June is Adopt a Cat Month! At Circle B we LOVE our furry felines and want to share some reasons why you should love them too! Also, we would love to provide some steps on how to prepare when you decide to bring your new little kitten or cat home.
The companionship a cat can provide to you can reduce your stress, anxiety, and improve your health! People with cats tend to have lower blood pressure due to the calming nature of cats and this can lead to decrease risk of heart attacks and strokes! The bond created between a cat and their owner can provide therapeutic benefits to the owner by releasing oxytocin, basically a feel-good hormone, and boosting the immune system, by increasing your resistance to other allergens. If this isn’t reason enough cats make great listeners and they never talk back…well almost never, hahaha! Some cats love to act as foot warmers, others love to cuddle, and other cats are companions at a distance if you know what I mean 😊. So, when searching for your next furry companion please check out the local animal shelter to adopt one of the many cats or kittens that are homeless.
Once you have decided it is time to bring that sweet kitten or cat home please make sure you take the necessary preparations to allow for an easy, smooth transition.
First, purchase a good cat carrier and cat collar. This will provide your cat with a safe way to travel and a collar with your contact information will help direct someone if your cat happens to get lost. Cats should never be loose in a car or held when walking out of the house. As at any moment something could scare the cat and they may take off.
Second, assure you have multiple litter boxes with fresh litter for the cat to use the restroom in your home. Cats also like privacy when using the restroom so place them accordingly.
Third, if the cat has been on a specific food you will want to assure you have that food. If you like a different type of food, it will be important that you slowly switch over to the new brand of food you like. Ask the shelter what they have been feeding so you can purchase that food to slowly switch them over a few days to your favorite cat food. This will allow their stomachs to adjust to the new food and hopefully not cause an upset stomach and stress.
Fourth, schedule your FIRST Veterinary visit! This will be essential in making sure your cat is healthy and free of any disease that may be contagious to your other pets. At this appointment it will be important to discuss with the Veterinarian any questions or concerns you may have regarding cat ownership. At this visit it is important to purchase flea and heartworm prevention as well as discuss microchipping your cat if she or he does not already have one in place.
Fifth, prepare an area for the cat to live in for the first few days to acclimate to his or her new surroundings and smells. This should be a small comfortable, quiet, closed-in area, such as your bedroom or a small room away from the main foot traffic, and provide them with a litter box, food and water, toys, and a scratching post.
Sixth, if you have other animals at home please review the following information provided by the Human Society to appropriately introduce your new pet to your already established pets in the household.
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/introducing_new_cat.html?credit=web_id97321383
We hope this list of items will help you and your household prepare for the exciting, adventure of cat ownership. We are always available to answer any additional questions you may have regarding owning a cat or any pet. Please come by or call us we love to hear from you!
Quick side note: Summer is in full force here in Katy, TX and those blazing hot days are upon us! Circle B would like to just give a friendly reminder to everyone to keep all pets cool and hydrated. Remember please NEVER, EVER leave your pet in your car unattended it can lead to a heat stroke which can be life threatening. Also try to walk your pets early morning or late evening to protect them from heat stroke and burning their paw pads on the hot sidewalks. OUCH!! Please be careful and call us with any questions about these hot summer days and caring for your pets.
Happy Father’s Day to all those super hero Dads our there, we appreciate all your hard work!!!!
Love,
Your Circle B Family
References:
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/bringing_new_cat_home.html#prepared
