Cats can be curious and fascinating creatures, that live for an average of 15-17 years. <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re a first-time kitty owner or planning to adopt one, there are some things you need to know, to have a great life with your furry companion for the years to come.<\/p>\n
Get To Know A Cat\u2019s Ways<\/h2>\n
Before bringing your new cat into your home, you must know that just like people, cats are unique. Some are more energetic, while others like sleeping a lot. Some may be more feisty or more affectionate while others will enjoy clawing furniture and climbing everywhere.<\/p>\n
Many owners don\u2019t mind these behaviors, but some may get upset if their favorite chair gets shredded. So, to avoid being unpleasantly surprised, think about all of these facts and what you\u2019d like your cat to be like. Remember that a cat isn\u2019t a toy with an On\/Off button, but a being with a (fuzzy) soul.<\/p>\n
A Cat\u2019s Temper & Personality<\/h2>\n![\"Cat](\"https:\/\/petfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/cat-jumping-on-sofa.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nThings aren\u2019t very different, whether we\u2019re talking about a kitten or an adult cat.<\/p>\n
Cats may be beautiful, but each has a different personality<\/a> and you\u2019ll want to know who you share your house with. Some may be shy, and won\u2019t allow too much contact, others might be stubborn and introvertive, so they will do things on their terms, while others may be playful, extrovertive, and eager for human companionship.<\/p>\nOne of the first things you have to do after bringing your feline home is to watch it and assess its personality type.<\/p>\n
Shyness is a typical cat trait. Although, by nature, felines are reluctant and skeptical, some are shyer and more scared than others. They fear and avoid human contact, and prefer being on their own and hiding most of the time. <\/p>\n
Some eat while there\u2019s no one around them. With this kind of cat, it\u2019s best to encourage it to come to you, not force it in any way. They can get scared easily and lose trust in you. This type of cat needs a strong feeling of security, so provide multiple spaces where it can hide to feel safe<\/a>.<\/p>\nPlace its food in a separate, quiet area. It may get scared and refuse to eat otherwise. Its native curiosity will drive it to know the house and other family members. But you always have to remember that shyness and reluctance never go away.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s best to avoid letting this type of cat outside, if you have a backyard, because if it wanders away, it may get scared and forget its way home or get hurt by other cats.<\/p>\n
Other cats are extrovertive, affectionate, alert, playful, and active. They act as if the world belongs to them. They will play with anyone, anytime. They will always greet guests as if they\u2019re house members. These cats tolerate other pets and children very well, small ones especially.<\/p>\n
Some cats may be more aggressive. These cats dominate the house and are extremely unpredictable: they\u2019ll only do what they want when they want it.<\/a> Otherwise, they may exhibit aggressiveness. <\/p>\nThey suddenly become affectionate when they want to obtain something, such as one more treat or a few extra kibbles, and spend the rest of their time sleeping alone. They don\u2019t do great with small children or other animals, especially dogs, as they feel threatened by them. As long as they\u2019re left alone, cats won\u2019t mind being in the same room with a human.<\/p>\n
These cats need access to quiet rooms and hideout spaces to feel safe. Most of them run and hide after almost every aggression burst.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve had such a cat, for about 15 years, and it did only as it desired. It would climb onto my lap and sit there for hours. But, every time I wanted to pet it, it would bite and scratch my hand and then run away.<\/p>\n
No matter your cat\u2019s personality type, it must trust you, for you to have the best relationship. You can achieve this by allowing it to come to you, rather than you going to her.<\/p>\n
Avoid punishment and always use positive reinforcement, treats, praise, and lots of patience. Felines don\u2019t do well when punished, they tend to do the opposite.<\/p>\n
Cat Pros and Cons<\/h2>\n![\"Cat](\"https:\/\/petfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/cat-purring-being-hugged.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nNo matter their personality type, cats have many pluses and minuses. It\u2019s up to you to see what is appropriate for you and your family.<\/p>\n
Unlike dogs, cats are low maintenance. They don\u2019t need walks, regular bathing, or training, and can be house-trained fast. Most of them learn to use their litter box immediately.<\/p>\n
Cats require little space, so they make great apartment pets. They also have lower grooming costs than other house animals.<\/p>\n
They are more independent and do well on their own, so you can leave your cat home alone for a few days<\/a>, without worrying it\u2019ll develop separation anxiety.<\/p>\nCats have a calming effect on their owners. Their purring makes people relax and even sleep better. Research has shown that cat purring has a healing impact on fractures and other lesions<\/a>.<\/p>\nApart from their lovely character traits, cats can sometimes become obnoxious. They enjoy knocking things down and climbing virtually anywhere they can reach. So, hide away all your valuable objects such as art items, jewelry, and small objects such as needles, pins, buttons, hairpins, and other potentially harmful items, which your cat may be tempted to knock down and swallow.<\/p>\n
