NEW Canidae Goodness Dry Cat Food is a health-first line formulated specifically to support different healthy adult cats' needs. Make sure you read cat food labels to know what you're feeding your new family member. There's only one step left before Homecoming Day—cat-proofing your home to save wear and tear on the household as well as the new arrival. Cats need: - A fresh litter box. Bringing home a new cat is much like adopting a human baby. You'll want to assure yourself of its good health, and get its vaccinations and testing for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), if not already done by the adopting agency. An older cat might be a wise choice if you have a strict work schedule and don't have time to fully care for a kitten. Proof of current Rabies vaccination on all pets residing at residence. Giving your cat a bath can reduce dander, while also keeping your cat sleek and clean. Inappropriate scratching usually resolves itself if you provide better, more appropriate scratch options. What First-Time Cat Owners Should Know Before Adopting.
If a cat has FIV, it does not necessarily have Feline AIDS. Check out this simple guide to learn more about cat ownership so you can decide whether it's the right choice for you. When these cats are adopted, sometimes their new homes aren't forever homes, and people end up returning a cat to a shelter. Consider a trial period, or a post-adoption visit. Cats love to get away from it all in small places, and you can provide one for your new cat as his own little safe haven. It's a great idea to keep the new addition secluded to a single room (with a litter box, food and water, toys, and the cat carrier left out and open with bedding inside) until the cat is used to the new surroundings; this is particularly important if you have other pets. Returning a cat to the animal shelter because he starts exhibiting unwelcome behavior is not fair to the cat; you owe it to them to try and resolve the issue.
The cat may not leave right away, but Kruger says it's best to leave her alone and let her move at her own speed. When you adopt a cat there are suddenly things you can't do. Although a cat might not need the same amount of grooming as a dog, it still takes work to prevent your house from turning into one big hairball. If things are going well, gradually increase the amount of time you play with them. The beautiful bobtail cat has since been adopted into a loving home. "We don't know why this is, " she says, "but it appears that a cat's immune system is better able to ward off the virus when it is sexually transmitted than when it is transmitted by biting. Owning a cat can be an extremely rewarding relationship. Consult your doctor or local pharmacist about the best antihistamine for your cat allergy. A first-time cat adopter may not understand how to help a new pet adjust. After being in foster care, she spent a year under an owner's sink before being brought back to an adoption store. Suppose you get evicted from your apartment or you suddenly need to move? These signs include: - Eating the treats in the presence of the other cat. When approaching a shelter about adoption, you can expect to complete the steps below: Adoption Application.
Also, high resting spaces increase the amount of territory in the home, which makes peaceful coexistence among cats more likely. Many cats thoroughly enjoy exterminating bugs such as house flies and spiders, almost like they're being paid for it. A cat adopted from a shelter is a bargain; many facilities will have already provided spaying or neutering, initial vaccines, and a microchip for permanent identification. There are other reasons people return cats to shelters, but these are the most common ones. Are you providing scratching alternatives? Investing in a scratch pole or post will not only provide your cat with the scratching outlet they need, but also save you lots of money and frustration. Look for one that seems to be a good fit with you and your lifestyle. To avoid returning a cat to a shelter and instead foster good litter box habits, limit a new cat's access to a single room for the first week or so. 2:30 p. m. Sunday and Monday. Adopting a Cat From a Shelter. Patience and time to let your cat adjust will go a long way. A well-balanced diet. View privacy policy here. Alley Cat Rescue Inc. saved Hardy and helped rehabilitate him.
Cats require exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction. Ratsies' owners came up with his name when he was just a kitten and looked a little like a rat. They offer an unconditional love that can be equal to (or sometimes even greater than) many human friends and confidants. This will be an ongoing monthly cost that should be factored in, but you'll be glad you have it when it's needed. Click here to learn more about introducing resident pets to newcomers. Make sure both you and the adopter have a copy of the contract, and provide them with the cat's medical records, toys, and her special food or treats.
Professional online therapy and tools based on proven CBT strategies. Now you can give them supervised time together without the baby gate. Suddenly things you used to be able to do on a whim now require much more thought and consideration. Therefore, older cats are better suited for a lot of people, although many are tempted to opt for kittens due to their cute factor. On average, indoor cats live around 15 years, but Kruger says some are now living closer to 17 or 18 years. You can even create your own scratching post for your adopted cat. When Lady was first adopted in November of last year, she was both underweight and terrified. Owners should consider whether they're willing to adjust their daily lives before living with a cat for the first time. Touching noses through the gate, playing footsies under the gate and/or rubbing their bodies against the gate. This is not the case in humans. ) Shelters observe a cat's temperament prior to adoption, but stress and the artificial environment of a shelter make it hard to get an accurate assessment of a kitty's personality. Make Your Cat a Family Member for Life. These measures are important and can extend an already long life. They're independent.
If you have young children or spend a lot of time away from home, you may want to consider adopting an adult cat. Don't be overly anxious to pet the cat. It has been suggested that, for the virus to actually infect a cat when taken in through the mouth, there would need to be ten thousand times as much virus present for it to achieve a cross infection". Kittens in particular should accompany you to make the appointment – even before the exam itself – so staff can pet the cat and tell you that you've chosen the most beautiful one ever. Moving forward, they are only going to get this treat in the presence of the other cat. Which disposition is best for you? If possible, you should try to brush her teeth with a soft toothbrush and some feline toothpaste a minimum of 3 times a week.
Some types are made of corrugated cardboard and lie on the floor; others are posts which have to be tall enough so that the cat can extend himself upward to scratch. Most cats enjoy a regular brushing and will look forward to this daily ritual with you. Help us reach our goal of 100 new monthly givers before MIDNIGHT 3/15. We want to make sure the team member assisting with your dog introduction is knowledgeable, experienced and comfortable. Ideally, you would restrict her exposure to the whole family, but naturally, everyone is going to want to see her. Having a cat in your home means you have to make compromises and work to redirect their natural tendencies. If you already own a cat or dog, you're probably wondering how easy it is to add a cat to the family.
Take a look at the pets on our website, including both those under the "animals available for adoption" section and the "reclaim/rescue animals only" section underneath that. This may be the hardest part of the whole adoption process. Your male kitten's risk of developing testicular and prostate cancer when he gets older is also reduced with neutering. Reward them with treats for any positive or neutral interactions. Solving this behavior depends on the cause. Some cats are more sociable than others and will want more of your time and attention, or could even benefit from another cat friend. When considering adopting a cat from a shelter, you need to know more than how to adopt a cat; you need to know if it's a good idea, to begin with. Adopting a cat is an exciting, even life-changing, experience, but this leads many people to overlook some important factors when going through the adoption process. Microchipping is also another precaution that we recommend, especially if your newly adopted cat is going to spend any time outdoors. She may only come out at night when the house is quiet. If the test is positive, Animal Care & Control will phone you.
This research has also debunked the myth that FIV- positive cats cannot safely live with non- infected cats. Just as we each have our own personality, so do cats. Another big consideration with your first cat is "where will it sleep? " No matter what shelter you adopt from, there are certain steps that are similar across the board. Adjust this plan to include your pets. Make Your Home Cat-Friendly.