If you've been thinking about adopting a cat for a while, and you've decided this is the right time to take this step, start by doing some research to find the ideal cat for your family and lifestyle! When choosing the cat to adopt, you have to take into consideration several factors, such as the cat's sex, age and history. Once you understand what you are looking for, you will have a clear idea whether it is better to adopt a foundling from an animal shelter or if you need to contact a breeder. Read on to find out more about adopting a cat!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part One: Researching Cats
Step 1. Decide what type of cat to take
Do you want a cat with a pedigree or don't you care? Purebred cats are beautiful, but they often have health problems. A non-purebred cat will be less expensive to adopt and will have fewer health and character problems.
- If you are interested in a pedigreed cat, look for reputable breeders and make sure the cat comes from someone with a lot of experience in both genetics and artificial breeding.
- Since the parents of a non-purebred cat are rarely well known, it is important to do some tests to rule out that they have diseases at the time of adoption.
Step 2. Find out what kind of breed you want
You will need to do a research to find out which cat breed suits your needs the most. Different breeds have different levels of activity and playfulness. Consider these traits to determine which breed to take:
- energy level;
- need for attention;
- affection for the owner;
- vocality;
- docility or calm;
- intelligence and independence;
- need to brush them (long or short hair);
- compatibility with other pets.
Step 3. Decide the age of the cat to adopt
Adopting a puppy can be a lot of fun, but it also takes a lot more energy and work than adopting an adult cat. Kittens have a lot of energy and are not yet independent, while an adult cat can take care of itself quite well, and tends to be less invasive in its owner's life. If there are very young children or babies in your family, it is not a good idea to adopt a puppy, as children risk not being gentle enough interacting with them.
Think about whether you would like to adopt an older cat, if you are also of a comparable age! Senior cats tend to be ignored at animal shelters, but they can make great life companions
Step 4. Do you want a boy or a girl?
Males and females behave differently before being spayed, so if you don't intend to have your cat operated on, gender is a very important factor to consider. In any case, given the abundance of stray cats and for your cat's well-being and happiness, we strongly recommend that you have him spayed.
- Male cats tend to splash urine indoors on vertical surfaces (curtains, walls, doors), want to walk around and fight, which makes them prone to disease, and are usually not a good indoor pet.
- Female cats tend to vocalize a lot when in heat and nothing will stop them from trying to leave the house to mate. If they get pregnant there is always a risk that something will go wrong with the birth, which would require expensive veterinarian interventions. Also, she needs to find a home for the many kittens she might have in her life.
Step 5. Would you like to adopt more than one cat?
Cats love to be together. If you adopt two cats, you won't have to worry about one getting bored or sad when you're not around. By adopting two cats from a cattery, you are saving two lives instead of one!
If you have a lot of space and money, you should seriously consider adopting two cats, rather than just one
Method 2 of 3: Part Two: Finding a Good Candidate
Step 1. Find out where the catteries are near you or contact a breeder
If you have decided on a pedigree cat, make an appointment with the breeder to begin the adoption process. However, the most common way is that of the catteries, they are a great place to look. The cattery staff are always friendly and will have a lot of information about cats and kittens. They will gladly help you find a suitable cat for you and your family.
Many people post ads looking for cat and puppy homes on general ad sites or in newspapers. It is often a very cheap system, but it is still a risk, to adopt a cat from an unknown person, as you cannot be sure of the cat's story
Step 2. Check that the cat is healthy
The eyes must be clear, without residue or marks. The nose should be clear and mucus-free, and the cat should not sneeze or cough. The coat must be clean, reasonably smooth and free from knots (in long-haired cats). Run your hand against the hair on its coat to check for fleas (small brown bugs moving quickly on its skin).
Kittens with "flat stomachs" may have just eaten or may have intestinal worms. You should also look for any signs of diarrhea in cats or kittens (in the litter box but also for streaks on the rear)
Step 3. Get to know several cats
After doing some research, it's important to know your potential pet. Meet the cats of your choice to try and figure out if their personalities suit you well. Consider what type of cat you think would be suitable for your home. If you have doubts about a cat's personality, ask questions of the shelter worker or the previous owner.
Are you looking for a friendly and cuddly cat? You can probably tell right away if he is, based on how he approaches you and watching if he lets himself be caressed after a short time or if he comes on your lap spontaneously. Do you want a cat with an independent personality? Some are more aloof than average
Step 4. Choose a cat and begin the adoption process
The process is different and depends on the source from which you have decided to adopt the cat. If you have chosen a shelter, you will probably have to fill out forms and pay a small fee before you can take it home.
