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Congratulations! You are
the proud new owner of a
cat. No doubt you're looking
forward to years of happy
companionship. But what do
you do now?
The first thing you
should know about your new
pet is that most cats hate
to travel. After the ride
home from the animal
shelter, he will, most
likely, not be in the mood
for fun. For the trip home,
confine your pet in a sturdy
cat carrier. Don't leave him
loose in your car where he
might panic and cause an
accident.
To make his transition to
your household as
comfortable as possible,
select a quiet, closed-in
area such as your bedroom or
a small room away from the
main foot traffic, and
provide him with a litter
box. Let your new pet become
acquainted with that limited
area for the first few days.
Let him sniff all your
belongings and investigate
all the hiding places. Over
a few days, slowly introduce
him to the rest of your
house, including the other
pets and household members.
It will take a little while,
but he will eventually begin
to feel at home.
Cats vary in terms of how
demanding they are as pets,
so let yours guide you to
the level of attention he
wants, whether it's your
hand for petting or your lap
for sitting. Provide him
with the necessary creature
comforts and give him the
companionship he seeks, and
he will be content.
The following is a
mini-primer of cats'
requirements for a happy
life:
Cleanliness. Your
new cat will prize a clean
environment and a clean
body. Cats are naturally
fastidious and most will
instinctively use a litter
box; for some, you may need
to place the cat in the box
and make little scratching
motions with their front
paws so they get the idea.
Many place such a premium on
cleanliness that you should
clean the box daily or
several times a week. Cats
also value privacy, so place
the litter box in a
convenient but secluded
spot.
Most cats will spend
hours grooming themselves,
but even the most avid
groomer can use a little
help from time to time. Nail
clipping and ear and teeth
cleaning are tasks you can
do to keep your cat well
groomed. Even short-haired
cats benefit from weekly
brushing, a task that can be
pleasurable for both of you.
Security. Provide
your cat with safety and
security. Always use a cat
carrier when transporting
your pet. Protect him by
making certain that all
windows are securely
screened, and that the
washer and dryer are kept
closed and are inspected
before each use. Get into
the habit of ensuring that
drawers, closets, and
cupboards are uninhabited
before you close them. And
for your own security, put a
collar and tag on your
feline—there's always the
chance he may slip outside
by mistake, and you want to
make sure he can be
identified as your pet.
Health Care.
Animal shelters take in
animals with widely varying
backgrounds, some of whom
have not been previously
vaccinated. Despite the best
efforts of shelter workers,
viruses can spread and may
occasionally go home with
adopted animals. If you
already have dogs or cats at
home, make sure they are
up-to-date on their
shots—including feline
leukemia—and in good general
health before introducing
your new cat.
Take your new cat to the
veterinarian within a week
after adoption. There, he
will receive a health check
and any needed vaccinations.
If your cat has not been
spayed or neutered, make
that appointment! There are
already far too many
unwanted kittens and cats;
don't let your new pet add
to the problem. Most likely,
the shelter will require
that you have your pet
spayed or neutered anyway.
If you need more information
about why it is important to
spay or neuter your cat,
read our online information
on spaying and neutering.
House Rules.
Provide your cat with some
"basic training" to help him
get along in your home. It's
true that cats usually have
their own ideas about how to
do things. Even so, most
cats can be taught to obey
simple rules like not
scratching the couch, eating
plants, or jumping up on the
kitchen counter. With
repeated, gentle, and
consistent training, your
cat will learn.
Yelling at your cat never
works. Instead, positively
reward him and provide him
with alternative choices. A
good scratching post—coupled
with the handy squirt gun
filled with water—can save
your couch, your chair, and
your nerves. If you help
your cat understand the
rules and give him a
satisfying outlet for his
scratching impulses, there
will be no need to have him
declawed, an unnecessary
operation no cat
should endure.
Room for Fun.
Finally, provide your cat
with an interesting indoor
environment. Cats love to
play and will appreciate
simple and inexpensive toys.
Ping-Pong balls and paper
bags can provide hours of
fun. A comfortable perch by
a window can become your
cat's very own entertainment
and relaxation center.
Toys are very important
for cats. They not only
fight boredom, they also
give cats a chance to
express their prey-chasing
drives. If you're the one
moving the toy while your
cat chases after it,
playtime can be a bonding
experience for both of you.
Enjoy Your Rewards.
Now that you've made certain
all the basic provisions are
attended to, you can relax
and enjoy your new pet. It
may take a couple of weeks
for him to adjust to life
with you. But before you
know it, you'll be curled up
on the couch together,
watching TV like old pals,
and you won't remember what
life was like without him.
