By Ada Mendez
PetLifePro.com
Be ready for a long commitment
Are you ready to live and care for your cat for a solid 15 to 20 years? That is the average lifespan of your feline friend. Consider also the fact that on average you may spend up to $1,000 on vet, food, treats, and toys.
Prep the environment for your new friend
Cats are very territorial, so entering a new home or place could be stressful for them. Before you adopt a cat it’s very important to create a special spot in your home. That quiet place should have an adequate litter box, toys, treats, food, and water.
Explore local shelters
There’s a misconception that animals in shelters have physical or behavioral issues. The truth is that most of the time, that’s not the case, so be open to go to a local shelter and find there your new friend. Experts say that cats primarily end up in a shelter because of challenges in the lives of previous owners.
But make sure to pick the right shelter
Talk to shelter employees to get an idea of what they know about the animals’ health and behavior. Shelters that don’t do behavior assessments or disease testing are not a solid pick.
Is your family ready to adopt?
Just because you are a cat lover and want to adopt a feline friend it doesn’t mean necessarily that your household is ready for it. Talk to other family members and make sure everyone is ready to help and support with the decision. Do you have small children? Are you away from home a lot? Do you have other pets? These are some of the things you have to consider.
First impressions matter
When bonding with kittens, you want to handle them, hold them, let them look at you and see your face. You must have as much contact with them visually and tactually as you can so that they grow up understanding that’s how they should interact with people.
Introduce them to other cats properly
Initially, keep your cats separated by a door, but let them sniff each other under the door. Feed them both on their respective sides of the door so they get positive associations with each other, and eventually, swap bedding between them so they get familiar with their odors.
Be patient
Cat behaviorists recommend new owners to have patience with their new feline friends, as it will take some time for them to learn how to interact with your family and get used to the new environment.
