Welcoming a new cat into your life is always an exciting time but if you’re a first-time pet owner, there are several tips you can employ to prepare your home and help make the process a little easier.
UK-based cat charity, Cats Protection, has shared a list of helpful hints via their TikTok channel to get owners ready for the arrival of their new furry friend.
Create a quiet space
The video from Cats Protection features six main tips on how to prepare for a new cat as well as a few more basic ones grouped together.
“First up, you need to create a quiet, comfortable secluded place of their own with a bed,” says the presenter.
“Yes, most cats might not end up using their designated bed, but it’s important to provide a bed or blanket when they first move in.”
Somewhere to hide
Cats can be very shy creatures, particularly when in a new environment and surrounded by new people.
Having somewhere to hide, such as a cardboard box with holes cut in the sides and a blanket placed inside can be perfect for helping them feel safe and secure.
High vantage point
Felines famously enjoy surveying their surroundings from high vantage points.
“Provide them something high that they can get onto like a climbing tower or even just clear some space for them to get on top of a shelf or a wardrobe,” recommends the Cats Protection presenter.
Remove toxic plants
The last thing you want is to accidentally poison your cats by letting them chew on a toxic houseplant.
“Make sure you remove toxic plants or flowers from around your home, particularly lilies,” warns the presenter.
Other plants that are toxic to our feline friends include Christmas cactus, maidenhair fern, orchids, peperomia, prayer plants, parlor palm, spider plant, sword fern, and string of hearts.
Allow the cat to acclimatize
To help your new cat familiarize themselves with their new home, it can be a huge boost to let them get used to the scent of you and your house before they move in.
“If possible, take a piece of clothing or a blanket from your home and leave it with them for a few days before you pick them up,” recommends the Cats Protection presenter.
Toys and puzzles
If your cat is likely going to spend a lot of time indoors, then they will need plenty of toys or puzzles to help keep them stimulated.
If you’re looking for somewhere to start, “fishing rod toys are particularly great.”
The basics
As well as a few of the more potentially niche considerations mentioned above, you will need to prepare your home for the arrival of your new cat with a few more essentials.
These include a litter tray, a scratching post so they don’t scratch up the furniture as well as food and water bowls.
Ideally, you want to place their food and water apart from each other. This is because in the wild, cats get their food and water from different places and they’re less comfortable having them both placed together.
