Bring a new cat or kitten into your family can be a very exciting time. You can check out different breeds to find out what traits appeals to your lifestyle. One thing to consider is that most cats have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. If you get a cat for your child, be sure you will be able to take responsibility for it when they go off to college or if they move and are not able to take the cat with them. Animal shelters are a good place to find a new family member and sometimes you can even find a pure bred pet. By adopting from an animal shelter, you are also saving a life as their time there is usually limited.
When you are ready to adopt a new cat or kitten, the important things you will need to have are food and water bowls, a litter box, bed, grooming tools and plenty of toys for them to play with. Scratching posts and cat trees are a great way to train your new family member where they can use their natural instincts like climbing, scratching and jumping. It will also save your furniture.
Another thing to consider when looking for a new pet is to be sure your have the means to care for them. This would include food, litter, a professional pet stylist if you are unable to handle brushing and bathing and the most costly could be veterinarian visits. Veterinarian visits may only be an annual exam or if it is an older cat or has medical issues veterinary visits will be more frequent and costly. One thing that can help with this is pet insurance if you decide to purchase it.
By being a responsible cat owner it is very important to have your cat micro-chipped and spayed or neutered. By doing this, it helps cut down on the number of pet that end up in the shelters. Most shelters and rescue groups include this in the price of adoption so it will be taken care of before you bring your new furry friend home. If you adopt a kitten it is easy to train them to be indoor only but older cats can also be trained, it is just a little harder sometimes. Cats can be sneaky so having a collar with a breakaway buckle and ID is always a good idea.
Cats need to be exercised so having toys to keep them moving and in shape. having laser pointers and feather teasers you will be able to interact with your cat which will strengthen the bond between you.
Cat proofing your home is extremely important to avoid any nasty accidents or worse results.. Electric cords need to be kept out of their reach. All medicines, chemicals and cleaning products need to be kept in a cabinet they cannot open. Sometimes a child proof lock is necessary to ensure their safety. Appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers should be checked before to ensure your cat has not climbed in to investigate or curl up for a nap.