Cats should actually not be “outdoor” cats. Indoor cats in general live longer, healthier lives than outdoor cats and are at a lower risk of developing diseases and injuries. Indoor cats are also more comfortable with humans.
You should be able to give at least one hour per day of time to your cat. This will help you bond and will keep the cat feeling happy and healthy. [3] X Research source Daily grooming, which can take up to 20-30 minutes, may also be necessary if you adopt a long-hair breed. Talk with your vet or the animal shelter about your time commitments. They may recommend that you adopt a pair of cats, particularly if you find siblings. More than one cat means they can keep each other company when you’re away at work or gone for a long weekend. Kittens often require more upfront time commitment because they must be trained to use a litter box, not scratch on furniture, etc.
Kittens are usually more expensive to start with, as they usually need vaccinations, dewormings, and neutering or spaying. They are going to grow up and become cats, so why wait? Adopting an older cat is just as good, especially since they are calmer. Although cats naturally groom themselves, long-haired breeds may require additional grooming. Cats with brachycephaly, or “pushed in” faces (like Persians and Himalayans) will often need the area around their eyes cleaned to prevent infection. [5] X Research source Look at the prices of quality cat food and treats in your area. This can help you get an idea of what it will cost to feed your cat.
Do you already have other pets? How will a new cat fit in with them? Do you have young children? Young children may be too rough with kittens and can accidentally harm them. [6] X Research source What’s the activity level in your household? Are you energetic, on-the-go? Or do you prefer calmly chilling on the couch? Kittens tend to be very active and will need constant supervision. Adult cats are often calmer and need less supervision, although this can vary by breed and even individual cat.
A short-hair (smooth glossy coat) breed is best for most people. These cats usually do not require extensive grooming. While they shed, you can clean up fur fairly easily with a vacuum or brush. Medium-hair (modestly fluffy coat) and long-hair cats (long, flowing coats) require grooming. You will need to brush and comb their fur regularly. With long-haired cats, grooming is often required daily. A few breeds have no hair (and are hypoallergenic). However, these cats routinely get very cold and require things like sweaters to keep them warm. They’re also not furry when you pet them, which is undesirable to some people.
Kittens’ personalities aren’t fully developed, so it can be harder to know what kind of attitude and relationship they’ll have with you until they’re older. Consulting a breed encyclopedia, such as Animal Planet’s Cat Breed Directory[10] X Research source , can help you learn about the common characteristics of particular breeds, such as their speech, independence, and intelligence. Keep in mind that every cat is different, though.
Purebred cats also tend to have particular health problems. For example, Persian and Himalayan cats tend to have heart and kidney disease problems, while Maine Coons have hip problems and heart disease issues.
Pets adopted from shelters often cost less than purchasing a cat from a breeder or pet store. Cats from pet stores and breeders can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars, but it’s rare for a shelter or foster network to charge more than $100 or $200 to rehome a cat. You don’t have to buy from a breeder to adopt a purebred cat. There are many rescue organizations that rescue abandoned or mistreated purebreds. [13] X Research source In fact, up to 25% of pets in animal shelters are purebreds. [14] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Talk with the employees or volunteers at the shelter. They often can tell you the history of the cat, as well as any medical or behavioral issues the cat has. [15] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Look for telltale signs of cat abuse, such as piles of cat hair everywhere, overwhelming odor, injured animals, and overgrown nails. The cats should be healthy and should seem happy. Ask about the cat you’re considering. Ask the breeder about whether it will be likely to have any health issues, behavioral problems, or special needs. The breeder should sound knowledgeable and honest about any issues. Make sure the cats are comfortable with other animals and people. Be very suspicious of unreasonably low prices. A designer breed that should cost thousands of dollars being sold for a few hundred suggests that the breeder is either cutting corners or being dishonest about the cat. On the other hand, sky-high prices don’t guarantee quality.
The person offering the cat may not know much about its temperament, history, or breed. Make sure that you get any medical records or other paperwork from the person offering the cat. If it is a cat for sale, you may have a hard time getting your money back if the cat turns out to be different than you were promised.