This also means they can steal food, medicine, or other things they\u2019re not allowed to eat from the counter. A feline indigestion is the last thing you need.<\/p>\n
If you have long curtains, it might be a good idea to get a set of shorter ones. Otherwise, they might end up being shredded by your cat, in their attempt to climb onto them.<\/p>\n
Cats do love to crawl in every small space you can imagine. Unfortunately, some can get trapped. Avoid giving them access to these sorts of enclosures.<\/p>\n
Most cats don\u2019t sleep in their kitty beds. Instead, they prefer couches or even your bed. Use affordable bed sheets that you can change more often, made from bamboo or linen, and avoid silk, velvet, and flannel ones, that collect hair and debris. <\/p>\n
Linen and polyester bedspreads are easy to clean from all the hair that may add up, are claw-resistant, and protect your bed sheets.<\/p>\n
They enjoy scratching furniture and rugs, so be sure to prepare a cat tree with a scratch post included<\/a>, to protect things in your house.<\/p>\nSome cats that are allowed outside can develop a prey instinct and bring inside all sorts of \u201cgifts\u201d for their owner: dead mice, reptiles, birds, or insects they\u2019ve caught themselves. As odd as this might seem, this is their way of saying \u201cthank you\u201d.<\/p>\n![\"Cat](\"https:\/\/petfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/cat-tree-shopping-list.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nWhen bringing your new cat home, there will be some things you\u2019ll need to buy, such as a litter box, which comes in many shapes and sizes. Water and food bowls come next on the list. These should be made out of resistant materials, such as hard plastic or stainless steel, and easy to clean, to prevent bacterial overgrowth. Cleaning must be done daily.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll also need some cat litter sand, that absorbs odors. These also come in many options and price ranges. The cheapest cat litter sand is clay cat or bentonite, which clumps well, absorbs urine, and only partially smells. <\/p>\n
Litter must be cleaned almost after every use and clumped parts must be thrown away into the garbage, as it may clog pipes or the toilet. Also, it produces a fine dust, that allergic people may resent.<\/p>\n
More expensive cat litter sands absorb smell better, clump well, or don\u2019t clump at all. You can try cat litter made from corn<\/a> if you\u2019re into more natural products. Cat pellets<\/a> are also a great alternative to fine dust-producing cat litter.<\/p>\nYou can try a classical cat litter box, or a covered one if you\u2019ve got indoor space. For a better adjustment, you can get a corner-covered litter box<\/a>.<\/p>\nDon\u2019t forget about a scratching post, to prevent furniture clawing, or even a cat tree<\/a>, if you\u2019ve got enough room, and cat toys, to keep the feline entertained and on the move.<\/p>\nWe recommend prospecting the market before buying anything, to see what suits your taste, budget, and space better.<\/p>\n
Your New Feline\u2019s Naptime Areas<\/h2>\n
Any cat will feel the urge to hide at some point, or at least retreat for some quiet time, or even just for a quick nap. Whether you provide it with an empty drawer or box, your cat will appreciate this.<\/p>\n
Some cat trees have resting boxes, that allow your cat to doze off undisturbed.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nThings aren\u2019t very different, whether we\u2019re talking about a kitten or an adult cat.<\/p>\n
Cats may be beautiful, but each has a different personality<\/a> and you\u2019ll want to know who you share your house with. Some may be shy, and won\u2019t allow too much contact, others might be stubborn and introvertive, so they will do things on their terms, while others may be playful, extrovertive, and eager for human companionship.<\/p>\n One of the first things you have to do after bringing your feline home is to watch it and assess its personality type.<\/p>\n Shyness is a typical cat trait. Although, by nature, felines are reluctant and skeptical, some are shyer and more scared than others. They fear and avoid human contact, and prefer being on their own and hiding most of the time. <\/p>\n Some eat while there\u2019s no one around them. With this kind of cat, it\u2019s best to encourage it to come to you, not force it in any way. They can get scared easily and lose trust in you. This type of cat needs a strong feeling of security, so provide multiple spaces where it can hide to feel safe<\/a>.<\/p>\n Place its food in a separate, quiet area. It may get scared and refuse to eat otherwise. Its native curiosity will drive it to know the house and other family members. But you always have to remember that shyness and reluctance never go away.<\/p>\n It\u2019s best to avoid letting this type of cat outside, if you have a backyard, because if it wanders away, it may get scared and forget its way home or get hurt by other cats.<\/p>\n Other cats are extrovertive, affectionate, alert, playful, and active. They act as if the world belongs to them. They will play with anyone, anytime. They will always greet guests as if they\u2019re house members. These cats tolerate other pets and children very well, small ones especially.<\/p>\n Some cats may be more aggressive. These cats dominate the house and are extremely unpredictable: they\u2019ll only do what they want when they want it.