The Complete New Cat Owners Guide

Bringing a new cat into your home is one of the great joys in life – for them and for you! But it’s important to be well-informed and well-prepared before you roll out the welcome mat (and scratchpad). The more educated you are ahead of time, the sooner you’ll be able to relax and experience the warm-and-fuzzy delight of your feline friend

Section 1: What to Consider Before You Get a Cat

Cats are a really good fit in many households – in fact, they’re the world’s most popular household pet (Bradshaw, 2013). Still, you’ll need to consider whether a cat is a good fit in your specific household. That means talking things over with your family to make sure everyone is onboard, and you’ll have the time, budget, and physical space to give a cat the quality of life it deserves. Take into consideration these 6 things before you decide to bring home a cat.

Cat Allergies? What Hypoallergenic Breeds to Look For

If cat allergies play into your decision, here’s some good news and some bad news: while there’s no such thing as a “hypoallergenic cat”, there are several breeds that seem to provoke less allergic reaction for most people (Roth, 2021). There are also a few ways to potentially reduce your allergenic response. You can learn more about cat allergies and less allergen-prone breeds here.

Section 2: Preparing Your Home For Your Cat

In order for your cat to settle in quickly when you bring them home, there are several things you’ll need to do ahead of time so that they can feel comfortable and be safe in their new environment.

How to Kitten Proof Your Home

It’s truly amazing all of the tiny and surprising places that a kitten can get into – and it can really catch you off guard if you’ve never had a feline buddy before! To make sure your kitten’s exploration stays fun and doesn’t raise your blood pressure, do a thorough kitten proofing operation prior to their arrival. It’s crucial that you inspect your home from a cat’s-eye-view, move any hazardous substances or objects out of paw’s reach, and block off unsafe areas or nooks where you won’t be able to reach your new pal.

What Supplies Do Cat Owners Need?

Prior to bringing your cat home, make sure you’ve got all the supplies you need to give them the pampering they deserve. Settle on a brand of cat food and purchase enough to last at least a couple of weeks. You’ll also want to buy a sturdy scratching post and a cozy bed. This will help your new cat feel at-home and may also redirect them from scratching your favorite rugs and furniture (although you’ll likely want to cover any cherished objects until you have a good sense of their scratching habits). Cat toys are a must as well – particularly because playing with your cat is a terrific way to begin to form a bond. And establishing a solid litter box routine is also in both you and your cat’s best interest, so here’s how to set up, clean and introduce your cat to a litter box.

Section 3: Raising and Caring for Your Cat

It’s well-established that cats are relatively self-sufficient compared to dogs (no offense meant to any dogs reading this). But cats still need plenty of love and attention in order to flourish! Some elements of cat care take place on a daily basis, while others are monthly or yearly. And your cat’s stage of life will also dictate much of what they need from you, as young kittens and senior cats tend to both require more TLC.

How to Raise a Kitten

Young kittens need significant care as they’re just beginning to learn the ropes of the world and are literally developing a little bit more every single day. This means lots of supervision, lots of playtime, and yes, frequent trips to the vet for checkups, shots and vaccinations within the first year of their purr-filled little lives. You may want to consider enrolling your new fuzzy friend in a cat wellness plan – Pets Best offers cat coverage options that’ll help you pay for routine kitten checkups as they grow up (and they grow up so fast!). If you’re thinking about fostering a kitten so that it can eventually be adopted by another family, there are some specific things you’ll want to consider before fostering.

Cat Grooming

Cats spend up to half of their day grooming themselves (Costa, 2021) - which might seem a little excessive at first, but there’s no denying they manage to look spiffy pretty much all of the time. Still, they actually do benefit from human help in the grooming department as well. Both short and long-hair cats need to be brushed on a regular basis, with long-hair cats requiring more frequent maintenance. Your cat will also need to have their nails trimmed regularly. While there are plenty of professional pet grooming salons you can go to, with a little bit of patience and education you can absolutely take care of most cat grooming stuff at home. These cat grooming tips will go a long way towards making it a positive experience for both you and your kitty. If you groom them well enough, they may even try to return the favor!

Cat Grooming Tools

Slicker brush: Good for all types of fur, has metal tines, so be careful not to injure a cat’s skin.

Molting comb: Good for all types of fur, particularly long-haired cats and has two lengths of pins to detangle and prevent mats.

Bristle brush: Best for cats with short or sleek hair and a good finishing brush for long-haired cats.

Rubber brush: Great for skittish cats because the rubber teeth massage the skin, stimulates oils and removes loose hair, particularly for shedding cats.

Pin brushes: Good for all cats, helps remove tangles and prevents mats, particularly good for cats with medium and long-hair.

