Before you decide, ask yourself the following questions:
Will a cat fit into your lifestyle? Cats may be lower maintenance than dogs
but you still need to have the time to regularly feed, play and socialise with
your new pet.
Is your home suitable for a cat? Do you live away from a busy main road and
have safe access to a garden? If you rent, have you checked your tenancy
agreement to see if you are allowed pets?
Can you afford it financially ? A cat needs regular visits to the vet for
vaccinations and you should consider pet insurance costs.
Is anyone in your family allergic? Introducing children to other cats before
getting one of your own might tell you if they are allergic.
1.What type of cat ?
Moggies or non-pedigree
The majority of the estimated 400 million cats in the world are
nonpedigree or crossbreds, affectionately known as moggies. Non-pedigree cats can be
robust and long lived, as crossbreeding reduces genetic health problems.
Pedigree
Pedigree cats are bred especially to keep certain characteristics such
as colours or patterns. Did you know that pedigree breed type can also have an
influence on personality?
British Shorthair
Laid back, affectionate and good with children. Big in size - males can grow
up to 17 pounds.
Persian
Arguably the most glamorous of all cats. Requires daily grooming - that beautiful
coat will shed a lot of hair!
Exotic Shorthair
Bred to be a short haired version of a Persian - no more daily grooming.
Lively and playful.
Maine Coon
The largest of all the domestic cat breeds. Like to ‘talk’ and have a
large range of noisy yowls and chirps.
Ragdoll
Extremely affectionate - ragdolls will come greet you at the door. Great
with children and usually don’t mind living with friendly dogs.
Siamese
Highly intelligent and like to be involved with family activities. Get
stressed if left alone for long, so if possible should live in pairs.
Choosing a kitten
Kittens are bundles of raucous energy but they also require a lot of
time and effort to ensure they develop into a happy and socialised adult cat.
Our checklist has some tips to ensure you are getting a happy and healthy new pet:
- Make sure your new kitten is at least 8 weeks old before taking them home - if a kitten has bright blue eyes, it usually means that they are still too young to leavetheir mother. Their eyes change colour to their natural colour between 5-7 weeks.
- Ask to see the kitten’s mother - kittens should have been taught basic cat behaviours - kittens copy their mother, including how to use a litter box and how to hunt.
- Check that the kitten has been socialised - kittens should be handled regularly.
2.Choosing an adult cat
When choosing an adult cat, consider the following:
Where the cat has lived before. Is it used to other cats, animals, and /
or young children? Ask about the cat’s health. Has it been neutered and vaccinated?
Does it have any illnesses you need to be prepared for ? Check what the cat
eats. Is it on wet or dry food? Does it need a special diet? Cats don’t like
change, so it’s best to continue giving it the food it’s used to. Find out if
it’s an indoor or outdoor cat. If the cat has previously been allowed outdoors
you should continue to let it out.
Bringing your cat home
Cats are territorial and need to feel like they have their own safe and
defensible space - so set up a safe room.
You will need:
- A spare room or quiet corner
- Food and water bowls
- A litter tray
- Cat bed
- Scratching post and toys
Collect your cat in a secure cat carrier. When you get home, place your
cat in your ‘safe room’ and open the cat carrier. Leave your cat to explore the
safe room on its own. Your cat should stay in the safe room for the first 2-3
days.
Wait for the cat to come out of the carrier on its own - don’t force it
out.
To avoid added stress, bring your cat home when the house is quiet. Keep
small children and other animals out of the safe room. Use this time to bond
with your cat - try sitting on the floor and letting your cat come to you. Your
cat may rub against you; this means they are ‘scenting’ you which helps to
build trust.
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