6 Best Tips for New Cat Owners

Welcoming a new cat into the family is a fun experience. But, it takes planning and lots of care to look after a cat properly.

One thing you might not expect to do is cat grooming. If that takes you by surprise, here are 6 other tips for new cat owners that you might have overlooked.

1. Get in with a vet early

You might already know this one, but it’s worth mentioning. Find a good veterinarian before you actually need one. Ask friends and family about good vets nearby and arrange an appointment to meet them.

It’s best if your new cat has some awareness of the vet before you take them there when they’re ill. Meeting new people can add extra stress to an already stressful experience.

2. Don’t underestimate cat grooming

Cat grooming is important for your pet’s health. Cat de-matting is necessary for longhaired breeds, as not grooming them can lead to skin problems. It’s possible to book a cat haircut, but it’s much harder to do than a dog haircut.

3. Clip their claws – but not too often

Cats use their claws for climbing and balance; they’re more important to the animal than a dog’s nails. You can still do cat nail clips if necessary, but never more than once a month.

A better option is to get a scratching post, as this allows your pet to keep its claws short and sharp in a natural way.

4. Empty their litter box every day

Forgetting to empty your cat’s litter box is a mistake you’ll only make once or twice. A quality cat litter will clump up when wet, making it easy to remove both ones and twos.

Every few days, be sure to completely empty it and wash the tray with soap. Don’t flush cat litter down the toilet or put it in a food waste bin. It needs to go in with general trash.

5. You can bathe a cat if you’re willing to try

The stereotype of cats hating water exists for a reason. While not true of every cat, it’s definitely a common thing. But if you train them from an early age, cat bathing should be much easier.

Try not to bathe them more than once a month, as cat bathing removes their coat’s natural oils and can be damaging if done too regularly.

6. Socializing is important

The prime socialization period for a cat is 2-12 weeks, so be sure to spend as much time with them as possible. In fact, set aside some time each day to play with your cat. The more time you spend with them, the happier they’ll be.

Conclusion

Proper cat grooming is one of the best ways to care for your new pet. Develop a clear schedule for cat de-matting and cat grooming, but don’t worry if they don’t enjoy cat bathing.

The most important thing is to be aware of your cat’s health, including its physical appearance, and watch out for any bad signs.