By Janet McAfee
Congratulations! You are the new proud owner of a cat or kitten from a shelter and are excited about selecting a name and having fun times with your new feline. With good care, an indoor cat has a life expectancy of 20 years or more. Whether you previously owned a cat, or this is your first one, here are things to do to ensure success.
Unlike dogs, most cats hate to travel in cars. Most shelters and rescues will supply a secure carrier for the trip home, but make sure to bring one if needed. Never travel with a cat loose in the car. They can become very stressed, panic, cause an accident, or escape when you open the car door.
Make sure all windows are carefully screened. My friend Christine couldn’t find her cat one day but heard loud meowing; Verity had escaped out a window open just a few inches and was pacing out on the balcony. Cats new to a home have been known to run out an open door when humans come and go, so be careful!
Be prepared to keep your cat INDOORS. Previously articles have discussed the serious dangers of having an outdoor cat, including being hit by a car and running off never to be found again. To ensure a comfortable transition, have a room in your home designated as his place prepared with litter box, food, water and cat toys. Let him explore that small area, sniff your things and investigate all the hiding places.
Wait for your new cat to make the first overtures and let him sniff you to get acquainted. Let the cat sniff the back of your hand. Once he becomes comfortable, scratch him and scratch him under the chin and behind the ears.
Over the new few days, slowly introduce the cat to the rest of the house, including the other pets and human residents. If you have other cats and you are not sure the newcomer is cat friendly, exchange items with their scent first and let them smell each other. Feed the resident cat and the newcomer on each side of the door, helping them associate something enjoyable with each other. Swap sleeping beds and blankets. Eventually you can bring the newcomer inside his carrier and set it near the other cats so they can safely meet.
You can also switch living areas. Move your cat or group of cats into the newcomer’s room and carefully transfer the new kitty to explore the rest of the house. This allows the newcomer to become familiar with her new surroundings without being frightened by the other animals.
Avoid fearful or aggressive meetings. If theis type of response occur, they become habits difficult to change later. It’s usually best to introduce your pets to each other gradually. If either animal becomes fearful or aggressive, separate them, and start over with the introduction process in small steps.
Cats are naturally fastidious, and most will instinctively use the litter box. For some, you may need to place them in the box and make little scratching motions with their front paws, so they get the idea. You should clean the box daily or at least several times a week. These creatures value privacy, so place the box in a convenient but secluded place. A weekly brushing is a pleasurable experience for most cats.
Cats vary in terms of the amount of human interaction they want, so let him guide you. Hang out during mealtimes; sit on the floor nearby while he enjoys his food. Play with cat toys including the popular one with a fake mouse at the end of a long wire.
Cats can be independent, but some basic training will help him adapt to your home. Yelling at an animal never works! Positive reinforcement works best. If he scratches the furniture, a squirt with a handy water bottle to his lower body (not his face) will usually prevent this. Provide him with a cat tree for climbing and to satisfy his scratching impulses.
Have fun with your new feline. Ping pong balls and empty cardboard boxes provide endless fun. A perch by the window will allow him to happily survey the outside. Soon you will be curled up on the couch watching television together and you won’t remember what life was like before.