Grooming comb: Use to untangle knots for all cats, use a comb with wide spaces between teeth for long-haired and thick hair, and use a comb with narrow spaces between teeth for short-haired cats.

Section 4: Cat Health

Much like your own health, the “health” of your cat is actually measured and maintained in a wide variety of ways. Early detection of medical issues as well as proper diet, preventative care and activity level are all important parts of ensuring that they stay happy and healthy.

Healthy Cat Diet

It’s important to understand that cats are “obligate carnivores”, meaning that they require nutrients that are only found in animal products. While us humans may opt for a vegetarian diet, that’s simply not an option for our four-legged friends. On a macro-nutrient level, cats need a diet that is high in protein, moderately high in fat, and very low in carbohydrates. And of course, cats need to consume water. Because some fail to drink enough from their water bowl, it’s crucial that their food source contains water as well. So when choosing a pet food for your cat, be sure to check the label in order to understand how much protein, fat, carbohydrate and water it contains. We also recommend you consult with your vet for pet food advice, as there is some variance in the dietary needs of cats based on their age and any existing health issues that they may have. And when feeding your cat, it’s important to follow the directions on the label of your pet food and not give them more than is recommended – a calculation that is made based on their weight and lifestage. As is the case with us humans, maintaining a proper caloric balance will go a long way towards keeping your cat at a healthy weight.

Types of Cat Food and the Differences Between Them

Common Cat Illnesses & Diseases

Cats may be prone to certain diseases and illnesses based on their age and breed. A sick cat may try to hide the fact that they’re dealing with a health issue – so it’s important to keep an eye on your cat and notice if they have any sudden behavioral changes. If you do notice a problem, being proactive is key – so get familiar with the signs and symptoms of common cat ailments.

Most Common Feline Conditions Claimed by Age

Exercising & Keeping Your Indoor Cat Healthy

Playing with your cat is an important bonding language for both of you – and you’ll want to also make sure that they have access to cat toys that allow them to play passively on their own. After you’ve done all you can to keep your cat healthy and happy, the final piece of the puzzle is preparing for unforeseen issues – which is where cat insurance comes into play. Pets Best offers affordable coverage options for both expected and unexpected cat health issues – and we’re here to help you pick a plan. With the right insurance coverage, caring for your cat can be a worry-free financial decision!

What to Do if Your Cat Has an Emergency

Persistent vomiting or diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and physical trauma are all serious issues that require immediate veterinary attention. Call your vet! If your cat has an emergency outside of the normal operating hours of your usual vet, you’ll need to call an emergency vet instead. It’s best to keep your local vet and emergency vet clinic’s phone numbers somewhere visible in your home – that way they’re easily and quickly accessible for anyone who may be caring for your cat. Pets Best offers a 24/7 emergency pet helpline, included with every Pets Best policy at no extra cost.

Section 5: Cat Behavior

Your kitty’s antics and quirks will no doubt be a daily source of amusement – and who knows, they may even have a successful career as a social media influencer when they grow up. But while much of their behavior may seem purely humorous, they could also be sending you important signals.

Common Cat Behaviors

While you may be familiar with cat activities like grooming and purring, it sometimes takes owning a cat before you experience more exotic stuff like kneading (or “making biscuits”), loud or strange meowing, and the like. Get informed ahead of time on normal, abnormal and excessive cat behaviors so that you’re prepared for anything your feline throws at you (figuratively speaking, of course).

Cat Facial Expressions and Meanings

Just like humans, cats convey meaning with their facial expressions – they just generally get more whiskers involved. But what are they trying to say? Are they agitated, curious, or looking for snuggles? Take a closer look to find out.

Ongoing Healthcare for Your Cat

We hope you’re feeling prepped and ready to bring home a new feline friend! If you have additional questions about owning and caring for a cat, please check out the Pets Best Blog. And to find the right insurance plan for them, get a pet insurance quote here.

References:

Bradshaw, J. (2013, October 14). Dogs we understand; cats are mysterious, even though they are the most popular pet. Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/dogs-we-understand-cats-are-mysterious-even-though-they-are-the-most-popular-pet/2013/10/14/2c59c6b0-26ca-11e3-ad0d-b7c8d2a594b9_story.html

Roth, C. (2021, February 4). Are There Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds? Retrieved March 22, 2021, from https://www.petsbest.com/blog/hypoallergenic-cat-breeds/

Costa, A. (2021, February 22). 7 reasons why cats are so clean. Retrieved March 23, 2021, from https://www.readersdigest.ca/home-garden/pets/7-reasons-why-cats-love-clean-themselves/

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