7 Tips for Taking Care of Pet Cats You Should Know / Don't Rush to Bring a Cat Home

1. Don't Rush to Bring a Cat Home Never separate a kitten from its mother and siblings before 8 weeks of age. The early months are vital for their physical and emotional development. According to the American Animal Association, kittens who nurse from their mothers are protected against certain diseases. Experts recommend keeping kittens with their mothers until they are weaned (about the first 8 weeks of life). Interaction with their mother and siblings also teaches them social skills, which can prevent behavioral problems later on.

2. Proper Nutrition for Better Cat Care One of the key aspects of cat care is ensuring proper nutrition. Until the end of the third month, avoid giving foods other than kitten food and wet food. These specially formulated foods provide the essential nutrients needed for their growth. Most veterinarians recommend feeding them these special foods until they are one year old. Don’t forget to provide plenty of fresh water.

3. Socialize Your Kitten It's important to socialize your kitten early. Exposing them to different people and animals helps them develop positive behaviors that last a lifetime. A kitten that isn't properly socialized may become fearful or aggressive toward humans. The prime socialization period for kittens is between 3 to 9 weeks, but the opportunities for socialization continue through the first year of life. Gradually introduce your kitten to various household members, friends, and other pets, and allow them to experience activities like grooming and vet visits.

4. Use Cat Toys If you plan to keep a cat, you should also get appropriate cat toys. Teach them that human hands are not toys to prevent them from attacking people’s hands. Never play with cats using your hands; always use toys. If a cat bites or scratches you, establish a consequence to discourage this behavior. Allowing this behavior to continue will result in a cat that bites and scratches during play and in stressful situations, which can create problems when visiting the vet or interacting with children or new people.

5. Interact with Your Cat Regularly Regular interaction with your cat is essential. Cats that interact with humans from around 10 to 12 weeks of age tend to be more sociable than those without regular human contact. Help your pet get used to being petted, groomed, and picked up. Do not avoid touching and grooming your cat. With regular, gentle practice, they will gradually become comfortable with these interactions.

6. Avoid Overprotecting Your Cat Initially, your pet may be frightened by new sounds, movements, and events in their environment. Gradually introduce them to new sights, sounds, and smells. Expose them to different flooring types like wood, tile, ceramic, and carpet. They should also become familiar with a variety of toys with different textures, colors, and shapes. Over time, they will feel comfortable with various stimuli.

7. Limit the Space for a New Cat When bringing a new cat home, don’t immediately give them access to the entire house. This can overwhelm and stress them. Cats prefer to start exploring in a small area. Once they adapt to this small space, gradually expand their territory. Too much space too soon can cause fear and stress, leading them to hide and potentially create issues with litter box usage. Instead, follow a “slow and steady” approach. Place your new cat in a single room with all their necessities (food, water, litter box, toys). After some time, allow them to explore other rooms under your supervision, but return them to their initial room when you leave the house or go to bed. After one to two weeks, they can venture out more confidently, knowing they have a “safe space” to return to if they feel stressed.

Conclusion

We hope these tips help you take better care of your cat. If you decide to adopt a cat, following these guidelines will ensure you provide the best care possible. Feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section with us and others.