Adopting a cat can be very fulfilling. They can be very soothing companions and sources of delight. With that said, you want to know all of the necessary precautions so that their home experience is perfect. Otherwise, adopting a cat may not be for you. When learning how to adopt a cat, keep these tips in mind.

Adjust Your Body Language Expectations

Cats are not like dogs. A happy dog is relatively more sociable and can veer towards a group for playtime. In contrast, cats need to establish their standing with other living beings with him they interact, including dogs, other people, and cats. They may not like cuddles or play fetch. Some may not even make eye contact. Cats express affection and dislike in various ways.

How do you read a cat’s moods? Look at their tails, spines, and gazes. When their fur is standing up on one end, it means that the cat is agitated and may either be scared or angry; try not to approach them at this time and let them calm down on their own. If their tail is up and they’re approaching you, then they want to spend time with you. Head butts are a sign of affection, especially for napping owners, as are body rubs. If a cat’s eyes are dilated, walk away slowly; it means they are in a pouncing mode. When they blink slowly, that means they are very satisfied.

Can you train a cat? To a lesser extent, some breeds and individual felines can receive positive reinforcement, but the cat trains you primarily. They designate boundaries, what is their territory, and what belongs to them. If you know the body language, some of which are subtle, then you can both coexist and cooperate.

Research Your Breeds

Not all cat breeds are the same. While you can adopt a mix and no two pure breeds are the same, it can give you a general warning. Ragdolls, for example, are some of the rarest cats but are said to be the most playful. Maine Coons are said to be very smart and also skilled at training their humans. Longer-haired Turkish Angoras may require constant brushing to avoid them spitting up hairballs.

Don’t forget to read up on your pet’s personality as well. Some are good with kids and other pets, while others prefer a solo act. If you can see them on a videoconferencing call or meet them in person, you can figure out if they choose you or not.

Prepare Your Living Space

Check lease policies and any homeowners’ association rules to see if they allow for viable pet ownerships. Some apartments don’t allow you to have dogs and cats. If that’s the case, then you want to avoid needing to rehome ahead of time. In terms of any homeowners’ association, see if there are regulations about outdoor enclosures, cleaning up after felines, and leashing your cats.

Hide electrical cords or put them in thick insulation. Cats like to gnaw on various things and you would rather if they didn’t get electrocuted. Put scratching posts all over the house so that a cat doesn’t decide to gnaw on your computer. Make sure that high areas are reachable in the case that they climb and get stuck.

Keep feeding stations separate from the litter box but in a reachable distance. Cats hate getting their whiskers soaked, so make sure that the bowls are designed for their comfort. Make sure that the litter used is odor-proof and safe for the cats’ paws; if you are rescuing a cat that has been declawed — do NOT declaw your cat — then make sure that the litter isn’t providing discomfort for them.

We don’t recommend letting your cats wander outside unless they’re on a leash. They are notorious hunters and risk getting into accidents with cars and other animals. Wild creatures like rats and raccoons may take advantage of pet doors to sneak inside your house, which can create pest control issues. If possible, set up a cat patio, with a screen enclosure. This way your cats can enjoy sunlight and the outdoors without endangering themselves or the local wildlife.

When you don’t own a cat yet, you need to prepare a space that they can call their own. This can be a bathroom, a living room, or a garage even. If they decide to hide, let them wait until they adjust. If you have another pet, make the introduction gradual for them. Some cats are fine with having neighbors.

Prepare for the possibility that cats may decide to wake up at 3 AM and run around. Play with them during the day and feed them close to their bedtime.

Adopting A Cat Remotely

With all of these concerns, you may want to consider adopting a cat remotely. Remote adoption would involve sponsoring a pet on a regular basis, usually by the month, and receiving updates on them. Wildlife centers do remote adoptions with endangered species, so as to support research into local habitats as well as paying for upkeep.

In addition, the foster care that we provide ensures that the cats are happy, with adequate space and toys. The money that you use for adoption will cover their healthcare costs as well, from medicines to brushing.

Add A Remote Family Member With RescueStray

RescueStray is revolutionizing the way that we do adoption. We rescue animals that otherwise would not have homes, including cats or kittens with special needs. You won’t have to worry about having to meet your cat to take care of them.

Reach out to us today to schedule your first adoption. RescueStray will be ready to help provide a home for your dog or cat of choice. Let us streamline your pet care and give a rescue a better life.