Adopting a cat can be one of the best decisions you will ever make; however, for first-time pet owners, bringing a new animal into your home can be a challenge. You might be uncertain of how they will interact with you and your family, you may be unsure of what items they will need, and you might not initially understand their behavior and temperament. Even for animals like cats that are somewhat self-sufficient, there is still maintenance and responsibilities that are involved. Many times people are intimidated by the thought of adopting a cat because of everything that is involved with caring for them.
These uncertainties shouldn’t deter you from adopting a cat, however. Reading about cats, researching tips and investing in innovative products that will take some of that work off your hands may encourage those who were initially hesitating, to take that leap and keep one less pet out of a shelter by bringing them into your loving home. Check out these important tips that will make adopting a cat easy and stress-free.
Is Adopting a Cat Right For You?
According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are approximately 30 to 40 million stray, feral, or abandoned cats living throughout the country. Sadly, 70% of cats in shelters end up being euthanized despite being healthy or treatable. Oftentimes, people who are interested in adopting a cat decide against it for numerous reasons including not wanting to clean up after them or concern about leaving them alone.
In light of current circumstances, a surge of people have graciously made the decision that it is the right time for fostering or adopting a cat or dog. Whether it is to help those who can no longer care for their pets during this time of Covid-19 or to help with their own loneliness while in isolation, this is a great opportunity to welcome a new pet into your home. Many people are working from home and barely leaving home which gives you more time to get a newly adopted pet used to you, your home, and your family.
Read More: 6 Tips For Keeping Your Pet Happy, Healthy, and Safe in the New Year
Tips For Bringing Home A New Cat
Provide a Safe Room
It can be frightening for a cat to enter a new environment, causing them stress and anxiety. When you bring your new cat home for the first time, create a safe room for them to become acclimated. It is recommended that immediately after adopting a cat, they remain in the safe room for at least a week so they can gradually adapt to the living space. This area should be a sanctuary for them to provide them with a place to feel safe and secure. The “safe room” should be uncluttered, quiet, and clean as well as have necessary items such as water, food, a cat bed, toys, scratch pads, and a litter box.
Give Them Space
Although it is exciting after adopting a cat to bring them back home with you, it can be overwhelming for them especially if there are multiple people, children, and other pets living in the house. It is best, in the beginning, to give them their space and let them become used to their new family on their own time. If you have children, they may want to run to the cat and try to snuggle and squeeze them; however, you will have a more successful transition if you allow the cat to decide when they are ready to approach the members of the family.
Cat-Proof Your Home
If you have never had a cat before, you are about to find out that after adopting a cat you will have to do a little rearranging in your home. Nothing major, but fragile, breakable items that are of value or have sentimental meaning to you must be hidden or put in a place that your cat can’t get to. Additionally, you must remove hazards such as dangling electrical cords that the cat may be tempted to swat or chew on as well as locking up household chemicals that they might knock over or try to ingest. Windows and doors must also be kept secured or locked to prevent your cat from escaping.
Read More: Houseplant Safety For Pets
Keep Other Pets Separated
Keeping your new pet away from other pets that are already in your home is important for the health and safety of both animals. After adopting a cat, it beneficial for them to stay in that safe room you created for them for at least seven to ten days. This not only gives them time to learn about the environment but also prevents the spread of any illnesses to your other animals that the adopted cat may have been exposed to while in the wild or in a shelter. Delay introducing your new kitty to their new fur-brothers and sisters until they have been checked by a vet.
Read More: Pet Allergens-Facts and Tips
Prepare The Litter Box
All indoor cats will require a litter box in your home. Inside the litter box must be enough litter for the cat to dig and cover their waste after using the litter box which is a natural behavior. An inadequate amount of litter will prevent waste from being properly absorbed and may cause odors. On the other hand, it is important not to overfill the litter box so the litter doesn’t get kicked out or tracked everywhere. There are numerous types of litter you can select when shopping for supplies after adopting a cat; however, sometimes they will select it for you.
You will be able to realize your cat’s litter preference if you notice they are avoiding the litter box and going to the bathroom outside of it. When choosing a litter, an all-natural clumping litter will be appreciated by both you and your feline. Litterbox.com has created a high-quality litter that is hypoallergenic, soft in texture, and has no additives or perfumes. Made from sun-dried sodium bentonite clay, the All-Natural Clumping Litter is a top choice for cats but their humans will also love it because it is dust-free and clumps quickly which reduces unwanted smells in your home. Litterbox.com also has a subscription service that allows you to have litter shipped directly to your door on a regular basis.
