Congratulations! You’ve welcomed a new feline to the family. At this point, you may be asking yourself, “Now what?” Well, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re a first time pet owner or the family your neighbors lovingly call “the crazy cat people”, we have some tips to help your new kitty get adjusted to his or her new home.
Supplies You Will Need:
- high quality cat food
- bowls for food and water
- litter and scoop
- bed
- toys, catnip, scratching posts/play structures
- carrier
- collar and ID tag
- brush/comb (For top notch de-shedding of your feline friends, try the Furminator.)
- toothbrush and toothpaste made for cats
- carpet stain and odor remover (We recommend Nature’s Miracle.)
- Revolution for flea control (Did you know that Revolution not only protects cats from fleas but heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and ear mites too? You can buy Revolution from us here at the clinic or at our online pharmacy, Vets First Choice.)
Cat Proof Your Home
Before you welcome your new kitty to your home, make sure to remove all potential household hazards.
These include:
- Kitchen and Laundry Area – Keep trash cans covered, don’t leave food out on the counters (especially toxic foods such as chocolate, raw bread dough, garlic, and onions), store all cleaners where your cat can’t access them, and always keep the laundry dryer closed (an open dryer full of warm clothes is an inviting place for a cat to curl up and take a nap)
- Garage – Make sure cleaners, motor oil and gasoline, glues and paint, antifreeze, pesticides, fertilizers, etc. are all stored where your cat can’t get into them; be certain that your kitty is in a safe place when you open and close the garage door
- Bathroom – Keep the trash can covered, restrict access to dangerous substances that might be tempting to a cat like dental floss and hair bands (not only is this a choking hazard but it can cause a blockage in the intestinal tract if consumed)
- Living Areas – Keep recliners in the upright position when you aren’t using them (also, make sure your cat is out of the way when you move the chair because cats can easily get caught inside), don’t leave out small objects that could pose a choking hazard such as paper clips, keep electric cords and cables tucked away (try spraying them with a taste deterrent such as Bitter Apple), keep toxic plants out of the house
First Vet Visit
After adoption, it’s time for a visit to the veterinarian. At Cat Care Professionals, we recommend bringing your new cat to the vet for an exam to make sure that he or she is healthy, not only to protect them but to protect you and your family as well (not to mention we would love to meet them!).
In addition to an exam, they should receive preventative care such as vaccinations, an intestinal parasite treatment, and a fecal and feline leukemia/feline AIDS test. Lastly, don’t forget to microchip your new family member (even indoor kitties!) so that they can be returned to you if they were ever to get lost.
If you have any additional questions, then we welcome you to contact us at our clinic and boarding facility in Lake Oswego or schedule an appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you!