what to do when you get a cat

Preparing for a cat or kitten? Aid get your home set upward for your pet with our skillful advice

Welcoming a new true cat or kitten into your domicile is an heady experience and tin can be the beginning of a wonderful companionship. Adopting a cat also comes with a lot of change for both of you. Our guide on planning for your new cat volition assistance y'all make the transition as smooth as possible.

How to plan and set for your new true cat

In one case you've decided to give a cat a home, information technology's fourth dimension to get your home ready and prepare for a cat. Y'all'll need to make sure you exit plenty time to make acceptable preparations, besides as to go shopping for everything they demand.

The most of import matter your cat needs is a quiet, comfy and secluded infinite of their or her own. It could be a spare bedroom or a cosy space in the corner of your living room. This will make sure your cat becomes familiar with one infinite before exploring the rest of your dwelling house.

Getting your starting time cat - our quick guide

Brand new to cat buying? If you've never had a true cat before, yous might feel overwhelmed at the prospect of a new pet. Watch our video to observe out more about how to fix - from setting upward and bringing them dwelling in a cat carrier, to how to introduce them to the family.

Shopping for your cat

Peradventure yous're thinking almost what to buy for your cat? Sentry our video for top tips on essential cat products for your new arrival. You can buy cat products online in our shop, where you lot'll find everything from cosy beds to toys and feeding mats.

Watch our video for pinnacle tips

Store our cat care collection

Here'southward a step-past-step guide on setting upwardly a infinite for your new cat

Make certain the space is private. Keep dogs, kids and guests out
Make it safe. Remove potential hazards like cleaning products or annihilation that could exist knocked over
Provide a hiding space. A cardboard box on top of a tall piece of furniture is ideal
Add your true cat's essential items. Yous'll find a full list of these below
Provide some fun. Puzzle toys, fishing rod toys and even cardboard boxes are fantabulous boredom busters

Things you'll need for your new cat

I nutrient basin
One water basin; retrieve to place your nutrient and water bowl away from each other
Food and h2o
A soft, warm and comfy bed put somewhere quiet and condom
A litter tray, kept abroad from your cat's food and water area
Access to a high spot where they can view their surroundings. A elementary paper-thin box should practice the trick!
A sturdy scratching post
A brush
Cat toys
A cat carrier; choose something well ventilated and sturdy
Remember: When providing beds, litter trays, scratching posts and food and water bowls, it is a good thought to provide ane actress. When more than one cat is sharing the home, provide 1 of these items per cat plus 1 actress. For instance, ii cats should have access to at least three litter trays.

What does my cat need?

It's important to make sure your new cat has all the essentials they need before bringing them home. To assistance you provide for your pet, we've put together a checklist.

Download information technology, take it shopping with you and stick it on your fridge – it's got everything you need for your new addition.

Download the checklist

Keeping your new true cat safe and healthy

Before you bring your true cat home, you lot'll demand to call back about getting them prepared for the outside globe. All cats adopted from Cats Protection will have received a mandatory level of veterinary intendance, including:

a wellness bank check carried out by a veterinary surgeon
treatment against fleas and worms
at least one vaccination against cat influenza and feline enteritis
neutering, if one-time plenty
a microchip for all cats over 12 weeks of age
a period of pet insurance (each true cat rehomed by Cats Protection will include the option of four weeks' gratis Petplan insurance)

If you lot've adopted your cat from elsewhere, these are all things yous'll demand to call up about. Vaccinations, microchipping and neutering are peculiarly important.

Neutering

Neutering is an important performance to prevent female cats from getting pregnant and male cats from making females pregnant. You lot will need to ensure your cat is neutered to avoid unwanted kittens. At that place are also plenty of health benefits, including the reduced chance of developing some cancers and other illnesses.

Cats Protection recommends that kittens are neutered at iv months old or younger, although they can be neutered at whatever historic period.

Find out more nearly neutering

Vaccinations

If your cat or kitten hasn't been vaccinated, you'll need to take them to a vet to receive them.

When should my true cat be vaccinated?

The outset vaccinations should be given to kittens around eight to nine weeks of historic period. Timing is important – too early and the vaccine may not work properly, too late and they may be susceptible to infection. Two vaccines are usually needed, at iii to iv weeks autonomously. Cats will demand a booster vaccine to go on amnesty levels loftier.

Find out more than well-nigh vaccinations

Microchipping

Microchipping is the easiest and safest way to place a lost cat, keeping your true cat safe if they go wandering. Continue your details up to date and y'all'll increment the likelihood of a happy reunion.

You can volume in to go your cat microchipped by your vet or by a trained and insured member of an creature welfare organisation. Cats Protection oft offer microchipping every bit role of a service. The procedure is simple and doesn't cause harm to your true cat.

Notice out more about microchipping

Signing upward with a vet

Registering with a vet is very of import and with many practices to cull from, it can be hard to know which one to pick. Follow our communication on how to selection the correct vet exercise for you and your pet.

Brand certain they are registered

Information technology is illegal for anyone that isn't registered to practice as a vet. You can find a full list of qualified vets on the RCVS website.

Word of mouth

If yous are in touch with local cat owners, ask around to see what vet their pet is registered to. Recommendations are a useful way of discover a vet that is correct for yous.

Choose a local vet

Choosing a vet that is close in altitude to you is important. As well as being convenient, it is good to know that your vet is close by in an emergency.

Specialist vets

While most vets tin can carry out various medical and surgical procedures, there may be times where your cat needs specialist care. For example, your true cat may have a complex fracture that needs treating. Your local surgery should be able to point you in the correct management.

Find out more than virtually finding a vet

Pet insurance for your cat

Organising pet insurance for your new cat is as important as settling them in. Designed to help protect you against unexpected costs related to your cat, you lot may need information technology to encompass veterinary bills in the futurity. It is important to bank check your policy thoroughly to ensure information technology meets your needs.

Forth with vet care, some policies also encompass the following:

loss and theft of your pet. Although a member of the family tin can never exist replaced, some policies will offer cover to replace your cat if they are not institute
treatment for behavioural issues, carried out by a professional organisation or vet
death past illness or injury
cattery fees if you demand to go into hospital for more than than four days in a row

Find out more about pet insurance for your cat

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Source: https://www.cats.org.uk/adopt-a-cat/preparing-for-a-cat