Caring for your rescue kitty
2
Just become the proud (second) owner of a cat or kitten? Here’s how to get them off to the best start.
- PAW by Blackmores/
- A Guide To Perfect Your Pet's Health/
- Health and Vitality Products For Your Dog/
- Caring for your rescue kitty
Taking on a rescue cat or kitten is a wonderful thing to do – you’re literally saving a life. The first few weeks will likely be one of adjustment for your new kitten, but there is plenty you can do to make them feel more comfortable.
Make sure they have a place to call their own
For the first few weeks, your cat may feel stressed as they get acclimatised to your home. Choose a quiet room free from safety hazards (for example, if you use a laundry or bathroom, ensure the toilet lid and washer/ dryer doors are in the closed position), and pop in their bed and food dishes. They’ll need their litter tray set up inside as you’ll want to keep them indoors to avoid them straying and becoming lost, but set this up away from their food and bedding. Your cat carrier may make a great first bed, giving them a sense of security and privacy as they settle in.
Diet
Ask the shelter or your cat’s previous owner what food they’re currently eating – suddenly changing their diet can result in an upset tummy. If you’ve decided to use a different brand of food, still stock a little of what they are used to, and slowly transition them over the space of a few days. You’ll also want to make sure their water bowl is filled regularly. Don’t be alarmed if they don’t eat a lot in the first few days, but do chat to your vet if they don’t eat at all.
Meet the vet
In the days following your adoption, take your kitty to meet your vet for a general check-up. Ask the shelter or person you adopted them from for any health or previous vet paperwork they have and take this along. If you’ve adopted an older feline, ask your vet about supplementation that may help with any issues common to their breed/ age.
Encourage them to play
Play is essential to the mental and physical wellbeing of your cat, and a selection of cat toys will allow you and your new addition to get to know each other while having fun. That said, much like children and the boxes their toys came in, cats can have fun with just about any item – just dangle and jiggle it and they’ll chase it for hours! Most of all, be ready to go at your new cat’s pace. Allow them access to a quiet spot and when you ‘visit’ them there, sit quietly and let them come to you.
A multi-strain, multi-species probiotic and wholefood powder for the maintenance of everyday digestive health of pets.
Make sure they have a place to call their own
For the first few weeks, your cat may feel stressed as they get acclimatised to your home. Choose a quiet room free from safety hazards (for example, if you use a laundry or bathroom, ensure the toilet lid and washer/ dryer doors are in the closed position), and pop in their bed and food dishes. They’ll need their litter tray set up inside as you’ll want to keep them indoors to avoid them straying and becoming lost, but set this up away from their food and bedding. Your cat carrier may make a great first bed, giving them a sense of security and privacy as they settle in.
Diet
Ask the shelter or your cat’s previous owner what food they’re currently eating – suddenly changing their diet can result in an upset tummy. If you’ve decided to use a different brand of food, still stock a little of what they are used to, and slowly transition them over the space of a few days. You’ll also want to make sure their water bowl is filled regularly. Don’t be alarmed if they don’t eat a lot in the first few days, but do chat to your vet if they don’t eat at all.
Meet the vet
In the days following your adoption, take your kitty to meet your vet for a general check-up. Ask the shelter or person you adopted them from for any health or previous vet paperwork they have and take this along. If you’ve adopted an older feline, ask your vet about supplementation that may help with any issues common to their breed/ age.
Encourage them to play
Play is essential to the mental and physical wellbeing of your cat, and a selection of cat toys will allow you and your new addition to get to know each other while having fun. That said, much like children and the boxes their toys came in, cats can have fun with just about any item – just dangle and jiggle it and they’ll chase it for hours! Most of all, be ready to go at your new cat’s pace. Allow them access to a quiet spot and when you ‘visit’ them there, sit quietly and let them come to you.
RELATED PRODUCTS:
A multi-strain, multi-species probiotic and wholefood powder for the maintenance of everyday digestive health of pets.
PAW Osteosupport® Joint Care Powder for Cats
A highly concentrated green lipped mussel powder that is clinically proven to provide arthritis relief for cats.