Always ask the store where they get their cats and kittens for sale. Stores may acquire their cats from kitten mills that breed cats under unethical, harmful conditions. Research the breeders that provide the cats. They should seem knowledgeable about the breed, any potential behavior or health issues, and the cat’s personal history (family, etc. ). Purebred cats should also have documentation from a local vet and paperwork, such as registration papers or health certificates. [18] X Research source If your pet store offers adoption from shelters or adoption agencies, choose one of those cats. Adopting a cat rather than purchasing one will ensure you do not send profit to an unethical kitten mill.
Make sure that the cat doesn’t belong to someone else. Sometimes, “stray” cats have eluded their owners, who really want them back. Place an ad in the classifieds or on the internet describing the cat you’ve discovered. Call your local animal shelters to see if a missing animal has been reported. Remember that stray cats may have behavioral issues. Life on the streets is hard, and a stray cat may have trouble integrating into a new home life, especially if you already have other pets. Get the cat examined by a veterinarian before taking it into your home. Cats can carry diseases and infections. Before you adopt a stray cat and let it live with you, have it examined by a vet to make sure it’s healthy.
Make your hand into a fist and extend it towards the cat. This is a human method for mimicking a feline greeting. [23] X Research source If the cat head-butts your hand, this is a friendly greeting. If he/she looks away or backs away, the cat may not like meeting new people. If the cat attempts to scratch or bite you, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t adopt it. Many cats scratch or bite when they are anxious or afraid. However, a cat who bites or scratches may not be a good choice for a household with small children.
Eyes. They should be bright and free of discharge or buildup. Nose. It should not have any discharge, and the cat should not display excessive sneezing. Ears. They should be free of dark wax or buildup and should not smell bad. The cat should not shake its head frequently or paw at its ears. Chest. The cat’s breathing should sound clear, without wheezing or coughing. Fur. It should be clean and free of any parasites, such as fleas or ticks. Look in the armpits and on the belly for signs of fleas. Skin. It should be clean and undamaged. If the cat does have old wounds, they should be clean and well-tended. Bottom. It should be clean and should not have any signs of diarrhea or worms. (Check the litter box for signs of diarrhea or parasites, too. )
How long has the cat been there? Why is the cat there? How does the cat interact with other cats, the staff, and other animals? What is the cat’s personality like? Does the volunteer/employee/breeder have any concerns? Does the cat have any health issues?
Good socialization includes holding and petting kittens for at least a few minutes every day soon after they’re born. However, newborn kittens should not be taken away from their mother for more than a few seconds at a time. Doing so could make her anxious or even cause her to reject the kitten. Other important socialization processes include playing with toys, interacting with people in games such as chasing and pouncing, and exploring different types of objects, such as cardboard boxes, paper bags, and scratching posts. Make sure that the kitten has not been socialized to consider fingers and toes as toys. Kittens may accidentally scratch or bite while playing, but this behavior should not be encouraged. The kitten should always be redirected to an appropriate toy if scratching or biting happens. Kittens should also encounter many different people so they’re less likely to be shy of strangers.
Their personalities are usually set, so you are likely to know more about how the cat will behave and what its attitude is like. Older cats are often litter box-trained and don’t require as much supervision. Older cats are usually calmer and are better with small children. If your older cat wasn’t properly socialized as a kitten, you can still teach her remedial socialization. It may take a lot longer, but with patience and training, even an adult cat can become less skittish. [28] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
If you are looking to adopt two cats, an already bonded pair is a good choice, as they will comfort each other through the stress of relocation.
It’s common to check cats for the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia (FeLV) before bringing the new pet to a home that has another cat. These diseases are easily transmissible to other animals. It’s a good idea to test your potential cat before adoption, whether or not you have another cat at home.
If you have other cats or pets in your household, it’s recommended that you take your new cat to the vet before you bring it home.
Remember that the cat may be very anxious in your home at first. Be patient as the cat becomes adjusted to its new environment.
