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All You Need To Know Before Adopting A Cat

Adopting a cat can see you develop one of the most beautiful bonds of your life as you connect with your feline friend. Cats are playful creatures who can be very affectionate and form a strong relationship with you. Every time you play with your cat or simply spend time with them, you may notice a significant drop in stress levels and experience a boost of happiness. However, it is important to remember that cat adoption is a big decision which comes with a lot of responsibilities. Your home will become the cat’s home and you become their family. To ensure they get the best possible future with you, there are a few things that you need to understand before proceeding with cat adoption.

Things to consider before cat adoption

Whether you are opting to adopt a kitten or a grown cat, here are some things you need to consider before going through with the entire process.

The cat will need to be spayed/neutered:
If the cat has not been spayed or neutered already at the time of adoption, you will need to get this done. If you are adopting a kitten, you will need to get them spayed/neutered once they are of suitable age. Do talk to the shelter house and a vet for more information on the procedure.
Proceed with cat adoption only after reviewing your routine:
If you lead a busy lifestyle, you will need to consider how you will make time for your cat. This includes taking care of your cat and maintaining their feeding times. You will need to dedicate your time to planning the right food, serving meals at proper intervals, and ensuring that you can make time for play too.
Adoption is a long-term commitment:
Adoption is a permanent duty and a bond that lasts for a lifetime. When you bring home a rescued cat or adopt one from a shelter, you are providing the animal with new hope. The cat will be a member of your family and you will need to treat them as such. The lifespan of cats generally ranges from 12 to 20 years, and this is how long your commitment will be. Only once you have considered the enormity of your decision and are ready for it, should you go through with cat or kitten adoption.

Providing favorable conditions for the adopted cat

Before you bring home an adopted or a rescued cat, you will need to make a few changes in your house to create favorable conditions for them. You can begin by doing the following:

Remove items that can be toxic to a cat, like certain plants or chemical agents.
Cover up exposed electrical wires in a way that the cat can’t reach them (since they might try to chew up the wire, which can lead to a severe accident).
Prepare your kids and teach them the basics of being responsible around a cat.
Keep a special room or space for the cat, so they can feel safe and get a sense of belonging.
Find a vet near your area where you can take the rescued cat for regular check-ups.

What are some benefits of cat adoption?

Adopting a cat also has many benefits such as:

You help a cat in need:
If you adopt a cat instead of buying one, you will be helping a cat in need. You will be giving a rescued cat much-needed shelter, their own space, and a family that loves them.
The cat will most likely be trained:
A cat that is adopted from a shelter will already be trained in basic activities like feeding from a bowl and using a scratching post.
You can adopt a cat based on their personality:
One of the biggest benefits of adopting a cat from a shelter is that they often have an already established personality. This makes it easier for people to adopt a cat that best suits their lifestyle.

Factors to keep in mind when adopting a cat

When adopting a cat, here are a few factors you should keep in mind:

Presence of other pet cats:
If you have other cats at home, you will need to adopt a cat that likes their company. You can talk to the shelter home about this, so they direct you to cats who bond well with other cats.
The inevitable costs:
Adopting and taking care of cats means having to bear quite a few costs – costs of regular vet visits, medicines, foods, toys, and more. Moreover, if you are bringing home a rescued cat, they may require even more care and attention from a vet. So, do consider these costs before proceeding with the adoption.
Your routine:
When you adopt a cat, you should be able to make time for them and give them proper care and attention. You can also consider adopting a cat whose lifestyle matches yours. For instance, a cat who likes being independent can be a perfect choice for someone who is often busy.

Essentials to purchase for your cat

To give your cat the best life, ensure that you have all of the following essentials:

Food and water bowls
Litter box
Scratching post
Toys
Cat nips
Cat grooming equipment
A durable carrier or crate
Cat bed
Collar with an ID tag

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best age cat to adopt?

If you are looking to adopt a kitten, the age of the kitten should ideally be 12 weeks. At 12 weeks of age, kittens are ready to move into a new home. You can also adopt a middle-aged cat that is younger than 10 years. Middle-aged cats usually have developed a personality which makes it easy to adopt them. Cats are also at their healthiest during this time. Adopting an elderly cat, who is over 10 years of age, also has some benefits. For instance, senior cats will already have a developed personality, and will most likely be less active and prefer staying indoors.

What basics do you need for a cat?

A few basic things that you need for a cat are food and water bowls, a litter box, a scratching post, some toys, cat nips, some cat grooming equipment, a carrier or a crate, a cat bed, and a collar with an ID tag.

What is the first thing you should do when you get a cat?

The first thing you should do after you bring a cat home is to make them feel safe and secure. The cat may feel nervous at first and might take time to open up and get used to you. Give your new pet the time and space they require, and they will adapt to you. Meanwhile, you should also have good quality cat food, food bowls, and water bowls ready at hand.

