- Read a guide on how to care for cats, even if you have had cats in the past so you are up-to-date on current care recommendations. Your local veterinary hospital usually will have some excellent basic care guides and can loan them to you. The pet store, book store, and local library also may have a suitable selection of cat care references. If there are children in the home, make sure you read along with them about caring for their new charge!
- Obtain the essential equipment you will need at home such as a scratching post, litter box and litter, feed dishes, sleeping bed, grooming tools, a climber, and a few toys. A travel carrier is also a wise investment so that when transporting her home or to the veterinary hospital, Kitty does not escape and become lost.
- Wherever you have obtained the cat, ask them to give you a written note about the feeding schedule they are using, and ideally, have them give you at least a few days to a week’s supply of the food. This is so that a sudden feed change does not occur at the same time as the move. Once Kitty is settled in, if your veterinarian has recommended a feed change, gradually mix in increasing proportions of the new food. This will help the dietary transition to occur without a tummy upset. This gradual transitioning may help prevent the infamous “turning up the nose” at an unfamiliar food as well!
- If this is a household with children, have a family discussion about who is feeding, cleaning the box daily, and grooming. Before kitty comes home, everybody then knows their role in the care of their new furry friend! This can help prevent double feeding, forgetting to feed or clean the box, and other oversights or sibling conflicts.
- Children should also understand the need for Kitty to have some quiet time, and know how to properly handle and carry the cat. If the children are new to handling cats, teasing and tail pulling should be explained as inappropriate, and remind them that Kitty should never be dropped to test if she will land upright as injury may occur. Let children know that if Kitty lashes the tail, drops the ears down and back, develops hair standing up over the back and tail, arches the back or hisses or spits, these signs may indicate impending bite or scratch behavior. If any of these warning behaviors develop, the children should back off and let the cat settle down for at least two hours before handling her again, and avoid whatever stimulated the cat to react that way.
- “Childproofing” or kittyproofing the home should be done. If there are already children at the home, this may not be necessary but be aware that curious cats will find all kinds of things to get into! Take care to put human medications away in a secure place. Sewing baskets with bright colored thread, needles and ribbons (fun to swallow) should be placed in a closet or cupboard. Lock up household cleaners. Keep the toilet lids down. Secure electrical cords out of reach or cover them. Remove toxic plants. High perches that are not secured to the wall should be stabilized, or access to that room cut off.
Now you are ready to have some fun with your newfound friend! 
Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at Cathealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site.
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