Many animal lovers wish to have pets in their homes, but most do not know where to start or what is required to care for a pet at home. This blog post will discuss essential information that people who want to own a cat for the first time should know before adopting, as well as the basic needs of our feline friends.

Responsibility

First and foremost, it is important to understand that owning a pet comes with significant responsibilities. You need to ensure that you are financially and emotionally prepared. If you do not spend much time at home or if your job or lifestyle requires you to be away frequently and for long periods, you should reconsider adopting a pet. Remember that pets are like children; they need your attention and care.

Veterinary Health Checkups

If you are adopting a kitten, there will be a vaccination schedule that needs to be followed to protect against diseases. You should discuss and create this schedule with your veterinarian. Some of these vaccines need to be repeated annually to maintain their effectiveness. In addition to vaccinations, do not neglect routine internal and external parasite treatments (as recommended by your veterinarian) to protect both you and your pets from zoonotic and parasitic diseases. If you are adopting an adult cat, you should visit veterinary health centers for annual vaccinations and routine antiparasitic treatments. Additionally, to facilitate the early diagnosis and treatment of potential chronic diseases in adult cats, we recommend taking your pet for a general check-up every six months.

Financial Costs

To meet your pet’s basic needs, you will need to purchase equipment such as a litter box, litter, food, water bowl, carrier, malt, scratching post, toys, and a cat brush. Additionally, you must be financially prepared for veterinary health services.

You should clean your cat’s litter daily. Otherwise, they may relieve themselves in undesirable areas of your home.

Consult your veterinarian about the appropriate food for your pet, considering their age and dietary needs.

Research indicates that plastic food bowls can cause chin acne in cats, so it is recommended to use glass or porcelain bowls.

To prevent the transmission of parasites and bacteria that may be present in tap water, always provide your cat with drinking water and refresh it daily to encourage proper hydration.

Choose a carrier that fits your cat’s size and travel frequency. This will also ensure comfort during veterinary visits for both you and your pet.

Cats clean themselves by licking, and in doing so, they ingest some of their fur. This fur can form hairballs in their stomachs, which can lead to vomiting or even intestinal blockages. Providing malt can help prevent these issues, aiding your cat’s overall health.

Cats are very energetic animals. To help them expend this energy, you can engage in exercises or provide toys. Additionally, a scratching post will help control your cat’s energy and protect your furniture from damage.

Regularly brushing your cat’s fur is beneficial for their coat health and is an activity that many cats enjoy.

Love and Attention

Your pets might be a small part of your life, but to them, you are their entire world. When they are alone at home during the day, they can get bored, so remember to give them love and attention.

Private Space

Just like humans, cats like to have a calm and comfortable space for themselves. They can be severely affected by stress. Therefore, make sure that the area where you will keep your cat is at least 50 square meters.

Precautions

Keep detergents, medications, and other hazardous chemicals in a secure place where your cat cannot access them. If you live in an apartment or a high-rise building, install screens on windows to prevent your cat from falling. Some houseplants can be extremely toxic to cats if ingested. Ensure these plants are out of reach or avoid having them in your home altogether.

As individuals concerned with animal health, our most important advice when adopting a cat is to choose a stray animal in need over buying one. Many genetic disorders have arisen in specially bred animals, affecting their overall well-being and subjecting them to painful and uncomfortable living conditions. Adopt a pet to help meet their care and shelter needs and to gain a loving companion, rather than simply for their appearance.

Bu blog yazısı Vet. Hek. Elif KENAR tarafından doğrulanmıştır.