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6 Things to Know About Raising a Cat: A Guide for New Cat Owners

Did you know about 58 million households in the U.S. own a cat?

If you’re ready to bring a pet home, but you’re not ready for a dog, a cat will make the perfect addition. Cats live longer, are independent, and extremely loving.

If you’re ready for a cat but don’t know the basics, you came to the right place.

Read on to learn these tips for new cat owners.

1. Don’t Bring a Kitten Home Too Soon

If you plan on getting a kitten, ensure you wait until the kitten is at least eight weeks before you bring him home. Kittens need to spend their first few weeks with their mothers and siblings to start off on the right foot.

When their mothers nurse them, kittens receive extra protection against diseases. Also, they get proper socialization skills by interacting with their siblings.

2. Proper Nutrition

For your cat to live a long and healthy life, it’s important you provide them with the right nutrition. When you’re ready to bring a cat home, it’s essential you feed them veterinarian-approved food.

For a kitten, you should only feed them kitten food because it has the necessary nutrients for their development.

Avoid giving your cat anything other than cat food to avoid cat diarhea and other complications.

3. Focus on Socialization

If you want to have a happy cat, it’s crucial you work on socialization skills. When your cats are not properly socialized, they might get angry, shy, or anxious around other people or pets.

When you bring your kitten home, make sure yo take the time to socialize them. Slowly introduce them to new people and situations.

If you adopt an older cat, make sure you don’t push them into situations that might make them feel uncomfortable.

4. Only Play with Toys

To avoid your cat from developing bad habits, it’s essential you teach them that only toys are for playing. The last thing you want is for your cat to bite your hands for fun; you will have an unruly kitten on your hands.

During playtime, ensure you only use toys to teach your kitten; your hands are off-limits.

5. Give Your Kitten Extra Cuddles

For your kitten to grow up happy and healthy, they need human contact. Make sure you give your cat plenty of attention, especially around 10 to 12 weeks.

Don’t forget to hold your cat, pet them, and bond whenever possible. Grooming time is also the perfect opportunity to establish trust with your cat.

6. Restrict Their Space

When you bring your new cat or kitten home, don’t give them free rein of the house. Your cat might get overwhelmed if they suddenly find themselves in a large area.

Make sure you keep them in a specific area of the house for a few weeks until they get used to their surroundings.

Follow These Tips for New Cat Owners

Now that you know about these tips for new cat owners, you’re ready to bring your new feline friend home.

Remember to wait until the cat is at least eight weeks old, feed them the proper nutrition, work on socialization skills, and give them time to adjust.

If you enjoy these articles and you would like to learn more, check out the rest of our blog

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