Let's set up a newly adopted cat!
The first thing you're going to want to know when adopting a cat: It has no clue it is being adopted! All they know is that you're a stranger and you're bringing them into a completely unfamiliar enviroment! Every person is different; so is every cat. With that in mind, lets get started!
Materials needed:
- Litter Materials
- Litter Box
- Litter Scoop
- Litter Sand (preferably clumping, but any is fine!)
- Litter Mat
- Food/Water Materials
- Bowls/Containers (anything that is small and low around your house is fine)
- Low water bowl
- Food:
- For Kittens: Wet food and/or small dry food pebbles
- For Grown Cats: Dry food and/or wet food
- ***Please be aware that every cat is different, they have preferences. If one food is not working, don't be afraid to try another!***
- Bed and/or Blankets
- Toys!
- Be careful with small kittens as they may try to eat the smaller toys.
- Cat Scratchers
A Small Space
It is super important to have a small space for a cat. Before it comes into a new environment, it needs to know it can trust you first. This room should preferably be tile, as cats sometimes struggle in new environments. Try to keep the cat inside for at least 4-5 days. When introducing the cat to the rest of the house, simply leave the door open and allow it to explore for itself.
It is super important to have a small space for a cat. Before it comes into a new environment, it needs to know it can trust you first. This room should preferably be tile, as cats sometimes struggle in new environments. Try to keep the cat inside for at least 4-5 days. When introducing the cat to the rest of the house, simply leave the door open and allow it to explore for itself.
Building Trust
It takes time to build trust with cats, they need to see that you are not a threat and that they are safe. This is particularly easier with kittens because they have very little perception of the world. When they cat is in the small room, come in slowly and do not approach it first. Allow them to come to you and get used to your scent. If you cat is not coming to after a couple of days (and they are not overly hostile) offer them your hand, and they will see this as an invitation to meet you.
Older cats are typically sweet creatures, it just takes a little more time to build a relationship with them. Older cats usually have been in a home before or have spent their life in a shelter. It may take them a few days to get comfortable, but when they do, they are the sweetest creatures ever :)
It takes time to build trust with cats, they need to see that you are not a threat and that they are safe. This is particularly easier with kittens because they have very little perception of the world. When they cat is in the small room, come in slowly and do not approach it first. Allow them to come to you and get used to your scent. If you cat is not coming to after a couple of days (and they are not overly hostile) offer them your hand, and they will see this as an invitation to meet you.
Older cats are typically sweet creatures, it just takes a little more time to build a relationship with them. Older cats usually have been in a home before or have spent their life in a shelter. It may take them a few days to get comfortable, but when they do, they are the sweetest creatures ever :)
Litter Set Up
Cat litter can be super intimidating to people, but it is actually a great thing! Unlike a few other pets, cats are able to take themselves to the bathroom quite easily. When setting up a cat litter, you're going to want to ensure the box is low enough so the cat can get in but high enough so the litter doesn't come out. It may also be useful to have a mat under the litter to prevent litter from falling out.
Litter Training
Cats (primarily kittens) don't always know how to use the litter. Place your cat gently in the litter and move their front paws front and back in a digging motion. When cats use the bathroom, they usually cover their passings after they finish.
Cat litter can be super intimidating to people, but it is actually a great thing! Unlike a few other pets, cats are able to take themselves to the bathroom quite easily. When setting up a cat litter, you're going to want to ensure the box is low enough so the cat can get in but high enough so the litter doesn't come out. It may also be useful to have a mat under the litter to prevent litter from falling out.
Litter Training
Cats (primarily kittens) don't always know how to use the litter. Place your cat gently in the litter and move their front paws front and back in a digging motion. When cats use the bathroom, they usually cover their passings after they finish.
Play Time
Play time can be a complicated thing with cats. Make sure you are not playing with your hands Although wiggling your fingers and waving your hand around may seem like a good idea, this tells your cat that it is okay to play aggressively with your hand. You do not want to send this message! When cats are young, their nails and teeth don't really hurt, but as they grow older they get a lot stronger. You do not want them to accidently harm you in any. Cat's brains don't really develop past a human toddlers level, so they do not really process that anything is wrong. They don't want to hurt you but they will struggle to understand they are hurting you if you send mixed messages. Instead, show them it is okay to play with toys and strings, anything that is not getting your hands overly involved.
Play time can be a complicated thing with cats. Make sure you are not playing with your hands Although wiggling your fingers and waving your hand around may seem like a good idea, this tells your cat that it is okay to play aggressively with your hand. You do not want to send this message! When cats are young, their nails and teeth don't really hurt, but as they grow older they get a lot stronger. You do not want them to accidently harm you in any. Cat's brains don't really develop past a human toddlers level, so they do not really process that anything is wrong. They don't want to hurt you but they will struggle to understand they are hurting you if you send mixed messages. Instead, show them it is okay to play with toys and strings, anything that is not getting your hands overly involved.
Cat Scratchers
Cat scratchers are very important. Cats are very independent, and they do a pretty good job of taking care of their nails. One of the things they use are cat scratchers. These are usually a cardboard material that allows cats to dig in and scratch. If cats are not given a proper place to scratch, they may resort to carpets or sofas.
Placement
It is important to place cat scratchers at an angle or against a wall. Cats enjoy stretching and jumping up. The higher/more angled your scratcher is placed, the less likely the creature is to mess with your sofa.
Cat scratchers are very important. Cats are very independent, and they do a pretty good job of taking care of their nails. One of the things they use are cat scratchers. These are usually a cardboard material that allows cats to dig in and scratch. If cats are not given a proper place to scratch, they may resort to carpets or sofas.
Placement
It is important to place cat scratchers at an angle or against a wall. Cats enjoy stretching and jumping up. The higher/more angled your scratcher is placed, the less likely the creature is to mess with your sofa.