Adopting a pet cat is so rewarding (trust me I know I have 5!) and they make for such a lovely addition to the family, I wouldn't be without mine! But if you've never had a cat before, it can help to understand a little about them and their world before they come home to live with you. In collaboration with Purina and the launch of their new Pro Plan® Pet Supplements for cats and dogs, here are my top tips for new cat owners!
- Cats are very territorial. If you're thinking of adopting a kitten but also thinking that maybe down the line you may get another, then it's best to get them both now so that they grow up with each other. Getting another cat later down the line is possible, but it's easiest to introduce them to their new home and territory together and at the same time for more chance of them getting along better.
- You'll need a space for them to retreat to and feel safe when they first come home. Their first few days are likely going to be very nerve-racking for them and so they'll need somewhere they can go and have some quiet time and feel safe when it all gets a bit much.
- Pet beds are usually not very used, mine prefer the sofa, our beds or a good old cardboard box!
- You'll need a litter tray as you will be keeping them indoors for a few weeks/months until they have got used to their home and if they are a kitten, until they are old enough to be neutered.
- Neuter your cat - there are SO many cats and kittens in rescue homes at the moment with many even having to be turned away because of a lack of space. This is mostly due to the fall out of the pandemic and the cost of living increasing. The responsible thing is to have your cat neutered when they are old enough. (Check with your vet what the minimum age is that they will neuter at, as it can vary).
- Get your cat microchipped - whether planning to let them outside or to keep them indoors. This can be done at the same time as you get them neutered. It's inexpensive and it means if your cat ever gets lost and taken to a vet by a friendly passer-by they can be reunited with you. I would also recommend getting a cat flap that works with the microchip as this stops other cats coming into your home!
- Change their litter tray regularly, even if it looks clean. Cats bury their toilets and underneath the litter can start to smell. An option for a cat litter tray is a tray with a hood as that helps to contain smells better than one without. However, some cats prefer an open tray so it may be helpful, at least initially, to get one of each.
- Don't expect a lap cat. All cats are like us and have different personalities: some are lap cats and some aren't. If you are specifically looking for a particular type of personality then adopting an older cat may be best for you, as the rescue centres will likely know more about their personality than they might with a young kitten.
- Don't keep changing their cat food. Cats can get a very upset stomach if you change their food too often. Find a brand and type that they like such as in jelly/sauce/gravy and stick to it if they are happy on it.
- If you adopt a kitten, they'll probably be very playful so get them some cat toys such as little balls to chase, a kickeroo and a cat tunnel, and dangly toys for them to catch usually go down well.
- Your cat will need to scratch / sharpen their claws somewhere so to stop this being on your sofa invest in a cat scratching tree. If they do start to claw your sofa or other furniture you can buy an invisible clear sticky tape from Amazon, which you can't see but will deter your cat from scratching your furniture up.
What about vitamins and supplements?
Together with veterinarians, pet nutritionists and scientists, Purina have just developed a range of complementary supplements for pets to help support with mobility, immunity, vitality, skin & coat and well-being. The new range comes in various formats including powders, oil and tablets.
One of our cats (Charlie) has a skin condition that appears in August every year and we'd heard that giving him a supplement rich in omega-3 and 6 fatty acids could help, so we've just started him on the Pro Plan Skin & Coat liquid (we just add it to the top of if his normal food). In addition to beginning to help with his skin, it also helps to support coat glossiness and softness and as he's an older boy, it's definitely something he could benefit from.
For our other fur-babies, they have been having the Purina Pro Plan Multivitamins which comes in a powder that we just sprinkle on top of their normal food. It contains B vitamins which help sustain energy release and their overall health, giving us peace of mind that we are helping them to get the most out of their lives.
PRO PLAN® Supplements should be served once a day along with a pet’s usual food. For best results, use continuously as part of their daily feeding routine and follow the feeding guidelines based on a pet’s bodyweight. For more information visit https://www.purina.co.uk/brands/pro-plan/supplements.
I hope these tips have been helpful and if you're thinking of adopting a fur-baby soon then congratulations, cats definitely help to make a house a home!
Thank you for reading.
Alex xo
*This post is in collaboration with Purina, but all opinion shared are entirely my own.
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