Do you really have to do NOTHING when you get a cat?

Wrong! 

Though cats are super low maintenance and don’t need you to be around all the time - many of them need a regular and healthy schedule to keep them happy. They are mostly independent and are used to finding things to play with. Here are some super easy ways you can get your cat to settle in and what you need to prepare for! 

• Food: They need to be fed regularly and once a feeding schedule is established you can start “free-feeding” your cat - leaving the dry food out in a bowl and they will eat as and when they need to. Your veterinarian can advise you on how much your pet should eat daily based on their size, breed and activity level.

• Water: Cats don’t drink a lot of water. Keep small and clean water bowls with low water levels so they are not intimidated by a large amount of water.

• Litter: Most kittens and cats will come to you litter trained. This is a clean skill they pick up very early on and will only use their litter box once it's been established. Ensure you clean the box out at least once in 2-3 days, if not everyday so they have a clean place to relieve themselves. Cats also prefer not to eat near their litter trays, so keeping their litter trays and dining places in separate rooms isn’t a bad idea.

• Play: Especially as kittens cats have a crazy amount of play energy and curiosity. What makes it easy is everything is a toy to them! While you can buy some cat toys at the store you can also just give them - cardboard boxes, bells, ping pong balls, string, tied up ribbons, or anything that moves or makes a sound. Leave the toys and some tied up toys around the house and they will play by themselves when they need to expend energy! Try playing with them everyday with different toys that allow your cat to stalk, chase, pounce, and kick. Lots of cats even like cat games on the phone or watching movies!

• Scratch Posts: Cats and kittens will look for places where they can scratch and sharpen their claws. Getting scratch posts or a cat tree isn’t a bad idea or they might end up using your curtains or cushions!

• Walks: Consider purchasing a harness and training your cat to walk on a leash if you live in a neighborhood where you won't run into any loose dogs. It’s simplest to start while your cat is still young, though all cats, especially the anxious ones, might prefer the safety of home.

• Vet & Grooming: No you do not need to bathe your cat! Cats are very clean and they use their scaled tongues to clean their fur daily. You can assist them with a wet rub or towel dry down if you feel they are getting smelly. They just need to go to the vet once a year for vaccinations and don’t fall sick easily.

• Cat Proofing: Cats go everywhere. They fit in the smallest places and can get into your couch and under your bed. Make sure there are no openings to the outside world - attic windows, drains, or vents where they could escape and definitely pigeon net your balcony! 

So now that you know all this you can decide if your house is a good place for a cat to be in!