There are so many great things about adopting a cat. You’ll have a new furry friend to love and cuddle with all day long. He or she will make your life happier and easier, which is something we all need sometimes.
But before you add a new family member, you want to make sure your home and your family are ready for a new member. So before you go through the adoption process, take some time to read through this guide.
Why Do People Adopt Cats?
I’ve recently been doing some research into cat adoption and why people adopt cats, and I wanted to share what I found. Adoption is a complex issue, so it’s hard to get one clear answer. There are many reasons why people adopt cats, but one of the most common ones is because they want to save a life.
Should I Adopt from an Animal Shelter?
Animal shelters are an excellent resource for finding your next cat or kitten.
They provide a safe haven for cats and kittens who need help getting adopted. Plus, they are often open to adopting out older cats, which means you can be sure that your new cat will have a long and happy life.
What Should I Consider Before Adopting a Cat?
Here are a few things that you should consider before adopting a cat.
Is Your Home Suitable for a Cat?
Before you add a new member to your household, you want to make sure your home is ready for the changes a new cat will bring.
For example, you may need to make some adjustments to your home in order to make it a good home for your new cat. This could mean making some modifications to your home or investing in some new furniture or toys. This is especially true if you’re planning on adopting an older cat.
Older cats can have more challenges as they age. This means that they may have trouble learning how to use your home and be less willing to play.
What About My Family?
Another important thing to think about is whether or not you and your family are ready for a new addition. Adopting a cat is a big commitment, so you want to make sure that your family is ready for a new member.
Are You Ready for the Responsibility of a Pet?
If you plan on adding a new member to your family, you’ll want to make sure you’re ready to be a pet owner. You’ll need to have time and energy to properly care for your new cat or kitten.
This means making sure you have the resources to properly feed, clean, and care for your new pet.
What Kind of Cat Do You Want?
Once you’ve thought about all the above, you’ll want to think about what kind of cat or kitten you want. There are many different kinds of cats available – and some are more difficult than others to adopt
For example, you may want to adopt a kitten instead of an older cat. But if you do decide to adopt an older cat, you’ll want to choose a friendly older cat who won’t require much training.
Also, you should think about if they are going to be an indoor or outdoor cat.
Do You Want a Male or Female Cat?
Another important thing to think about is whether or not you want a male or female cat. While many people prefer to adopt a male cat, there are some benefits to adopting a female cat.
How Much Does it Cost to Adopt a Cat?
If you’re planning on adopting a cat from a shelter, you’ll want to make sure you have enough money to properly care for your new pet. Shelters have a wide variety of cats available, so you should plan ahead of time to cover the cost of adoption. You can also visit your local animal shelter or rescue organization to find out what the costs are for adopting a cat or kitten. You can also ask your vet or other pet-related friends to help you out with the costs.
What Kind of Care Do They Need?
You may want to consider whether or not you’re able to provide the proper care and attention for your new cat or kitten. For example, if you have a small apartment, you may want to make sure that your cat has access to large open areas, like an indoor/outdoor kitty condo.
You’ll also want to make sure your cat has access to fresh water and a litter box. You’ll also want to make sure you have the time to properly take care of your cat.
You’ll need to make sure that you can spend time playing with your cat and taking care of it.
This means that you should be available to feed, clean, and play with your cat on a regular basis.
Should They Get Spayed or Neutered?
If you plan on adopting an older cat, you’ll want to think about whether or not they’re going to need to be spayed or neutered. Many cats don’t get neutered until they reach adulthood.
This means that they will need to have their first litter before they are fully grown and sexually mature.
If your cat is older, you’ll want to make sure that he/she isn’t having any health problems and that he/she is healthy and happy.
If you decide to adopt an older cat, you may want to check with your vet to make sure that it’s okay for them to remain unaltered.
If your cat is young, you may want to think about if you’re going to spay or neuter your cat. Many shelters will offer spaying or neutering to new adopters.
How to Make Your New Cat Feel Comfortable
After you’ve thought about all the above, you should also think about how you can make your new cat feel comfortable in your home.
First, you want to make sure that your home is set up for a new cat. For example, you’ll want to make sure that your home is set up with a litter box.
You should also make sure that there are places to hide and find food and water for your cat.
Another thing that you need to make sure of is that you are not using any of your own furniture or walls as a scratching post. This may be hard to avoid, but it is important for your cat to have their own space to scratch.
Provide Some Toys
You’ll want to make sure that you provide plenty of toys for your cat. This will help your cat relax and will also keep them from getting bored.
Make Sure They Have a Bed To Sleep On
You should also think about whether or not you want your cat to have a bed to sleep on. You’ll want to make sure that your cat is happy and comfortable when they’re sleeping. It can be hard to know what kind of bed your cat needs, so you may want to talk with a vet or an animal behavior expert to find out what they would recommend.
Choose The Right Litter Box
You’ll also want to think about what kind of litter box you want to use.
When choosing a litter box, you’ll want to make sure that it is easy to clean and is large enough for your cat.
Just make sure that the litter box is in a place that your cat will be able to easily get to.
How to Feed and Care for a Cat
Make sure that you’re prepared to feed and care for your cat properly.
A properly fed cat is one that has access to fresh, clean water at all times and a nutritious diet that includes essential nutrients.
Cats are obligate carnivores and therefore require a diet that is high in protein.
Cats are not designed to be vegetarians like many dogs or humans. They do need some plant material in their diets, but it should be in small amounts and as a secondary source of nutrition.
Helpful Links
Here are a few useful articles on cat adoption:
https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/cat-adoption/cat-adoption-first-30-days/
