Tips for a new cat parent

Have you been thinking of getting yourself a little kitten? Are you ready to be a cat parent? Don’t worry, we are here to help. Parenting a cat, or for that matter, any animal is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. In many ways, it is akin to having your own baby. You will be responsible for another living being. As with kids, the way you train and treat your kitten in the formative months will go on to shape the cat they become. Make sure you have all that you need to make a cat comfortable before bringing him/her home. Here are some tips to help you out along the way –

• Consider if you have the necessary time to devote to a pet cat – Cats are independent creatures. It’s true. But they need as much care in their initial months as a newborn child would. So carefully consider if your lifestyle can make space for caring for a feline before bringing them home.
• Find out your kitty’s age – A kitten’s age will dictate their dietary, grooming and excretion habits. If your kitten happens to be under 10 months old, you will need to consult a vet. The first ten months of a kitten’s life is incredibly important as this is when its mother teaches it socialization, survival and excretion techniques. Adopting a kitty under 10 months old means you will be replacing his/her mother.
• Cat-proof your home – Cats like to climb and crawl around according to their whim and fancy. You cannot dictate their movement. What you can do, is cat-proof the home by removing all possible threats to your pet so it can move about freely without any harm.
• Know if you have any feline allergies – Walk in for a checkup at the doctor’s to test if you are allergic to felines before bringing your furball home. If you’re still determined to get a cat despite being allergic, choose a cat with low allergens.
• Search for a good vet – It is very important to find a good vet to give you advice and check up on your cat’s health. The vet will give you important info regarding the kitten’s nutritional and developmental needs. They will also alert you to any injury that they may have suffered or of any parasitic infestation.
• Stock up on supplies – A feeding bowl, litter box and blankets aside, there are many things that a cat needs. You could get your cat grooming supplies and scratching posts. Perhaps, even a few toys and treats. Make your new cat feel at home.

If you’re a new cat parent, keeping the above in mind and putting it to practice will pave the way for you to become the cat parent you want to be.