot pick up the large litter pieces. Look for a vacuum with a powerful suction and adjustable height settings. It should have at least a few pet accessories and a reliable filtration to trap all the fine hairs and dander.
6. Give the Cat a Place to Hide
Cats love nooks and crannies and will often look for a place to isolate themselves. Now, you may think that there’s no such place in your house, but rest assured that the cat will find it. In most cases, this means you’ll find your pet in drawers, cabinets, boxes, closets, and other similarly dark and remote places. You can also make some places for your new kitty. Use an old box and cut out the doors so that the animal can enter. Then, place some old towels in there. If you’re feeling fancy, you can get a specifically made kitty hideaway box.
7. Prepare Flea Treatments, Collars, and Vitamins
If you’re adopting a kitten, your pet was likely cleaned of fleas and parasites. However, if you’ve found it in the street, that may not be the case. It would be best if you took the cat to a vet. In most cases, your vet will advise you on flea treatments and vitamins you should get for your new pet. All pets should also have a collar and tag so if it becomes lost, someone can return the animal to you.
8. Show the Cat What’s Not Allowed
Many people let their new cats explore and do whatever they want at first. While you should let the animal become comfortable, you should also set some rules right away. Do you want the cat to sleep in your bed? If not, you stick to your decision. If you let the animal sleep in your bed a few times, you’ll find it more challenging to forbid it later on. Plus, you’ll confuse the pet by allowing and disallowing the same thing. Cats are naturally curious. For this reason, you may find your kitty sleeping on the kitchen counter or a bookshelf. If you don’t like this, chase the animal off so that it knows that you’re not happy with that.
Getting a new kitty is an exciting time! If you follow these simple 8 tips, you’ll be ready to bring home your new cat.
