My wife and kids convinced it would be a good idea and thing to do. They brought home from the SPCA and I was still pretty skeptical. That being said the thing is laying on my chest purring its heart out for the last 20 minutes while I watch Match of the Day. I think I'm in love!
Anyone have any do's or do nots for new cat owners? Especially litter box tips.
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Don't; trust them. Can't only care about you when they want food, they will eventually try to kill you. By eventually I mean right now, sitting on your chest puurring is just the cat making you let your guard down.
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Stay on top of trimming their nails (unless you like shredded furniture). Every time you see your cat starting to claw something it's not supposed to, have a look at the claws as it's probably getting close to trimming time.
Cats CAN be taught, but it's a matter of a lot of consistency. If you don't want them on the kitchen table, you can't ever let them on there. Pick a method of punishment that's consistent, easy to apply, and obvious. A spray bottle on a tight aim works well. If you pick a unique bottle shape, you will only have to brandish the bottle at the cat after a little while.
Cats are oddly social creatures. Expect it to pick one or two humans and follow them around. If you are the only person around, it'll probably want to be in the same room with you (this comes into play when you want to sleep at night...) but it probably won't want to be in reach of you.
Cats are pretty awesome pets, all told.
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We got a litter box with a lid on it. Good investment. Our cat tends to show anger or frustration through the litter, so with the old one without the lid he sometimes left piles of litter outside the box (maybe because it wasn't clean enough for his liking or something).
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Stay on top of trimming their nails (unless you like shredded furniture). Every time you see your cat starting to claw something it's not supposed to, have a look at the claws as it's probably getting close to trimming time.
I like to spray them with water. It's hilarious.
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Location: Close enough to make a beer run during a TV timeout
Exp:
I'm not a cat person; but I think it's a good sign that he is laying on your chest. I seem to recall that shows a level of trust. (or plotting against you; as was already mentioned.)
I will recommend going to the dollar store and buying a laser pointer. Not for shooting at the cat, but for giving it something to chase. Drives most cats I know bonkers trying to get the dot.
(Of course, I only recommend this for the exercise value for your pet.)
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We got a litter box with a lid on it. Good investment. Our cat tends to show anger or frustration through the litter, so with the old one without the lid he sometimes left piles of litter outside the box (maybe because it wasn't clean enough for his liking or something).
Oh, yeah, this is a big one. That's one of the fastest ways you will know that your cat isn't happy with you. They start kicking everything in the litter box out (the box is usually too dirty) or they start GOING outside of the box (pretty much anything else).
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First of all, congrats! Glad you got it at the SPCA and enjoy the purrs. I agree with the litter box lid part. Also, clean it every day - cats are clean by nature, but if you encourage them to be more so, they'll be really clean and will help prevent "cat smell" in your house.
Best cat toy ever - get a box, cut some holes in the sides, with one big enough to crawl into (the cat, not you) and let it just hang out in there and do its cat thing.
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Cats DO cause assorted respiratory issues in some people, including myself. Be cognizant of that and watch the kids closely over the next few weeks. Even guests will need to be warned if they have an allergy.
I do like cats, they really are trying to kill me.
For the litter box buy a big rubbermaid or equivalent box with a lid on a hinge and then cut an access door in one side. Make sure you cut the door high enough so the litter will stay in. It's a great litter box because it's big enough to contain everything.
Nail clipping. Our vet recommended using a pair of large human clippers instead of the pet specific ones. The pet ones cut from the top and usually crush the nail first. Use the human clippers from the side of the nail. I find it also helps you see the nail and the quick in the nail so you don't go too deep. Having a scratching post or two helps and cats seem to love these corrugated cardboard scratching pads.
Laser pointers are fun for cats if used with caution. Even low level ones can affect eyes so use only on rugs or carpet. On a hard surface like vinyl or hardwood the light will bounce and it could be harmful. It might also be a thing you want to keep away from kids as they could blind each other with them.
We have these balls with a jingle in them the cat goes nuts for. They look like a ping pong ball sized whiffle ball. Cat loves it as she can grab it with her teeth and carry it around. I believe they are called Midnight Crazies or something like that, comes in a pack of 8. Best toy we've ever gotten the cat by far.
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If your cat shows any interest in scratching get some double sided tape and put it on the vertical corners of the furniture in question (or wherever they're trying to scratch). Leave it on for a couple of weeks and they will never try it again. Our cats shredded our last couch but we tried tape on our new couch and it's pristine after 4 years.
You can buy a product specifically for cats, but I assume any double sided tape would work as long as it doesn't damage the furniture.
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Adopted a Cat today....
