Getting Ready for Your New Cat or Kitten

Before you arrange to pick up your new companion, you should make sure your house is ready. You need to “cat proof” your home and purchase the basic equipment needed for your cat.

Cat-Proofing

Cats are curious by nature, and they love to climb and jump on top of high places. When your cat is getting used to her new surroundings, she will be doing a lot of investigating and exploring. You need to make sure your home is safe and secure, basically go through your home as if you were bringing home a toddler - follow these guidelines;

1. Check all windows and screens to make sure they are very strong. Cats can push weak or torn screens out from the frame or tear them. Cats can escape even from second or third story (or higher!) windows and may injure themselves in the process. It is best to install new steel screens, or place metal grilles such as the ones available for screen doors over windows you wish to keep open. If in doubt, place pieces of wood in the window runner to stop it from opening more than an inch or so, cats are stronger than you think!
2. If you have a balcony, make sure the cat cannot get access to it unless it is fully enclosed. Cats often try to leap onto railings or after a bird and may fall. Balconies are not safe places for cats.
3. Remove plants that may be poisonous. Cats love to chew plants, and some cats may use potted plants as a litter box, so try to hang all plants out of reach or move them outside. If you are not sure if your plants are poisonous to cats, ask your vet. Common plants that are poisonous include; philodendrons, ferns, all lillies, and pointsettias.
4. Lock up all cleaning supplies, drain openers, and other poisonous substances. Place them in a sealable plastic container with a latched lid. Make sure antifreeze is not accessible and do not allow your cat in your garage where leaked fluids can poison her. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste of antifreeze and other toxic substances.
5. Check for pest poisons and remove them. Rat poison, ant and roach poison and rodent traps are all dangerous to cats. If you rent your home or recently moved in, do a thorough check for existing poisons, sometimes they are left behind by previous tenants. Check the back of all cupboards, drawers, closets, etc. Cats can become sick or die from eating the poison or from rats or insects that have ingested the poison.
6. Put away breakable items, especially on bookshelves and countertops where cats may investigate.
7. Remove dangling cords such as the strings from blinds and phone cords, or wrap them up and securely tie them out of reach. Cats can’t resist playing with these items and can become entangled and hang or choke. Tie up cords from blinds near the top of the window, and secure loose power cords and cables with ties out of reach or behind furniture. Some cats may also chew electrical cords and could be electrocuted – make sure your cords are tucked away or encase them in plastic cord-keeper tubes.
8. Pick up any small, swallowable items and strings. Rubber bands, paper clips, string, thumb tacks, broken balloons, tree tinsel and other small articles are tempting play objects for cats, but pose a choking hazard. String can cut the intestines if swallowed. Important: if your cat ever swallows string, NEVER pull the string out from either end – you can cause internal damage. Call your vet immediately, and if the string is very long, cut the string near the cat.
9. Set aside a "safe room" for your new arrival. Put her food dish, water, litter box, toys, scratching post and bed in it. Give this room a thorough going over. Once kitty is comfortable in her new surroundings, it will be time to let her explore the rest of your happily cat-proofed home.
   

Shopping List

A collar and temporary ID tag will be provided by SCN when you pick up your cat. The rest of these items you will need to purchase if you don’t already have them;

1. Food. We recommend a high quality grain-free canned food. Avoid by-products, artificial colors and preservatives. Feeding a more expensive food is cheaper in the long run; high quality food is made with good meat and is more digestible so less will be wasted in the litter box (another advantage – less stool!). Your cat will be healthier and less prone to disease and will shed less hair. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or your Adoption Guide for feeding instructions.
2. Litter box & Litter Scoop. The bigger the box the better! Cats like room to turn around and dig. Higher sides will help avoid spills. Covered boxes should be large enough for the cat to turn around in and stand up straight.
3. Litter. We recommend either clumping: World’s Best Cat Litter, Swheat Scoop, Dr Elesey's Precious Cat Ultra or non-clumping: any plain non-scented litter like Johnny Cat. Avoid clay clumping litter (Scoop Away, Tidy Cat, etc.) and silica bead litters, as they may be toxic if ingested, never use scented litter or pine litter, many cats are repelled by the smell.
4. Dishes. Use some from your kitchen or get special ones for your cat, just make sure they are wide and shallow enough for your cat’s face. Ceramic or stainless steel is recommended because plastic dishes harbour bacteria which can cause feline acne on the chin.
5. Scratching post. It is best to provide your cat with a large cat tree or post, but make sure you have at least a cardboard scratching box available. You want to start good habits from the beginning. Cats like to scratch things right away in a new home because they mark territory that way – so provide a suitable outlet for this urge. Ideas for building your own.
6. Cat Carrier. We recommend the sturdy solid plastic type. Get one big enough for an adult cat to stand and turn around in comfortably.
7. Toys. Simple cat-approved toys include ping pong balls, stuffed catnip mice, and laser pointers. Interactive toys such as feather wands or cat charmers are great but should not be left with the cat, as they will destroy the toy or possibly choke on it. No items smaller than a ping pong ball should be allowed, because they are a choking hazard.
8. Brush. Grooming your cat not only reduces sheeding and makes her look great, it is a great way to bond. Start with a soft-bristled brush. Later try a slicker or rubber curry brush, but some cats are ticklish and object to some types of brushes.
9. Bed. (optional): An old pillow may be chosen by the cat, but many cats adore nest-type beds sold in pet stores. Others will ignore any bed you provide and choose the sofa.