scared cat

Settling In With A New Cat (Or Kitten)

Gretchen Heuring for ElderThink

 

The first 24 hours are pretty important to your new cat or kitten friend. There are some things you can do to make your new pet more comfortable with this big change.


Bringing Her (Or Him) Home

Bringing your cat from where it has been to your home where you will live together is the first big step. Cats generally do not enjoy riding in cars. It's safest for her to be safely placed in a cat carrier lined with an easily washable towel or some paper. She may complain and meow quite loudly, but this is much better than taking a chance that she might panic, scratch someone, or hide behind the brake pedal. Jennifer Warder, Direct of Shelter Outreach for Adopt-A-Pet.com, suggests that you play soothing music in the car or even sing to your new furry friend.


At First She Could Be Scared

Of course your cat might be scared and it could take a few days for her to settle in to her new surroundings. To make this easier, choose a small room away from most people and set it up for her with a litter box, bed, food and water. Be sure there are sturdy screens if windows are to be left open. For a test, bat at each screen yourself as though your finger tips are paws. Keep her in there for the first day. If she wants to hide, go on about your own business and let her be. The next day, let her choose to move about your home as she wishes. It could take a few days but her natural curiousity will eventually lead her from that room.


A Smart Strategy

If you plan to have her litter box somewhere else, you will need to help her with two litter boxes. Put the second litter box in the new location. Then move the old litter box a foot or two each day toward the new one. This could take a few days or even a couple of weeks depending on how far apart they are. When the two boxes are finally together, remove one of them.


You Know What Is Best For Her

One final important piece of advice. Even if your new kittie cries at the door, do not let her go outside for many months or even forever. She will get over it. We know cats are supposed to be able to find their way home, but actually, she could get lost. Distract her with a toy or or a shoestring, or a treat.


We hope you have a wonderful life together and that you bring each other lasting happiness.

 

 

Woman With Cat

Pets Are Good For Old Folks

 

The inevitable tragedies come along as we grow old. Loved ones pass on and we miss them. We struggle with our own physical and mental problems too. It can all be quite depressing.

 

Pets need us. We must feed and groom them, find ways for them to get excercise, clean up after them, and just plain love them. They shift our attention away from ourselves and they comfort us. They get us out and about where we have to speak to other people whether we want to or not.

 

Best of all, pets make us smile. They even make us laugh sometimes with their antics. Anyone ever see a great big dog stick her head under a chair during a thunderstorm?

 

No doubt about it. Pets are good for us as we get older.



 

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National Association of Professional Pet Sitters

Trustworthy care for your pet when you are away from home.

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Healthy Paws Pet Insurance and Foundation.


Cat Loving Her Human

Pets Are Good For People

Thirty years ago, researchers discovered that pets are good for older people (and sick people too.) Today, we can find pets visiting in hospitals and living in nursing facilities. Read on.

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