SolveYourProblem.com Article Series: Cat Care
Cat Care Tips
Want
To Get A Cat? Here Are Some Helpful Tips
Before you look for a new cat, know what you
are getting into. Despite their reputation for being aloof,
cats are not animals that you can ignore. Unless your are prepared
to spend time with them, do not get one. If you have never
owned cats, you may not realize that they do certain cat things
and need certain cat things. New and unsuspecting cat owners
may be surprised when they find their cats regularly do the
following:
- Jump. Cats like to be in high places such as on top of your desk,
bookcase, filing cabinet, sofa to watch people and
events and gain information about people behavior.
- Play. Cats need interaction with humans. Be prepared to spend
time playing with and talking to your cat.
- Scratch. Cats have to scratch. Rather than trying to prevent them,
train
them to use a scratching post
and trim their claws
regularly.
- Vomit. While this may seem a bit something on the “ill” side –
it is not. Many cats constantly vomit
or cough up hair
balls and fur balls to clear their throat of them.
Where you live plays an important role in the feasibility
of owning a cat, especially if you do not own your own home.
Obviously, some landlords do not allow cats so look for apartments
that do. One way to find out is to access the internet. You
can do searches online for apartments that do allow cats. When
you do find a place you want to live, ask yourself the following
questions.
- Does
your apartment complex require declawing or require that
cats are kept indoors only? If so, you could face unresolvable
litter box problems that could eat up your security deposit
and living options.
- Is
your apartment or house big enough for one or more scratching
posts or litter boxes? Can it
handle more litter boxes
if a problem develops?
- Are
you on a quiet or a busy street? If you live in a congested
area, your cat will face increased
risks if
he goes outdoors.
Shelters
are the best place to find a cat. With thousands
of cats being euthanized in your local cat shelters due to
lack of homes, adoption is a responsible choice. Shelters put
cats through adoption tests so your chance of finding a smart,
loyal and appreciative cat is extremely high in practically
any reputable shelter in the country.
Kittens less than eight weeks old are often cared for in a
volunteer foster home until they are old enough to adopt. In
these cases, the shelter may be able to give you an idea of
the kitten's personality and behavior. Try to locate a small,
nonprofit cat shelter. Smaller shelters often do not cage or
euthanize their cats. Many small shelters are run by people
who will sacrifice everything to find homes for the cats they
rescue.
At the shelter, you will find strays and unwanted adults and
kittens that have been put up for adoption. Even after the
stress of being captured, relocated and caged, stray cats can
be trained to be well-behaved. If you are thinking of owning
only one cat, try to find a cat who is used to being alone.
This will probably be an adult. If you want a kitten, it is
best to adopt at least two kittens so each will have a friend.
There are advantages to adopting an adult cat. While it is
hard to know what sort of cat a kitten will become, you will
know the size and personality of the grown cat in relation
to your home or apartment. If you do adopt kittens, try to
get them over 10 to 12 weeks old. The longer a kitten stays
with her mother, the better your chances of having a healthy,
stress-tolerant cat.
You may call different shelters to see if they have older
kittens and at what age the kittens were taken from the mother.
Find out if the kittens were fostered in a household with children
for several weeks. Children and frequent handling make for
a more social and loving cat. #
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
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