Some shelters may ask you for details about your home environment before allowing you to adopt a cat. You can decide whether to keep the name that the old owner or the staff of the cattery had chosen, or give it a new name
Step 5. Take the cat to a vet
The cat should be tested for feline leukemia if it has not already been tested. The ears will be checked for ear mites, a common problem in puppies, and treated accordingly if necessary. The skin will also be checked for fleas or other parasites. The cat will also be examined for a possible presence of parasites (such as intestinal worms).
Even if the test is negative, the cat will likely be wormed as a preventative measure
Method 3 of 3: Part Three: Make the Home Cozy
Step 1. The cat will need to be vaccinated, spayed and microchipped
If you adopt a cat from a shelter, it will often have already undergone these operations, or you will have to do it when it reaches a certain age. Your cat will be vaccinated against distemper and rabies, but there are other vaccinations your vet may recommend. If the cat is not neutered, the first visit is a perfect time to schedule this major surgery. Implanting a microchip (a small, traceable subcutaneous chip) is also a great idea, if your cat tends to get lost when walking around.
It is not cheap to provide the best health care for a cat, but emergency treatment for preventable diseases or problems is much more expensive. Having pet insurance helps reduce excessive costs
Step 2. Get a cat litter box
You need a plastic litter box filled with sand or suitable materials. Place the litter box in an area of your home that is not too busy but easily accessible. When you bring your cat home, show him where the litter box is.
The ideal place is an outside porch or a second bathroom
Step 3. Educate the cat in the use of the litter box
Kittens will need to be taught how to use the litter box, but adult cats won't have a problem with that. It is usually quite easy. Place it in an easily accessible place and put the kitten in it, who will usually use it and then, when shown a couple more times, will get used to it. Make sure the walls are not too high so the cat can get into them easily.
Make sure you clean the litter box every day and change the sand every week. If you leave your cat outside often, he will probably go to the toilet outside and you won't need to clean the litter box as often
Step 4. Provide the cat with food and water
You need bowls of food and water that the cat has access to all the time. Place treats in the food bowl, replacing them regularly with wet food. Change the water regularly, so that it is always fresh and clean. Adult cats do not need milk and cream, in fact, it could cause them intestinal problems.
- Follow the directions on the cat's food package. Cats can have freedom of choice of food (as long as they don't overeat), or they can be fed three times a day. Don't overdo eating habits, as obesity in cats can predispose them to serious illnesses like diabetes.
- Feed a puppy suitable food for up to one year of age. Then move on to feeding him adult cat food with a transition period of 7-10 days.
Step 5. The cat will also need a scratcher and toys
Cats need to scratch for their behavioral health. If they don't have a scratching post, they will likely let off steam on wooden furniture and other items. If you find cat nails lying around the house, don't worry - cats lose their claws and replace them normally. If you want to trim your cat's claws for the safety of your family or others, make sure you get veterinary advice first to make sure you don't harm your cat. Trimming your cat's nails should only be done if it is really necessary, as cats use their claws for many different things, and their life is easier when they are sharp and uncut.
Games, stuffed mice, balls, etc. they will give your cat a way to get distracted and exercise spontaneously
Step 6. Decide if you want to allow him to go outside
Cats, unlike dogs, should not be taken out of the house regularly or exercised. They will be happy, as long as we always have stimuli and games. That said, some cats love the fresh air outside. If you let your cat out, make sure he always has an easy way to get back in. Some cat owners install a small pet door (the cat flap) so their cats can enter or leave as they please.
Step 7. Socialize the cat
Some cats that have limited human contact may be uncomfortable around people. If your cat runs away, hides and hisses or spits if he can't get free, it's not a sign of aggression but only fear. Place his kennel in a room in the house where there is a lot of people, such as the kitchen or living room, so that he can slowly get used to TV, radio and normal everyday human activity.
Go easy. Don't force the cat to interact. Let it come to you little by little
Step 8. Let the cat get to know you
Use small bites (less than a phalanx) of canned food on the tip of a spoon to draw the kitten towards you. With very fearful kittens blowing and running away, wear leather gloves to prevent them from hurting you by biting your hands. Wrap the kitten in a towel leaving only the head out - this calms the kitten and protects you from scratching
Keep the kitten close to your body so that the heat and heartbeat will calm him down. Do this for a couple of hours a day to get familiar with you. You will know that you have been successful when the kitten is comfortable enough to purr and fall asleep while holding you
Step 9. Take care of your cat
Now that you have a new cat in your home, make sure all family members know how to treat and care for him. Teach the children not to be too rude and gently introduce the cat to the other pets in the house so that they don't get scared. Always pay attention to your cat's eating and intestinal habits. They are one of the biggest indicators of a disease.
