First Time Cat Owner? Read Our Ultimate Guide For New Cat Owners

First, we’ll outline some general considerations to think about in preparation for your new cat and then we get down to what you need to do and get from the pet supply store or online.

6 Things To Consider As A New Cat Owner

1. Time Commitment

Cats need daily attention and care, including feeding, litter box maintenance, and playtime. Do you have the time and energy to devote to a new cat?

2. Cost Of Owning A cat

Owning a cat doesn’t have to be, but can be expensive. You will need to provide for their basic needs such as food, cat litter, veterinary care and pet insurance. Be prepared to budget for these costs.

Often it is not until a cat becomes elderly that these costs can really mount up.

3. Space For A Cat

Cats need a safe and comfortable environment to live in. If you live in a small apartment, you will need to consider if you have enough space for a cat to move around and explore.

Don’t discount the walls and windows as possible places for your cat to rest. Here is some advice about living in an apartment and owning a cat .

If you work from home you will need suitable space to accomodate the cat in the home office.

4. Allergies To A Cat

If anyone in your household is allergic to cats, it may not be a good idea to get one. However, there are hypoallergenic cat breeds that may be suitable for people with mild allergies.

5. Compatibility

Some cats are more social and active, while others are more independent and low maintenance.

6. Grooming

Cats are generally good at grooming themselves, but some breeds may require more grooming than others. Consider if you are willing and able to commit to regular grooming sessions with your cat.

If you are okay with all of the above, now it’s time to think about what you will need. This is the fun part.

How To Get Your Home Ready For A Cat

Bringing a new cat into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience.

Here are some tips to help you get your home ready for a cat. One thing you definitely need before even bringing your new cat home is a cat carrier.

A hard sided carrier may last for years but a soft sided carrier will be easier to carry.

Some carriers have a seatbelt fitting and some carriers are backpacks.

There are plenty of options. Here are some of the more popular choices.

Before bringing your cat home, make sure to remove any potential hazards that could harm your cat.

This includes toxic plants, small items that could be swallowed, and electrical cords that could be chewed on.

Your cat will need a designated area where it can feel safe and comfortable. This can be a cozy cat bed, a crate, a cat tree, or a cat condo.

Make sure their space is located in a quiet, low-traffic area of your home.

The low traffic area is particularly important if you also have a dog.

The cat needs to be able to access his bed and the litter box without having to pass any scary places.

The condo below is a good size and it has two places for the cat, on the top as pictured or tucked away out of sight down below.

Whatever you may choose to buy in the future, this will always be a useful piece of cat furniture.

The bonus with this combo is that the cat scratcher is included. The Amazon link shows the condo without the scratcher and in different colors.