5 Essentials You Need to Consider Before Bringing Your New Cat Home

Bringing a new kitty home is, without any doubt, an exciting moment for every pet lover. So, it should come as no surprise that some people get carried away by the thrill of it and completely forget about an essential step: prepping your home for the new family member.
If you want your cat to enjoy his new home, you need to make sure it’s a safe environment for him to explore. With that in mind, here are the things you need to consider before bringing your new cat home:

1. Ask Yourself the Important Questions

The first thing you need to ask yourself is if you are truly prepared to take care of a pet. Do you have the time and energy your new furry friend will need? Can you commit to having your house „transformed” into a cat-friendly area? Are you ok with the furry trails they might leave behind – on your clothes, your plates, and your bed? Make sure you consider all the ways in which living with a kitty might impact your life. 

2. Prepare Your Family

You need to prepare all the residents of your household to welcome the new family member. If not everyone is excited about this, make them at least aware of the changes the new kitty will bring along.
Make sure you share with them a short yet concise list of what it means to take care of a cat. You can even start dividing cat related chores such as changing the litter or taking the cat to the vet. You don’t want to bring your new cat home only to discover that you’re the only one excited about this.
Check this infographic below and share it with your family to ensure everyone knows what it means to get a cat:

3. Stock up and Get Your Basic Cat Kit
4. Another crucial thing you need to get out of the way before bringing a new cat home is making sure that you have what you need to take proper care of your cat. Start with the basics, such as an open litter box and litter tools like a scoop and a receptacle, food and water bowls, and of course, a stock of kitty food and litter substrate. A scratching post might prove to be life-saving for your sofa, so take that into consideration too.
   Other essential items you should purchase also include a cat nail trimmer, brush, a cat carrier, a cat collar and an identification tag. 
   4. Prep Your Home
   While cats are pretty much independent and can look after themselves, you do want to make your home a safe environment for your new pet. Take into account the entire space your little ball of fur will be able to explore and cat-proof it.
   That might mean putting small items out of reach to keep them from being swallowed by your kitty, as well as chemicals, medicine and cleaning products. Research about the plants you have and make sure none of them is toxic for cats. Also, make sure no wires or strings might tempt your kitty – and yes, that includes dental floss.
   Last but not least, keep your cat away from warm but dangerous places, such as the garage or the washing machine.
   5. Make Your House Fun
   If you care about your cat’s well-being (and you probably do), then you should enrich your home with fun and supportive kitty features. You don’t need to spend too much on expensive toys. A fishing pole, a laser pointer, or even a cardboard box will do the trick.
   There’s a reason cat are such great companions: they are loving, fun, and will comfort us when we are in emotional distress. But, before you bring your new furry friend home, make sure you are up to the task.