How to Choose a Cat?

You have decided to share your life with a cat. This means responsibility for the entire cat's life - for the next 14-15 years or longer.
This is a very serious task and you should do it as perfectly as possible. Therefore, before you choose a cat, you should clarify many questions in advance.

Kitten or adult?

While playing and caressing with an adult animal is a pleasure, kittens require additional attention and more careful supervision.

But they are also easier to handle and adapt better. The kitten learns to handle his litter box and the cat's door very quickly. His lively and playful character ensures a quick getting used to the new environment. From an age of at least ten to twelve weeks, the little ones are allowed to be separated from their mother.

The adult animal is calmer, but it takes several months to get used to the new home. Changing behavior is very difficult. Therefore, make sure that the communication is right between the cat and its new owner. This is very important to know when you choose a cat.

Choose a cat - male or female

When asked whether a female is more affectionate, there are different views.
The male often goes around the territory and marks his area with urine. By timely castration, however, this undesirable behavior can often be prevented.
 
Again, female cats that have not been sterilized regularly become agitated, meow very loudly and are very nervous. Castrated, or sterilized, you hardly notice a difference between the characters of female and male.

Purchase or adoption?

Do you want to choose a thoroughbred cat? Then contact one of the kitty clubs or the veterinarians who can give you the addresses of breeders who have litters at their disposal. Reading an animal magazine or visiting a relevant cat show can also help.

Do you just want to choose a cat without a clear idea of the cat's breed? Then do not hesitate to inquire at animal shelters or at the vets.

Arrival of the cat at home

Now you have a cat at home. Bravo, your new companion will give you years of luck. For this relationship to work, knowing the needs of your kitty is very important.
Also, from the beginning, a code of conduct must be set that you and your petty accept.

Your pet's needs

It is preferable to give an adult cat the food it has received from its previous owner, so that it does not have to cope with the stress of habituation to the stress associated with getting accustomed to the new environment.

In the following weeks, you can gradually replace the previous food with a new one. If you do not know how your cat was nourished before it came to you, then please only give about half of the food quantities stated on the respective packaging in the first two to three days.
 
So, your pet can get used to the new food better and the risk of indigestion (diarrhea) is not so great. The feline loves cleanliness. Your food and drink bowl must be cleaned regularly. In addition, you should not put the litter tray too close to the food bowl.

Litter box

Kitten very early begins to use the litter box. If you want the animals always to stay clean, the litter box needs to be cleaned once a day. If you have several cats, set up a litter box for each kitty.

Basket

A carton of old clothes is enough, but of course you will find much more mature baskets in the store.
It is important that the cat feels safe and secure in their basket. He serves her as a base for her exploration of the new home, where she pulls back even with the slightest threat lightning fast.

Health checks

After choosing and purchasing a cat, you should contact a veterinarian. Ask him to check the cat for the presence of worms, for the presence of fleas, skin disease and outline a vaccination plan.

Toys

Cats love to play, in the shops you can choose a lot of toys for them, but just a ball, a paper ball or a ball of woolen threads are enough.

The collar

It allows identification of your cat in case you lose it or have an accident. Take a collar with which the kitty can not strangle itself if it gets stuck!

Your vet can also tattoo your chosing cat or implant her under the skin an electronic chip (transponder) for identification. Ask him for advice.

Cat flap

The cat door allows your petty to leave or enter your home unhindered. Choose a lightweight, transparent swing door so that the cat can check the terrain before she goes to sleep.

Keep in mind, however, that from now on, other cats have access to your house. In addition, your kitty can leave home unhindered and the risk of being run over or having unpleasant experiences outside the home increases.

Rules of conduct when you choose a cat

The cat is a real bundle of energy. This can lead to her doing stupid things. From the very beginning, with great patience, you must always make it understandable to your cat what she is allowed to do and what not to do.

Tell her right from the start that she can not climb onto tables, steal food, shred the wallpaper with her claws, or do something like that.

If your pet has caused any damage, reprimand him (in an energetic voice) immediately, otherwise he will not understand you. Detect damage done later, then ignore the cat's presence while you clean up or clean up the damage done. Avoid placing fragile items in your home.

Adaptation after choosing

The younger the cat, the better it adapts to new circumstances. This should be taken into account when you choose a cat, and you should also use and bring the animal as close as possible to your environment, other pets, car, etc.

Second kitty in the household

Domestic cats, like all cats, define their terrain. They do not particularly appreciate the arrival of a stranger.
In order to prevent as much as possible the stress associated with the introduction of a second feline, the newcomer should stay the first day in a separate room.
 
Thus, the already existing cat can get used to the corresponding new fragrance. A hierarchy will inevitably develop as soon as the two animals have the opportunity to measure their forces or to fight each other.

Once a hierarchy has developed, they live in perfect harmony with each other. If the newcomer is a kitten, these things usually go much easier.

We sincerely hope that all these tips will help you choose a cat!

Norman 25/05/2022

Thanks for the helpful article! She helped me in choosing my cat.

Joel 15/05/2022

I have 5 cats at home and I have never had a problem choosing.

Rasmus 11/05/2022

At one time, choosing a cat was a huge problem for me. I would do things differently now

Svetlana 09/09/2019

Thanks for the help in choosing a cat for me!

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