The holidays have passed, the tree has been put away and new toys litter the house. It was a wonderful Christmas, but one thing, one gift request from my kiddos this year remained unfulfilled. Oh, they received plenty of lovely gifts from family and they are not missing a thing, but that one request, well, it was sort of/kind of/a little bit on my wish list to. That mysterious “thing” was a new cat. I grew up with my sweet Georgie, our cat from the time I was 9 months old until we both turned 18. The first six years of my married life were blessed with Tango, my black beauty. But now, well, since Tango passed away over 12 years ago we have remained pet-less. Serious talk has been given to changing that situation, but we have not yet taken the plunge.
To help encourage family discussion about owning a cat and the responsibilities that come with it, I thought it would be a good idea to have the kids help me make a list of of things we would need to do to prepare. Here is what we came up with:
- Do some reading: Both the kids and I agreed that we should do a little research on owning a pet. We can check out different breeds, see if there are ones that are more allergy friendly than others and choose which types of cats would be a good fit for our home.
- Visit our local Humane Society: My Georgie was a stray who adopted my family and we adopted Tango from our local Humane Society. I love the idea of giving a cat a new home, not purchasing from a pet store and by visiting our Humane Society the kids can see what goes on there.
- Stock the pantry: Once the decision is made and you are ready to bring your furry bundle home you need supplies. Try not to buy too much at the beginning because you will want to learn what your new furry friend’s personality and preferences are. Your cat’s age will also help you determine what type of food to get. Make sure you provide separate water and food bowls as well.
- Privacy, please: Everyone in the family deserves a little privacy and your cat is no different! Make sure you place the litter box in a quiet spot and away from your cat’s eating station. A litter box lined with 3-4 inches of Arm & Hammer ™ Clump & Seal ™ litter is a must have for a 7-day odour-free home—guaranteed.
- Lighten the load: Your groceries are heavy enough to carry out of the car, but now Arm & Hammer ™ Clump & Seal™ LightWeight litter contains the same amount of uses as the regular clumping litter, at half the weight, so you won’t need to worry about lugging heavy litter around with you.
- Playtime for cats: Having different types of toys on hand is a great way to engage with your cat and determine his or her play habits, but don’t buy too many! My Tango was given a green stuffed frog that squeaked and it was virtually the only thing he played with. ♥ A scratching post is also a good idea—cats need to wear down their nails, so be sure to have this in place or your furniture will see the result.
- Spend some quality time together: When you first bring your kitty home you want him to feel welcomed and loved without overwhelming the little guy. Spend lots of time just visiting, which can mean interacting directly with your new cat in the form of play or petting, or quietly reading a book or surfing the web in the same room as your new companion.
Getting a new pet is a rewarding experience and a great bonding opportunity for the whole family. Get to know your little friend and have fun picking out a name that everyone likes. Remember, this little guy, or girl, will be with you for a very long time and you want to make the most of it.
Do you have a pet? If so, what type of pet is it? What is it’s name?
FT&PD
Suz
Disclosure: I am a 2016 Church & Dwight Ambassador. All opinions expressed are my own.
That is the biggest thing to do, is to read and do your research before you bring a pet into your home!!
I have two calico cats that my son left with me for two weeks seven years ago, Their names are Maggie May and Fivel. An English Pointer named Katie and a Yorkie name4d Pepper.I would get my cat from the Human Society because it will mean one less animal that wont be euthanized. If its a kitten think about getting 2 because they are really entertaining.
I am so happy you talked about visiting your local Humane Society to find a pet.
all of our cats just ended up adopting us…. the last one, fluffy butt, actually walked into our house and tried to feed off of momma cat (he was prob a week younger then her kittens) She was having non of that so Garfield (my fixed boy cat) ended up taking care of him…. Garfield was also one who adopted us..he passed away the summer of 2015 after 7 yrs with us. Now there’s just Fluffy
Good tips. It’s essential to be fully informed before getting a pet, that way you know what to expect and whether it is a suitable pet for your family.
Great tips! (I grew up with cats and want a kitty too. But alas, my 2 kids are horribly allergic!)
The cat we adopted this fall, has grown into a mini panther he is a huge cat.
I love to hear about animals having the good life,so many are cold and lonely
So many people don’t prepare or make sure they are ready for a pet and of the responsibility. That is why we have so many pets at shelters. Thanks for this post.
Very true Deanna. It is just heartbreaking when you see so many animals at the shelters. People need to be more responsible.
So, when are you getting one for yourself and the kids, Doug will learn to love it! Good Luck
First I just have to say your cat is adorable. Now you’re so right about spending time together and I’m lucky my cat and dog get along great.
We said good bye to our cat of 10 yrs, this past week. She was not well. If and when I am ready to have another cat…..definitely visiting the local shelter.
I have 5 cats and one dog all are adopted. I also feed a colony of feral cats and socialize feral kittens.
People have to know a pet is forever…. some pets may have behaviors someone might not like, cats in particular sometimes pick favorites.
Honestly, a cat needs a friend (another cat) and they truly are best adopted in twos~
I don’t have any pets, but I have 2 or 3 cats that stop by my home when the weather is warm. I thought one of them was a stray until I saw that he got shaved one summer (he was a long-haired cat). And one hot day, I saw him sitting on top of the dish of water that I put out for the birds and animals. Unfortunately they leave a trail of dead birds & feathers behind.
Rule#1 Before you bring an animal home do your homework and have an inviting place in your home for them,they are really scared being moved to a new home with new faces,new noises.
I love this list and share it with new owners,i do fund raising for a rescue group in our Community and too many people get pets and honestly don’t know how to care for them.
Turbo is so happy since we changed his litter to Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal litter !