Tips for a New Cat Owner

[JazzySteph]

Hey, I'm new to this board, but I've always been a fan of this website! Anyways, I am thinking of getting a cat sometime in the next few months. I moved into an apartment about 6 months ago, leaving my dog with my parents who I miss TERRIBLY!!!

I want to do this right. I truly understand the responsibility of having a pet which is why I definitely ruled out having a dog in a small apartment. I've always grown up having dogs, so a cat is new experience for me. I'd most likely get a cat from an animal shelter, and I was wondering if any of you could maybe give me some ideas,suggestions, or anything you think a new cat owner should know. I want to be responsible about this so any information will help!

Thank you!!!

[slick]

Welcome to Pet Talk. I'm from BC Canada.

I think you've made a wise choice in not getting a dog. Do you work? Will you be gone from the apt all day? I also applaud you for getting a rescue kitty. My next kitty will be a Heinz-57 rescue.

It is written that humans do not pick the pet.....the pet will pick the human and I believe that to be true.

In your spare time and while researching breeds and their temperments, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do I care if there is cat hair all over the place all the time?
2. Do I value my furniture more than a cat?
3. Do I care that I can never wear black again, unless I get a black kitty?

All joking aside, if you are willing to put up cat hair and a few scratches on the furniture, then a kitty is for you.

Depending on your lifestyle, you need to decide on a older cat or a young one. I live alone and my lifestyle is very quiet and I don't have the patience (now that I'm **ahem** mature) to train kittens so I prefer to adopt a kitty who is at least 8 years old. Besides, they are the ones who are always saddly passed over.

Visit as many shelters and local rescue organizations as possible and don't choose the first one you see. Read the bio on each one very carefully and ask questions. You will eventually meet "the one".....the one that pulls on your heartstrings. He/She will look into your eyes and you'll just know. Trust me on this one.

You will also need to prepare your home. Some things you will need are:
- a good scratch post....or two....or three
- convenient place for the litterbox....preferrably not right by the dining room table...
- a place where kitty can hide....perhaps leave a closet door open with a comfortable bed in there. It gives kitty a safe place...
- lots of cat beds
- lots of cat toys
- not to mention the litterbox, pooper scooper etc
- lots of cat treats, if allowed

Some kitties are on special diets so check that out as well. You may need to buy special food at the vet, but usually one of the better brands of food is recommended.

Oh yes and if you are gone at work all day, you might want to consider adopting two kitties to keep each other company. Some rescues have littermates or two best friends that they want to adopt together.

I'm sure others will chime in here and I'm sure I've forgotten lots of stuff to mention, but it's the end of my workday and I have a very hungry feline waiting for me.

Good luck and again, welcome to Pet Talk.

[caffeitina]

Hi Jazzy
A shelter or rescue cat is definitely the way to go. But don't just adopt any old cat. Spend some time with all the kitties there and adopt the one who seems to choose you, one who seems to relate well to you and you to him/her (Like, when I adopted my Howard three years ago, I picked him because he climbed up my leg and purred loudly...and he's been the BEST cat. I couldn't have made a better choice!).

Good luck and let us all know what happens and tell us about the new kitty when you've adopted him (or her).

[Randi]

I agree with what Slick and Caffeitina said, but also, think plan what you're going to do when you go on vacation... do you have anyone to look after your cat, or will you need to put him/her in a kitty hotel?

Concerning food, I'd give the cat food you buy at the vet, that is the most healthy and may prevent your cat from getting sick in the long run.

When you get the cat, make sure you have lots of time to be with her/him, especially to begin with.

Good luck finding the one/two for you!

[KitCat]

Cats are very smart and trainable, so don't let the kitties fool you! My cat sits, stays, walks on a leash and does tricks.

Don't let the cat train you! I set strict feeding times so my cat doesn't think if he wakes me up early he'll be fed.

When I first got my cat, he didn't want to be picked up and now he begs to be picked up and hugged and he loves belly rubs. Start with affection on their own terms and go a bit further each time.

Have a great time with your new pet!

[JazzySteph]

Thanks for the all the advice so far everyone it is GREAT!

I am full time student so I'm usually home to study and for a good chunk of time during the day. I'm thinking about getting maybe a kitten or a younger cat. I just have some weird questions....

Do you have to train cats to use a litter box? If so, how?

I know this sounds dumb but I've always grown up with puppies, and I'm not sure if cats just automatically know where to go or if you have to teach them?

Also I worry about things like electrical cords or things cats can get into. I have a friend who's cat can find his way into cupboards on top of the fridge everything!

What do you do to make your home a safe place for a cat?

One more question..

I am new to this area and I don't know really anyone with pets, how do I go about locating a good vet?

I know thats a lot of questions!! I'm probably over paranoid, but I guess thats a good thing. Thank you all so much for being so helpful already!

[KitCat]

If the cat is young, confine it in a small area untill it "gets" how to use the litter box. If it's an adult, show it the box.

If you "baby proof" your home, that works for a cat. I put all my breakables out of reach.

My cat hates to go in the car, so I chose my vet by picking the closest one. It turns out she is great, luckily!

Ask all the questions you want! Answering questions and helping people be better pet owners is what this site is all about.

[kittycats_delight]

most cats are litter trained by their mamma as kittens. I brought home my Vixen at 5 weeks old and never had a problem. I simply put her in the litter box about 15 minutes after I brought her home and she started digging and did a peepee. She wasn't very good at covering at first but she was doing it like a pro by the time she was 7 weeks old. From the very first day she was home she has always used the box well. This has been the case with all my cats. I just took in a 8 month old stray with 4 babies and the mamma used the box the first time and has used it ever since. I didn't need to show her a thing and she has had no accidents either.

Think of your cat as a baby. If you plan like you are baby proofing you will be fine.

I would ask around at the shelters if they could suggest a good vet. They should at least be able to send you in the right direction. Don't be afraid to find a different vet either if you are not pleased with anything about them.

Good Luck and keep us updated.

[cassiesmom]

Cassie Cat moved in with me when she was 1 1/2. She's 10 now. At first I kept the litter box in the living room corner diagonally across from the television, because she was hiding underneath the sofa. After awhile I put a second box in the bedroom. She eventually stopped using the one in the living room altogether, and now we just have the one in the bedroom. I've heard it said that you should have the same number of litter boxes as you have cats, plus one; but Cassie has just the one, and that works for her.

Have a camera ready - especially if you adopt a kitten; they grow up so fast! (Plus, Pet Talkers NEVER get tired of looking at photos!)

Welcome, kitty!

[lenquiltr]

Hi JazzySteph,
I'm new to the website, too and have a 4 year old black shorthair (neutered male), Cricket, who a friend found crying in a vacant lot when he was so young his eyes were still blue! I fell in love, and brought him home, even though I had never had a cat before!

He was a scruffy, tiny little thing and seemed to like to sleep in my sandal. Although he was very small, he managed to find his litter box very quickly as we were able to be with him a great deal at the beginning.

At a friend's recommendation, we have always fed him a very high quality cat food and his coat is marvelous and glossy! He grew beyond everyone's expectations and now weighs almost 15 lbs. The vet says he is a magnificent specimen! I say he's just darn handsome.

Most of my friends are cat people and now tease me a great deal about being a dog person who loves cats! Cricket is a wonderful pet who keeps my feet warm at night during the long cold Minnesota winters!

With all the good advice on this board, you just can't lose! Keep us informed!

Cricket's Mom