Be the best parent for your cat bestie by applying these tips below!

Be prepared

Are you ready to commit? Are you ready to be a responsible cat parent? Owning a pet is a commitment because you are going to take care of another living creature. Assessing your capabilities before adopting or getting a cat is important because they are not toys that you can throw and keep in your basement when you are tired to play with it anymore. Having a cat is like having child in a way and so you really have to make sure if you have enough time and love to give to your pets. This is not really our worry because the fact that you're reading this article means that you are willing to learn to be a responsible cat mom or dad!

A safe space

Baby steps! It’s your cat’s first day at home, how do you make him feel safe? Your cat needs to adjust to their surroundings, so putting him/her in a carrier with a soft mat and letting him/her come out on his/her own is what you would want to do.

Cats have different personalities and so they have different time periods to get used to a new space. Usually, it would take them no longer than a week especially if you always make them feel loved, happy, and safe. For first time cat owners, you might be a little worried, confused, and pressured but we know that your love and happiness will prevail over your fear. Just take it slow and enjoy the process! *send hugs*

Healthy diet & nutrition

A diet of 50-60 percent protein and 30-50 percent of fat is a good diet for adult cats. You can try to give them dried or wet cat food. Before your cat’s arrival at your home, a healthy food and a bowl of fresh water for your cat would be nice. To really make sure that your cat will have the proper nutrition he deserves, it is much better to consult your vet. Not only you will know what food and vitamins to give, your vet will also check your cat’s health which is very important!

Comfortable cat bed

Almost 80% of the time, cats are asleep so a comfortable and durable cat bed is a must have! Cats are flexible, but they still need a cat bed that will support their body. They also tend to rest in high places like the top of your cabinet or your window because they want to fully see their surroundings, and they want to be in control.

Never force contact, your cat needs his time alone especially in his first week. There are cats that are friendly and can easily bond with their owner but some are not. Unlike dogs that treat their owners as their parents, cats are a little bit different! They are sweet but they also have their own sass. By giving them a luxurious and soft cat bed, we let them have their own space where they can rest beautifully and peacefully.

Scratch post

If you don’t want your beautiful luxury furniture all covered in scratches, a scratch post is definitely something you should have on top of your shopping list. Cats like to climb and file their nails from time to time so we suggest you should consider buying a scratch post to keep them from scratching your bean bag, sofas, curtains and bed. To familiarize your cat with your scratch post, it should be placed in your living room or wherever it is that will have an easy access for your cat.

You might think, “ Well I can just declaw my cat’s nail so he could not accidentally scratch my face!” but it will do more harm than good. Their nails serve as their protection from harm, they also use it for hunting. Declawing their nails is a no no, you don't want them to feel weak and inferior, right?

Litter box

There are many types of litter boxes you can find in NZ, some are open,some are covered and there are also self-cleaning litter boxes. Just take note that cats prefer the covered one, and some just wanted their litter box to be open. Litter box should be away from the food and drinking station of your cat. If your cat is avoiding the litter box, familiarize it with him by gently bringing it closely to his nose so he can directly smell it.

Interactive toys

Curiosity is part of every cat’s life. They love to discover and investigate things that are unfamiliar to them. Giving them toys to play with will help to make them happy as well as develop their instincts and skills. When your cat is also stressed and bored, they can just play with their toys in their cat bed to alleviate their stress. Just keep in mind to buy non toxic toys for your cat to keep them safe and happy!

Final Thoughts
Whether you already have cats or you are planning to get one, it doesn’t hurt to always have a refresher course on things that would make you a better cat parent. Looking for a comfortable cat bed for your feline? Check out this cat bed with hoodie by ambient lounge®