How long does it take for a cat to bond with you?

There are a lot of factors which affect how quickly a cat bonds with you. Some of these factors include how old the cat is, what kind of shelter they have grown up in, whether they had a home before that, and what kind of life they had in that home. Bonding also majorly depends upon your behaviour towards the cat. So, there is no definite number of days to answer this question. All you can do is show the most care and affection possible to the cat while also giving them the required space and time to connect with you.

How long does it take an adopted cat to adjust?

A lot of factors affect how quickly an adopted cat can adjust to their new home and new owner. These factors include the cat’s age, whether they had a home before yours, and whether they had a good life there. The cat’s ability to adjust also depends upon the circumstances that brought them to the shelter home and your behaviour towards them. It is best to be patient and wait for your feline friend to get used to their new life.

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Kitten Constipation And It's Remedy

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You've just got a new, adorable kitten, and its curiosity and playful nature fill your home with joy. However, one fine day, you notice that your little feline friend is a bit off its game. It seems to be in discomfort and eats barely anything. Moreover, you haven't seen anything in its litter box for a while. Could it be kitten constipation?

What is kitten constipation?

Just like in humans, kitten constipation is a condition where your kitten might find it difficult to have a bowel movement. In some cases, this discomfort can be severe and life-threatening, especially if left untreated for more than 48 hours.

Kitten constipation symptoms

While different kittens may present different symptoms, here are some commonly observed kitten constipation symptoms:

Lack of feces production: If your kitten hasn't produced any feces for 24-48 hours, it may be a sign of constipation.
Straining to defecate: Your kitten seems to be struggling in the litter box but produces nothing or very small, hard pieces of feces.
Loss of appetite: Your kitten isn't eating as much as it used to.
Lethargy: The usually playful and curious kitten is spending more time sleeping and seems less interested in activities.
Bloating or vomiting: If your kitten's tummy seems bloated, or it is vomiting, it could be due to constipation.

Common causes of kitten constipation

Kitten constipation can occur due to a variety of factors, such as:

Dehydration: Just like in humans, lack of sufficient water intake can lead to constipation in kittens.
Ingestion of indigestible items: Kittens love to play, but if they end up swallowing items like ribbons or hair ties, it could lead to a blockage in their digestive system.
Lack of defecation stimulation: Unweaned kittens require stimulation to defecate. If this isn't done, they might get constipated.
Intestinal parasites: Heavy parasitic infections in the intestines can also cause constipation.
Neurological or other diseases: Certain neurological conditions or diseases affecting the hindquarters can lead to constipation in kittens.
Now that we've covered what kitten constipation is, let's dive into how we can help our little furry pals.

Treating kitten constipation

In a case where your kitten is still active and eating, some home remedies can help alleviate their discomfort. However, if the kitten constipation symptoms persist, or if your kitten becomes less active and stops eating, it's time to seek veterinary assistance.

At the vet, treatments may include fluid injections, enemas, or x-rays to check for blockages. In severe cases, the vet may perform procedures to manually remove the blocked feces or even surgery.

Home remedies for kitten constipation

Your kitten's health and comfort are paramount. If you spot the initial signs of constipation, there are some home remedies you can try before visiting the vet:

Keep your kitten hydrated: Hydration is crucial in preventing constipation. Make sure your kitten always has access to fresh water. If your kitten is fond of dry food, consider adding some water to it to increase their fluid intake.
Add fiber to your kitten's diet: A little bit of fiber can work wonders for constipation. Consider adding a spoonful of canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) to your kitten's food for a kitten constipation remedy. Moreover, you can incorporate IAMS Proactive Health Mother and Kitten food in your pet’s day-to-day meals to ensure sufficient fiber intake. This kitten food also contains FOS natural prebiotic to improve gut health and digestion.
Get your kitten moving: Just like in humans, physical activity can help stimulate bowel movements in kittens. Engage your kitten in fun, physical activities to keep them active.
Continue observing your kitten: Monitor your kitten closely. If the symptoms worsen or persist for more than a day, it's time to call the vet.

Recovery and management of kitten constipation

Recovery from kitten constipation is generally swift once the obstruction is removed, but it's crucial to address the underlying cause to prevent recurrence. Follow your vet's instructions to the letter, which may include finishing a prescribed medication course and maintaining regular deworming and fecal checks.

Remember, our adorable little kittens rely on us for their well-being. Being proactive in understanding kitten constipation symptoms and causes can help ensure your kitten stays happy, healthy, and ready to explore the exciting world around them.

Don't hesitate to reach out to a vet if you're unsure. With a little love, care, and the right kitten constipation remedy, your kitten will be back to their playful, cuddly self in no time.
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