After adopting a cat you will need to determine a place to put their litter box. It is best to place it in an area that is easy to access and not in a small corner or closet where they will feel trapped. A litter box should be kept clean by removing the clumps of used litter each day. Not regularly cleaning your cat’s litter box can consume your house with unpleasant and dangerous odors, cause health problems for both you and your kitty, and force your pet to go to the bathroom in alternative places inside your home. If you love your cats but hate this part of being a cat owner, let us introduce you to the Litter-Robot.
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All-Natural Clumping Litter
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Litter-Robot 3 Connect
Cat owners rejoice! No more sticking your hands into your pet’s “toilet”, no more digging through the litter to find clumps of animal waste, no more nasty odors, and no more changing out the litter. The Litter-Robot 3 Connect is unlike any litter box on the market. This is an automatic, self-cleaning litter box that literally does all the work for you. Let’s face it. We love our cats but we don’t love cleaning their waste. With this litter box, there is no more scooping, sifting, or cleaning; a priceless perk for not only you but also your cat as the Litter-Robot gives them a clean bed of litter each time they use it.
To spend more time with your new fur-baby instead of cleaning up after them, one-of-a-kind products such as the Litter-Robot will not only help with your everyday life but also make you a better pet owner. Additionally, if you work long hours or leave your home for long periods of time, you may worry about your cat’s litter box getting too full. With the self-cleaning technology, you will know that your cat always has a clean litter box.
The odor management is a benefit of the Litter-Robot 3 that both you and your houseguests will appreciate. Within minutes of your cat using it, the Litter-Robot gets to work, sifting through the waste and transferring it to the carbon-filtered, fully-enclosed waste drawer. The Litter-Robot 3 Connect not only saves you the time and hassle of cleaning your cat’s litter box, but it will also save you money. Cat owners with a traditional litter box tend to waste litter that is actually still clean when they are scooping or sifting through waste. The Litter-Robot can prevent unnecessary litter disposal, reducing your litter usage by up to 50%.
You should purchase all the items they will need prior to adopting a cat so they can feel more comfortable once they arrive at your home. As soon as your Litter-Robot is delivered, it is ready to go. There are no complicated instructions and no assembly required. All you have to do is plug it in and fill it with litter. Any litter of your choice will work with the Litter-Robot 3 Connect and no special bags are required to collect the used litter in the waste drawer.
The Litter-Robot 3 Connect has all the same great features as the original Litter-Robot, except now you are able to remotely monitor your cat’s litter box usage using the Connect app. Yes, that’s right, there is an app for your cat’s litter box! Through this app you can receive notifications about the waste drawer level of the Litter-Robot 3 which allows you to know when it is time to empty the contents without having to constantly check if your box is full of used litter.
Adopting a cat requires the proper care and attention to make sure they have a happy, healthy life. In addition to sending notifications about the litter box itself, the Connect App can also provide important health information about your feline friend. Loving your cat means caring about their well-being and Litter-Robot understands that which is why they included this key feature in the app.
After adopting a cat you will find out that they can be secretive and you may not be aware of every time they go to the bathroom; however, the Litter-Robot 3 Connect will track your cat’s usage, giving you insight on their daily, weekly, or monthly habits to ensure they are maintaining a regular bathroom schedule. If you’ve ever been asked when the last time your cat used the litter box by your veterinarian, you know this is a difficult question to answer. But thanks to the Connect App you can simply view the history to see the times of each cycle which allows both you and your vet to understand your cat’s behavior better.
Through the settings, you can adjust the wait times to schedule when you want your Litter-Robot to cycle including Sleep Mode which will delay cycling while you are asleep. You can also choose to utilize the night light which will automatically turn on when it becomes dark. This feature is especially helpful for elderly cats or cats with vision problems that have difficulty finding their litter box at night. The Litter-Robot will even clean on command if you choose to run the cycle when you are away from your home. This app is available for both Apple and Android users.
Aside from adopting a cat, purchasing the Litter-Robot 3 will be the best decision you’ve ever made. Your cat going to the bathroom should not be something you have to frequently think about. Instead, spend your time cuddling up to your new fur-baby and let Litter-Robot handle the rest. The Litter-Robot 3 Connect is available in grey or beige and there are several accessories and components to choose from to customize your Litter-Robot.
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Litter-Robot 3 Connect
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It doesn’t have to be difficult to add a cat to your family. Generally, cats are low-maintenance, independent, clean, and require little grooming. They are also good for your mental health and well-being as they provide emotional support through their love and affection. Adopting a cat is a special moment. You are not only helping an animal find a good home but you are also gaining a new furry-friend that will give you joy, purpose, and companionship.
WANT TO READ MORE?
If adopting a cat isn’t in the cards and a dog is on your mind instead, check out this
New Puppy Checklist: 10 Essentials To Add To Your List.
Sources: Humane Society
Photo Credits: Sasha Staton
