If you are thinking of adopting a cat, you should know that kittens are sociable and affectionate animals, that require their own space and a certain independence, but that they can be excellent pets. Taking care of a cat, going to a shelter or animal collection center, is an excellent idea that implies a responsibility that you must be willing to assume. There are several important aspects that you will have to consider so that the arrival of the new member of the family is a complete success and in this OneHOWTO article we want to review them, so that you take the step with total security. Take good note of what to know before adopting a cat .
You may also be interested in: Can cats eat cheese?
Index
- race and age
- Health condition
- Male or female?
- what you will need
- Microchip
- Is there any impediment that discourages adoption?
- Adaptation period
- precautions at home
race and age
You may already be clear about the animal you would like to adopt, for example, because you know someone who has a cat of a certain breed, but this is not always the case. Before adopting a cat, it is worth getting some information about the physical characteristics (breed or mix of breeds, for basic health reasons ) and the character of the cat you want as a pet. They are not all the same. There are calmer cats, more playful, more nervous…, although it is something that can change depending on their environment, their age and other factors.
It is also essential to decide if you are going to adopt a puppy cat or an adult cat , assessing the possible advantages and disadvantages in each case. The kitten of a few weeks will adapt to the customs of the house sooner, but you will also have to arm yourself with patience to teach him basic routines regarding meals or where to relieve himself, something that an adult cat will probably understand at first.
Health condition
Centers such as shelters and associations that are responsible for collecting animals to give them up for adoption are a guarantee that the animal has received the necessary care that certifies its good health. Another option is that someone gives you a cat, not being able to take care of it, or that you even think about picking up and adopting yourself a cat that you see abandoned on the street but that is affectionate and gets very close to you.
In any case, a veterinary review is essential to confirm that the animal does not suffer from any disease or that it detects it in order to treat it, to verify that it is dewormed and that the relevant vaccines have been administered, that they protect him and also the people with whom you will live.
Male or female?
It is another question on which you will have to decide, especially taking into account the inconveniences that can arise especially in the mating season or with the puppies that a cat may have and the escapes to the streets in the mating season, whether we are talking about females. like males. On the other hand, there are hardly any differences between cats and cats if they are spayed or neutered , although there are differences between cats, but rather they are due to individual character.
To be calm, ask if the animal you are interested in is neutered or not and, if this is not the case, we recommend that you neuter or sterilize it. Therefore, in these cases, in the end, it is not so relevant if you adopt a male or female cat .
If you have a small or adult cat in front of you and you want to know if it is of one sex or the other, here is a guide on How to know if a cat is male or female .
what you will need
The moment you take your new furry home you will have to attend to him and it is important that you make a small list and start acquiring everything that will be needed to make him feel comfortable (and the rest of the family too). ).
First of all, think about how to take it home because you will probably need a carrier appropriate to its size. His food and water bowl, the sandbox , a cushion or bed where he can sleep, a toy, a scraper to sharpen his nails (and not on the sofa or on the curtains) and the first provisions of food , in the form of cans of food, cat food, or homemade cat food, are elements that cannot be missing from your list.
Microchip
Although it is more frequent in dogs, putting an identification microchip on your new pet is a good idea, since this way it will be much easier to recover the animal in case it escapes, is lost or stolen. In some Spanish autonomous communities it is mandatory for cats to carry it and it is also required as a requirement to be able to travel with a cat to some countries. Keep that in mind.
Here you can see a video explaining what microchips are for dogs and cats .
Is there any impediment that discourages adoption?
It is a question that you should ask yourself before taking the step of adopting a cat. For example, keep in mind if any member of the family has an allergy to the fur of these animals, if pets are not allowed in your neighborhood community or if you have a dog, another cat or another animal that is especially aggressive in the presence of a feline
In the latter case, taking a cat home is not incompatible, especially if it is a puppy, but you will have to take the necessary precautions until both animals get to know each other and reach an understanding and mutual adaptation that allows for peaceful coexistence. For this, you may need the help of an ethologist or educator.
Adaptation period
Depending on the age and previous experiences of the animal, the adaptation period will be more or less long and more or less complex, but it is a variable that you must always take into account. During the first days, you will have to be patient and give the cat its space , allowing it to ‘investigate’ its environment while gradually teaching it the rules of the house in a positive way.
You will have to spend time with him , so that the bond between you becomes stronger, but always without overwhelming him. Remember that play and positive encouragement (small rewards when he does what you think is right) are the best way for the cat to integrate quickly into the family. Think that the moment of adopting a cat is only the beginning of a path of coexistence with an animal.
precautions at home
They are mischievous, agile and curious, so before adopting a cat it is important to take some steps and establish new rules or customs at home. For example, the first few weeks do not leave any food, that you do not want to give it, within its reach because even if you think it will not reach the steak that you have left on the counter, it is most likely that it will end up getting it.
Also be careful with cabinets, as cats like to hide in them and closing the door or drawer due to forgetfulness could cause more than one accident. Here we tell you where a cat can hide .
Caution must also be taken with heaters and electronic equipment that the cat could accidentally drop, as well as with access to the outside, especially if they are windows or balconies on high floors , which must be screened.