If you have just adopted a new feline family member - congratulations! We would love to see photos and updates through our Facebook group for TCH Cat Alumni! Scan the QR code to join the Facebook group TCH lounge cats… ADOPTED!

Bringing home your new cat

●      The best way to get your familiar with your home is by keeping them in a bathroom or bedroom for the first few days.

●      Cats can get overwhelmed with too much space. DO NOT let your cat free roam your entire house when you first take them home. This will stress them out and they may display fear or aggression. That is why a smaller space like your bathroom is a great place to start.

●      Place the litter box, food/water bowls, bedding in the smaller space and spend as much time in there with the cat.

●      If you have other cats or dogs, let them sniff under the door but DO NOT let them meet on the first day. This can be stressful for both the new cat and resident pets. Let them get used to each other’s presence at their own pace.

●      Never leave your new cat unsupervised with other pets until a relationship is established

 What is a good feeding schedule for my new cat/kitten?

●      At TCH, we use the Kirkland brand Cat Maintenance purple bag that is all life stages for dry food.

●      Our lounge cats also get a can of wet food at least once a day.

 ●      We recommend feeding wet food once a day for the rest of their lives. Cats tend to not drink enough water on their own, so feeding them wet food at least once a day helps supplement their water intake.

 ●      Once the kitten is a year old, they are considered an adult and should transition to scheduled feeding in order to prevent boredom and overeating. For example, you can feed ¼ cup of kibble for breakfast, and then a can of wet food for dinner

 ●      Cats typically gravitate towards running water. They may drink more from a pet water fountain. Regardless of providing a water fountain, or a water bowl, please consistently clean them!

 What type of litter do we use?

●      We use pine pellets here ($8 at Tractor Supply for a 40 lb bag!) but you can use whatever you think is best. Just make sure it’s fragrance free and provide two litter boxes per one cat. Clean it daily and we also recommend getting air purifier(s) as well.

 What if my cat urinates outside the litterbox?

●      Cats have the natural urge even as kittens to use a litterbox. Sometimes accidents happen but if accidents are more common it will usually occur because of stress/anxiety or sickness.

●      Please make litter boxes accessible and at least one on each floor of your home.

●      Cats can be picky and might prefer a bigger litterbox, different litter type, different bathroom location, etc

●      Feliway wall plug-ins and using cat calming spray in the house are both very helpful with calming down cats.

●      Take your cat to a vet if the problem persists.

 Cat proofing my home?

●      Don’t risk leaving the door open even if it’s for one second, even the chillest cat might sneak out accidently. Only let them outside if they are supervised with a secure leash/harness or cat stroller.

●      It’s important not to leave food out on countertops and to put it away in cabinets, fridge, or microwave.

●      Cat proofing hazardous items is always a good idea. Please be mindful of hazardous items sitting out such as medications, cleaning supplies/chemicals, cords, etc.

●      Some plants and flowers are poisonous to cats! Please be mindful of what is around your home that your cat can get into.

●      Be prepared for items to be knocked over, anything breakable should be protected with display covers, cabinets, or putting items out of reach on shelves that are unattainable.

 How to prevent a cat from scratching at furniture?

●      Always provide the cat with their own items that they can scratch on. Such as cat trees, cardboard scratchers, etc.

●      Trim your cat’s nails at least once a week or at least once a month.

●      Cats learn through positive reinforcement and can be encouraged through cat furniture/catnip, treats, etc

 How to trim cat nails?

●      Every cat will have a different method on how you can get their nails. Nails can be trimmed by pressing on the paw pad to retract the nail, cutting from angle, and avoiding the pink part (only cut white/clear.)

●      One way is squeezing a whole tube of a Churu treat on the floor as a distraction and getting their nails cut that way.

●      Another way is getting them on their back in your lap. Or getting on your knees and having the cat’s back side against your legs so if they try to pull away, they’re pulling into you.

●      Sometimes, the best one is getting those nails while they’re asleep! If all else fails, go to your primary vet clinic to get them trimmed.

What are some places to get your cat groomed?

●      Cats are clean animals and do not require baths as frequently as dogs do, if any.

●      Not all cats will need grooming, but most medium to long domestic cats will need an occasional groom/hair cut. It helps to brush their coat once a week at least, if you have a medium/long haired cat then it will be more often.

●      Contact your local pet groomer or vet office to ask if they groom cats.

Veterinary Care:

●      It’s important to stay up to date with vaccinations and knowing when the next vaccines are due.

●      Dental care is also important especially if your cat is showing signs of gingivitis or dental disease, dentals can be done annually at your vet.

●      If cats are showing signs of illness or if you have any other questions during the first week of bringing home your new kitty, please contact the rescue you’ve adopted from.

 What to do when leaving for vacation or going out of town?

●      It’s important to not leave your cat alone if you’re going on vacation. Cats need attention and someone to provide them their food on their feeding schedule. You can ask a family member or a friend to watch them while you're gone. Some vet clinics offer cat boarding.

 KITTENS:

 Feedings:

●      When adopting a kitten, it’s important to feed them kitten specific food (both dry and wet) until they reach one years old.

●      It is best for your kitten to have access to kitten dry food 24/7. And also feeding them wet food once a day.

●      Once the kitten is a year old, they are considered an adult and should transition to scheduled feeding in order to prevent boredom and overeating.

●      For example, you can feed ¼ cup of kibble for breakfast, and then a can of wet food for dinner

 Desensitization:

●      Make sure you’re desensitizing them as well. For example, touching their paws a lot will lead to better handling in trimming their nails or for future vet visits.

●      Brushing them.

●      Getting them used to water in case you do need to give them an emergency bath. Desensitizing them to the cat carrier so they don’t associate it with a negative experience.

●      Dental care/brushing teeth.