Cat in half shade

Perhaps you have never lived with an adult cat before and have decided to bring one into your home for the first time for one of many possible reasons: you adopted an adult because you prefer knowing the cat’s adult temperament, a stray decided to join you (it usually is their choice), or you somehow inherited one. What should you expect, and what do you need?

Each cat has their own preferences for almost everything in their world, and it's a learning process for you to find out what those preferences are. Cats typically do not have a dog's happy-go-lucky “Anything is fine!” approach to life. Some cats don't care what goes on around them, and some cats have surgically precise preferences. They will let you know.

Indoor/Outdoor

The first decision you need to make is whether or not you are going to allow your cat outside or if the cat will remain inside at all times, although it's truly difficult to make an indoor cat out of one that used to live outside. Indoor-only cats are safer because they don't get hit by cars, have fights with other animals, or become prey, but that means they remain away from their natural environment. Indoor cats need enrichment efforts to be happy, and sometimes weight control efforts, because cats were not designed to lounge around on the couch all day eating food they didn't hunt. Outdoor cats need their indoor basic needs met, such as hiding spaces, resting areas, vertical spaces, and so on. The choice should be made balancing potential dangers outdoors against possible boredom and weight gain indoors. You can take indoor cats outside for walks on feline-specific harnesses and leashes. If you decide to keep your cat indoors only, never let them out by themselves; do not allow “once in a while” forays into the great outdoors and assume they will remain in your yard.

The day the cat comes home, you will need the following.

The only things you absolutely must have for a cat are food, something in which to eat and drink, and a litter box filled with litter. Initially, you can use any bowl for water and food, but eventually, you can switch to food dispensing and puzzle toys. If you prefer a bowl, get a bacteria-resistant stainless steel or ceramic. Real cat food is necessary (dog food does not have enough protein, although it's better than letting a stray go hungry overnight) and you definitely need litter boxes and litter as soon as you possibly can. In a pinch, a cardboard box filled with sand is good temporarily.

If you know what your cat was eating before arriving at your house, use that same food. If you'd like to change to something else, mix the two foods together, gradually increasing the percentage of the new food over a few days. If you have no clue what the cat was eating, then any new cat food will have to do. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must have a meat-based diet. Cats break down protein to meet their blood sugar requirements, not the carbohydrates that people use. The overall quality of your cat's nutrition can usually be seen in your cat's health; spending more on good quality food usually translates to fewer veterinary bills.

Litter Boxes and Litter

The litter box and litter will make more of a difference in how well your cat adapts to your household than anything else you provide. Note that these are two items, not one: a box and litter, both of which come in numerous types. Research tells us that cats prefer much larger litter boxes than what are sold in pet supply stores, and veterinary behaviorists recommend something like a concrete mixing tub found at hardware stores. For one cat, have two boxes in different locations. Some cats like the boxes to be on different floors, or at opposite ends of the house. Most dislike having them adjacent to the washing machine and dryer, and they really don't want it near their food bowls. Older or overweight cats may have difficulty walking up and down stairs or jumping up to litter boxes placed on higher surfaces. Each box should be scooped clean once or twice every single day, and the litter in it should be replaced every one to two weeks. When you are replacing the litter, wash the empty box with a detergent and make sure it's dry before new litter is put in it.

While it can be tempting to delay scooping or cleaning the box, don't. Just don't. Cats are fastidious and prefer clean toilets (don't you?). Dirty boxes contribute to behavioral problems in which cats decide to pee and poop outside the box. Sometimes they get in the habit of going outside the box in a way that is appropriately called inappropriate elimination. You want, with all your heart, to prevent your cat from doing that. Inappropriate elimination is the main reason cats are surrendered to the shelter because it is difficult to live with the odor and clean up of cat urine – which is nasty – and cat poop on your floors and carpeting. Sometimes, it's difficult to get a cat to stop doing it, and the best approach is to prevent it from ever happening.

Your first decision about litter is clumping or non-clumping. Clumping litter means the urine ends up formed into a sort of ball that is easily scoopable. Non-clumping litter tends to be clay, which some people prefer because of the way it absorbs odors. Clay, non-scented litter is best. Cats can have an aversion to wood, cedar, and litter pearls. There is scented (to cover up the smell for your nose), unscented (because some cats don't like the fragrance), lightweight (more uses per bag), dust-free (if either of you have respiratory issues), natural (biodegradable and renewable sources such as corn, wood, pine, wheat, recycled paper products, etc.) and flushable (check your local ordinances first, as some cities do not allow flushing). There's even litter for cats who don't like to use the litter box, which has an herbal attractant.

