One of the most exciting steps in cat ownership is the moment you bring home your new fluffy bundle of joy. Whether you are lucky enough to get a kitten or a sassy cat, it is some important to be prepared. Bringing home a cat involves a few steps to make the transition easy for everyone. Plus, your cat will thank you!
Bringing Home a Cat
Let them relax in a hiding spot: Cats love a favourite spot where they can feel safe, especially when they are still weary of their new surroundings. Creating areas for your new cat to hide out by moving your couch out from the wall a few inches or pulling your bed covers down until they hit the floor is ideal so your cat can enjoy some alone time.
Stock up on kitty yummies: Pick up a few necessary items prior to introducing your cat to his or her new home, but don’t go overboard as you’ll want to learn your cat’s personality and preferences. It’s important to have wet and dry food options, along with separate food and water bowls, to set up an eating station. It can take a week or so to get an idea of your cat’s eating habits, so don’t rush it!
Privacy is important: Everyone in the family deserves a little privacy and your cat is no different! Make sure you place the litter box in a quiet spot and away from your cat’s eating station. A litter box lined with 3-4 inches of Arm & Hammer ™ Clump & Seal ™ litter is a must have for a 7-day odour-free home—guaranteed. If you have more than one cat, remember the rule is one box per cat.
Lighten the load: Your groceries are heavy enough to load out of the car, now Arm & Hammer ™ Clump & Seal™ LightWeight litter contains the same amount of uses as our regular clumping litter, at half the weight, so you won’t need to worry about lugging heavy litter around with you.
Be ready for playtime: Having different types of toys on hand is a great way to engage with your cat and determine his or her play habits. A scratching post is also essential—cats need to wear down their nails, so be sure to have this in place or your furniture will see the result.
Quality time matters: In the beginning, visit with your cat frequently but for short periods of time. Visiting can mean interacting directly with your new cat in the form of play or petting, or quietly reading a book or chatting on the telephone in the same space as your new companion.
Jo-Anne Pfoh says
wonderful advice ty for sharing you are such a wise meowy person
Susan T. says
We just tried the Lightweight litter and it is great. It really is super light and no dust either! The cats seem to like it too.
loucheryl says
I have always had cats, even as a child, and I just love your list. The best thing for them, in the beginning, is to feel safe and loved. Give them lots of time to adjust to their new surroundings and they will be fine. 🙂