<\/a> Otherwise, they may exhibit aggressiveness. <\/p>\n They suddenly become affectionate when they want to obtain something, such as one more treat or a few extra kibbles, and spend the rest of their time sleeping alone. They don\u2019t do great with small children or other animals, especially dogs, as they feel threatened by them. As long as they\u2019re left alone, cats won\u2019t mind being in the same room with a human.<\/p>\n These cats need access to quiet rooms and hideout spaces to feel safe. Most of them run and hide after almost every aggression burst.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve had such a cat, for about 15 years, and it did only as it desired. It would climb onto my lap and sit there for hours. But, every time I wanted to pet it, it would bite and scratch my hand and then run away.<\/p>\n No matter your cat\u2019s personality type, it must trust you, for you to have the best relationship. You can achieve this by allowing it to come to you, rather than you going to her.<\/p>\n Avoid punishment and always use positive reinforcement, treats, praise, and lots of patience. Felines don\u2019t do well when punished, they tend to do the opposite.<\/p>\n No matter their personality type, cats have many pluses and minuses. It\u2019s up to you to see what is appropriate for you and your family.<\/p>\n Unlike dogs, cats are low maintenance. They don\u2019t need walks, regular bathing, or training, and can be house-trained fast. Most of them learn to use their litter box immediately.<\/p>\n Cats require little space, so they make great apartment pets. They also have lower grooming costs than other house animals.<\/p>\n They are more independent and do well on their own, so you can leave your cat home alone for a few days<\/a>, without worrying it\u2019ll develop separation anxiety.<\/p>\n Cats have a calming effect on their owners. Their purring makes people relax and even sleep better. Research has shown that cat purring has a healing impact on fractures and other lesions<\/a>.<\/p>\n Apart from their lovely character traits, cats can sometimes become obnoxious. They enjoy knocking things down and climbing virtually anywhere they can reach. So, hide away all your valuable objects such as art items, jewelry, and small objects such as needles, pins, buttons, hairpins, and other potentially harmful items, which your cat may be tempted to knock down and swallow.<\/p>\n This also means they can steal food, medicine, or other things they\u2019re not allowed to eat from the counter. A feline indigestion is the last thing you need.<\/p>\n If you have long curtains, it might be a good idea to get a set of shorter ones. Otherwise, they might end up being shredded by your cat, in their attempt to climb onto them.<\/p>\n Cats do love to crawl in every small space you can imagine. Unfortunately, some can get trapped. Avoid giving them access to these sorts of enclosures.<\/p>\n Most cats don\u2019t sleep in their kitty beds. Instead, they prefer couches or even your bed. Use affordable bed sheets that you can change more often, made from bamboo or linen, and avoid silk, velvet, and flannel ones, that collect hair and debris. <\/p>\n Linen and polyester bedspreads are easy to clean from all the hair that may add up, are claw-resistant, and protect your bed sheets.<\/p>\n They enjoy scratching furniture and rugs, so be sure to prepare a cat tree with a scratch post included<\/a>, to protect things in your house.<\/p>\n Some cats that are allowed outside can develop a prey instinct and bring inside all sorts of \u201cgifts\u201d for their owner: dead mice, reptiles, birds, or insects they\u2019ve caught themselves. As odd as this might seem, this is their way of saying \u201cthank you\u201d.<\/p>\n When bringing your new cat home, there will be some things you\u2019ll need to buy, such as a litter box, which comes in many shapes and sizes. Water and food bowls come next on the list. These should be made out of resistant materials, such as hard plastic or stainless steel, and easy to clean, to prevent bacterial overgrowth. Cleaning must be done daily.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also need some cat litter sand, that absorbs odors. These also come in many options and price ranges. The cheapest cat litter sand is clay cat or bentonite, which clumps well, absorbs urine, and only partially smells. <\/p>\n Litter must be cleaned almost after every use and clumped parts must be thrown away into the garbage, as it may clog pipes or the toilet. Also, it produces a fine dust, that allergic people may resent.<\/p>\n More expensive cat litter sands absorb smell better, clump well, or don\u2019t clump at all. You can try cat litter made from corn<\/a> if you\u2019re into more natural products. Cat pellets<\/a> are also a great alternative to fine dust-producing cat litter.<\/p>\n You can try a classical cat litter box, or a covered one if you\u2019ve got indoor space. For a better adjustment, you can get a corner-covered litter box<\/a>.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget about a scratching post, to prevent furniture clawing, or even a cat tree<\/a>, if you\u2019ve got enough room, and cat toys, to keep the feline entertained and on the move.<\/p>\n We recommend prospecting the market before buying anything, to see what suits your taste, budget, and space better.<\/p>\n Any cat will feel the urge to hide at some point, or at least retreat for some quiet time, or even just for a quick nap. Whether you provide it with an empty drawer or box, your cat will appreciate this.<\/p>\n Some cat trees have resting boxes, that allow your cat to doze off undisturbed.<\/p>\nCat Pros and Cons<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\nYour New Feline\u2019s Naptime Areas<\/h2>\n
![\"Cat](\"https:\/\/petfulness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/cat-eating-from-bowl.jpg\")