Have you thought about it for a long time—adopting a cat? Is it something you’ve told yourself for years you’d do, once you were more stable financially, when you’d moved into a safe space? Or were you highjacked by a whim when you went with a friend to an animal shelter? Did you suddenly say to yourself, “Why not?” Did you fall in love at first sight with a cat that was looking for a home?
It doesn’t matter how or why. You’ve decided. You’re going to adopt a cat.
I asked cat experts what advice they’d give to a first-time cat adopter.
Trish McMillan Loehr Consider volunteering at a shelter or [as a] foster first, to figure out what cat personality meshes with yours.
Donna Lange Go to a shelter. There are so many cats that need good homes. Make sure to give them time to really get to know you.
Laurie Perry Adopt from a reputable rescue that has a volunteer who will talk you through the process and be happy to answer questions about cat behavior for the next couple of years. Or forever. Oh, one more thing: Be prepared to make a 20-year commitment if you adopt a young cat.
Photo by Blaine Stum
What about age? Should you consider adult cats or only kittens? What else will you look for when you “audition” at a shelter? How do you know which cats will be compatible with you?
Ed Duhaime Adult cats—that is, older than two years—are pretty much hard-wired in their behavior. If they are used to the outdoors, they will try to go outdoors. If they’re indoor, they will be indoor. If they scratch furniture, they will continue to do so—or if not, they will generally not do so. If they’ve only used a cat box indoors without fail, they will probably be no problem. The main thing I’d suggest is just check for disposition and personality. If you really like the cat, chances are it will like you.
Trish McMillan Loehr Adult cats are the ones most in need of homes, and what you see is what you get with an adult cat. Kittens can change as they grow up.
Lynn Brezina Get one that is social with humans.
Okay, you’ve decided. You’ve picked your cat (or kitten). It’s had the appropriate vet care for its age—don’t forget, many veterinary clinics offer a free “well pet” check-up for newly adopted animals, which is an excellent way for your new pet to meet its new veterinary team. Now you’re ready to go home. Are you prepared?
Donna Lange Have all you need for them ahead of time — bed, toys, scratching post, etc.
Julie Ellingson Be patient. Give the kitty space to watch the household rhythms and come out for attention on her own terms.
Megan Cuilla It’s likely going to be scared at first. Learn its history if you can.
Christine Church The best and first advice is to give them time to adjust. Watch them and get to know their routines and personality. Then set up the house as the cat prefers it and leave everything alone. Cats like routine.
Lynn Brezina Confine the cat to one room for the first two weeks when it’s not supervised, then for another few weeks overnight or when it’s alone in the house, with the litter box (I actually use a big dog crate and crate the cat with the box.) Catnip helps get cats interested in scratching on the appropriate objects.
Jaime Rosier Provide plenty of places for them to scratch, and reinforce scratching in those areas to prevent scratching on furniture or other things you wish not to be destroyed.
Erica Lieberman Campbell Let them come to you. Make a gentle fist and hold it low, near their head, but still. Let them rub on their own. Separate the feeding area and where the water is; they prefer them far apart. Higher ground is always a good idea, like a cat tree, and yes, definitely plenty of good scratching surfaces.
Amy Shojai Learn what is normal cat behavior (clawing, “zoomies,” countertop cruising, etc.) and offer “legal” opportunities for all.
What about those litter box issues—any special tips?
Julie Ellingson Keep the litter box scrupulously clean, and offer several options so you can find out where the kitty prefers to go.
Jody Epstein Exactly that, and also offer multiple options of litter types. Some cats are pretty finicky about what they’ll dig around in for pottying.
Amy Shojai Use the 1+1 rule for scratch and potty opportunities (1 litter box per cat, plus 1) and listen to what the cat wants. Scratching objects should be in public, potty objects should be in a private spot (not in a corner of the room, where the cat can feel trapped). Catch kitty in the act of doing something good and praise.
How about grooming—and avoiding cat fur all over your house?
Laura Elizabeth Becker Trim nails regularly!
Jaime Rosier Address nail care regularly, or use Soft Paws [claw caps] to cover the nails, to hopefully help prevent you wanting to declaw them (which is really awful and unnecessary).
Melinda Rombokas Melvin Use a lint roller daily to control flying fur.
Patricia Louise I use a grooming glove on my cats, and all three love it.
Exercise, preventing cat boredom, and the big question: indoor or outdoor cat?
Dale Reynolds Be ready to play the games that kitty invents.
Timothy Page Keep them inside so they don’t kill all the birds. Tie a mouse toy on a long string attached to a four-foot-long bamboo stick and play, play, play. Cats need exercise, too, but they don’t do well with walks to the park. LOL.
Colette Kase And catios. Catios rock.
Your first cat—what do you need to consider, what do you need to know?
Alison Taub
(1) Think about the indoor/outdoor issue. If you’re committed to an indoor-only cat, don’t get one that has been let outside in the past. All the kittens I’ve adopted that were found outside were frantic to go out again, and ended up as indoor/outdoor cats.
(2) If you’re getting a kitten and specifically want a male or female, make sure the person sexing the kitten knows what they’re doing. Mistakes are common.
(3) If you don’t like the idea of a litter box in the house, just stop now.
(4) If you have children and the idea of the cat scratching the child sounds like a “get rid of the cat” situation, don’t get a cat.
(5) If you’re going to let your cat outside, expect fleas.
(6) My personal opinion is that you should get a cat that is already friendly and purring when it meets you. Walk away from the “he’s shy, but he’ll warm up to you in a few . . . hours, days, weeks” cats. Because maybe they will, and maybe they won’t. And it’s a first cat.
Want to know more about rewarding your dog for making good choices? I will be teaching a free class in Spokane next month and, if you’re in the area, I hope you will attend!
DOGS—LIVING WELL WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND
Monday, June 5, 2017, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
South Hill Library, 3324 South Perry Street, Spokane, Washington 99203
Families, school-age kids (K–5th grade), tweens (5th–8th grade), teens (13–18 years), adults
Dog training is no longer a matter of punishment, force, and fear. Today’s dogs learn to make the right choices because they’re trained with positive, force-free methods that shape their behavior with rewards. What is rewarding to your dog? Val will help you to figure that out! Do you have concerns about your dog’s care and feeding, manners, bad habits or anxieties? Val will be available to answer your questions before class, from 5:30–6:30 p.m., so join us early if you can! Families are welcome.
http://www.spokanelibrary.org/calendar/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D123527681