Most cats have litter preferences, although some will use any material no matter the texture is or what it smells like. The best way to find out what your cat likes is to offer choices of litter and see which one is used the most. Try a few different types to make this experiment as accurate as possible and give each option enough time for the cat to decide.

Items you will need eventually, but do not have to have on Day One.

An ID tag is always a good idea so that your neighbors will know your cat is not a stray, although cats can get hung up on them. Even a collar alone will show that this cat is not likely to be a stray. Consider microchipping your cat as well so if they are found and taken to the shelter you can easily be reunited. Only 2% of cats taken to shelters are reunited with their people and a microchip can greatly improve those odds.

In the United States, rabies vaccination requirements for cats vary from county to county. Ask your veterinarian what the rabies vaccination requirement is where you live. Even if not required by law, vaccinating outdoor pets against rabies is always a good idea. Once your cat is vaccinated, place the rabies tag on the collar or harness with the ID tag and city license, if a license is required by your municipality. Make sure to get a collar specifically for cats that has a breakaway feature so your kitty won’t get stuck squeezing through tight areas or climbing trees.

Cat on jigsaw puzzle

Photo by VIN Staff

Unless your cat arrived as a stray or in a cardboard box, you may already have a cat carrier, but if you don't you will need one. Your cat will have to go to the veterinarian sometimes, or you may move, your house may catch on fire, or you may need to be evacuated from a natural disaster. There are many types of carriers: some open in the front, or on top, or both, some come apart, and so on. You can train your cat to accept it.

A scratching post or scratcher box is useful because you don't want your cat scratching your furniture. When the carpet or scratching surface is frayed or worn out you will need to replace it with another one. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats and cannot be eliminated, so it's best to direct the cat to scratch on something of your choice. Clipping nails and flexible nail tips can be beneficial. If your cat has a long-haired coat, you absolutely must have tools to brush it or it will mat, causing skin irritation and an eventual need to be groomed (usually done very short as a lion cut with a clipper). Long-haired cats should have a brush, a comb, and a detangler. Most dog groomers do not accept cats for grooming, and many sensitive cats need to be sedated at the veterinarian's for clipping. If your cat has a short coat, a comb and brush will still be needed, just not as often and likely without the difficult consequences of matting.

Your cat may enjoy a cat bed, and some use them more than others. Cats will nap anywhere they feel like it, usually in a warm place such as a spot of sunshine, your lap, on top of your laptop. They may decide that a certain spot on the couch is theirs, which may or may not work for you.

Most cats love cat trees. They like climbing the carpeting, hiding in them, looking out the window from the highest part, and slapping around the parts that hang down for that purpose. Place it by a window for your cat's enrichment. Remember to vacuum the hair off from it, and descent it once in a while so it doesn't start to smell.

Some cat toys will be left untouched while the cat has a fantastic time whapping around the plastic cap to a bottle or the ring that attaches the cap to the bottle. Pieces of crumpled up paper, pen caps, and so on work as toys. Toys that engage you with your cat are usually appreciated, such as a feather attached to a plastic fishing pole. With cats, you never know what they prefer until you try it. Some cat owners find that anything they purchase that is designed for cats is ignored, and that the cat will decide what is interesting to play with. Toys are what the cat considers to be a toy, not you. Be careful not to give them string, yarn, or ribbons because those can become a linear foreign body that must be surgically removed.

Toxins

Many substances are toxic to cats and learning what they are may help your cat live a longer life. While many people know how dangerous antifreeze or rodenticides are, items such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, mosquito repellant, nasal decongestants, cannabis, glow sticks, and many flowers found in bouquets - especially lilies, are toxic to cats. If you suspect your cat has ingested any of these items, call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline and ask if you should bring your cat in.

The ASPCA has a list of plants that are toxic specifically to cats. 

Easy Keepers

As long as you keep the litter boxes clean and long-haired cats brushed, cats are the easiest of easy keepers. Your life is not ruled by their bladder, they don't need to be walked, you don't need to disinfect a cage or aquarium, you don't need to go to an expensive specialty store for their food, they don't mind being alone for a while, and when they want to be with you, they are with you in spirit and soul. Few aspects of life are as wonderful as a happy cat in your home, purring on your lap.