Pets are a joy to have and can brighten up our lives. They are excellent companions that offer you a completely different view on life.
Cats are the most common type of pet in households next to dogs. They both require maintenance albeit in different ways.
If you are planning on getting a cat, you should give it serious consideration. Cats are a lot of fun but they are also a lot of work.
If you decide to get a cat, the following are tips from experts for first time cat owners:
Prepare the Cat’s Bathroom
Believe it or not, the most common problem for first time cat owners is with regards to their cat’s toileting habits. Most owners assume that all they will have to do is buy a litter box, fill it with cat litter, put it in the corner and the cat will know how to use it.
A cat is very picky about their bathroom conditions. You will need to ensure that you put the litter box in a place that is conducive to the cat doing his/her business.
Avoid any areas where there are many people in the house passing by or hovering. The key is to observe your cat and find out their preferences.
You might also need to train the cat to use the litter box depending on where you get the cat which is not easy. It takes a lot of patience and restraint.
Learn as Much as You Can About Cats
Getting a cat is a serious commitment so you should absolutely learn as much about cats before and after getting one. The more you know about cats, the better you will be able to take care of yours.
There are plenty of helpful resources that can help you learn about cats. A great online resource you can use is ‘Is That Your Cat’. You can get advice and tips regularly on all things cat.
You especially need to think about your lifestyle as a first-time cat owner. You will need to adapt your cat’s life to suit your lifestyle which can be very difficult.
Accept that Scratching Will Happen
All cats will scratch; it is part of their nature. Therefore, as a first-time pet owner, you should accept that scratching will happen.
When cats scratch, it is a method to release tension. A cat that does not scratch will react in other ways often negatively called destructive scratching.
The scratching will either happen to you or to things in your house. In most cases, it is both. Learn to accept the scratches and not react in a hostile manner towards the cat.
You might need to protect certain surfaces in your house from the scratching. The preventive measures will depend on the furniture in your house.
Create a Menu
Another thing that is usually a disturbing issue for first time cat owners is what to feed their cat. Learning more about cats will usually help address this problem.
Cats will eat pretty much anything when they are hungry so you need to be very careful with their diet. You should also not leave food lying around as the cat can eat it and the result might be serious health issues.
You should create a menu of what you will feed your cat. Milk, meat and cat food are foods you can include in the menu. You should choose foods that you can easily access and are healthy.
The menu should also have a schedule of when you are feeding the cat. Feeding the cat on demand is a mistake that can lead to your cat being overweight.
Play with Your Cat
Your cat is a fun animal that likes to play just like you. Therefore, you should always set some time apart to play with your cat.
It is very important and a fact that many first-time cat owners usually forget or ignore. Many people think that cats are easy pets that simply lie on the couch all day.
Cats are animals and need a fair amount of physical activity every day. Playing with them is the best way to ensure that they get regular exercise. Consider investing in different types of cat toys using this handy guide.
On the other hand, cats are usually very good at amusing themselves so it is not difficult for them to be healthy. Playing with your cat will be a great bonding experience and fantastic for both your mental health.
In conclusion, getting a cat is not as easy as most people think. You will have to feed the cat, prepare its bathroom and play with it. The key is to learn as much as you can about cats. It will prevent emergency trips to the vet and keep your cat healthy.
