Adopting a Cat? 12 Cat Adoption Mistakes to Avoid
Adopting a new cat is incredibly exciting. From picking out the perfect name to readying the ultimate cat-friendly casa, there’s so much to look forward to! However, cat adoption can often be a bit overwhelming, too. And that goes for first-time cat parents and seasoned cat moms and dads alike.
Welcoming a furry feline BFF to your home is a serious commitment. It requires careful consideration and plenty of preparation. Here’s a first-time cat owner checklist of what not to do if you’re considering a new kitty companion.
Set yourself up for success by avoiding these common cat adoption mistakes!
Rushing Into Adoption
Caring for a cat is infinitely rewarding, but it also requires significant time, effort, and money. Before looking at adoptable cats, make sure all members of your household are on board with the idea.
“Discuss the idea with the entire family,” urges Steve Dale, a Chicago-based certified animal behavior consultant (CABC) and adoption advocate. “While cats are less of a time commitment than dogs, they do take time, and there’s the financial commitment to consider, as well.”
It’s easy to get lost in the excitement of searching for (and finding!) your kitty soul mate. But there are plenty of less exciting pet parent chores to consider, too. Like litter box scooping.
Make sure you have a plan for how to handle such tasks before you seal the deal with your adorable adoptee.
Not Considering Finances
Though cats don’t come with big-ticket costs like cars and college tuition, pet parenting can still be expensive. The ASPCA estimates cat parents generally spend around $630 a year on their kitty.
However, that figure includes only routine veterinary care, food, treats, and toys. If your cat has a medical emergency or requires more complex veterinary care for things like urinary issues or feline diabetes, expenses can add up quickly.
Take a hard look at your budget before you add another mouth to feed. And make sure you have a plan for covering unexpected expenses, like accidents or illnesses. A good general rule: The first expense you’ll encounter is the adoption fee. If that cost is a financial burden, rethink your readiness for a pet.
Not Asking Questions
Unless you speak fluent cat or have feline ESP, you’re probably relying on looks and instinct to find your perfect cat match.
However, you can’t learn much about a cat’s unique preferences, quirks, and personality that way. Not to mention health history or any potential issues. For the true inside scoop, it’s important to come prepared with questions for the shelter staff.
“Ask the adoption counselor about the cats’ personalities, and honestly describe your family,” advises Dale. “Generally, shelters are pretty adept at making matches — sort of Tinder for felines. They spend all day every day with the cats; you only get a snapshot.”
Only Looking at Kittens
Who doesn’t want a kitten? Famously cute, curious, and cuddly, itty-bitty kitties are often the most popular pets at any shelter. However, it’s a good idea to remain open to a cat or kitten when you visit the shelter.
Kittens can be very active and constantly crave attention. And that means they may not be the perfect match for everyone. If you’re not prepared to keep your always-on, high-energy housemate entertained, adopting an older cat may be the right fit for you.
“Kittens are so cute and so much fun – and even more work,” says Dale. “People often forget just how much work it was, and romanticize years later. The older cats tend to be more mellow, and will quickly catch on to basic rules.”
Failing to Cat-Proof Your Home
Before bringing home a new cat, ensure the environment is safe for your curious feline friend. Here are a few cat care tips for beginners to keep your kitty safe.
- Make sure window screens are sturdy and secure
- Tie up cords for blinds and curtains
- Replace toxic house plants with cat-safe greenery
- Remove or secure choking hazards
- Ensure doors close fully
- Secure loose wires
- Keep toilets closed around kittens (if you have young children, toilet locks can help)
Not Creating a Safe Space
A new cat shouldn’t be given access to the entire house. Instead, provide your cat with a safe space they can use as a home base. This should be somewhere away from the hustle and bustle, says animal behavior manager Karen Reese from Operation Kindness, an animal shelter in north Texas.
“Cats adjusting to a new home may not do well with a lot of noise and traffic,” says Reese.
“Set up a safe area in a bedroom or bathroom. That way, the cat can have this space all to themselves at first.”
This space should include necessities (food, water, and a litter box) as well as creature comforts (a cozy bed, a scratching post, and toys).
Spend time bonding with your cat somewhere safe to help them settle into their new home. Then offer them more freedom to explore over the next few days.
“As your cat gets comfortable, you can offer them more space in your home,” says Reese. “But make sure they always have access to their safe area.”
“It can also help to ensure they have access to other hiding spaces around your home,” she continues. “These can be under or behind furniture, covered cat beds, or even boxes turned on their sides.”
Forcing Interactions
Some cats will jump right in your lap and never look back. However, most cats will need more time to warm up…and that’s perfectly normal! Never force your new pet to interact if they’re not ready.
“Cats are often nervous of new places and situations – it’s how they survived in the wild,” says Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, MRCVS. “As vets, we like to use the adage ‘go slow to go fast’ with cats. In other words: keep quiet, keep calm, and let your cat come to you.”
Expecting Your Cat to Adjust Right Away
Being scared, skittish, or “standoffish” is normal for a new cat. So don’t worry if your new pet is hesitant or even hides. It’s not a reflection of their true personality or your future relationship.
“I once fostered a rescue cat who hid for a whole week and didn’t eat at all for the first two days,” says Dr. Woodnutt. “After about a week, she started to explore the rest of the house. And a couple of weeks after that, she turned into a chatty, confident little girl.”
“It’s nothing to worry about if your cat is nervous at first,” she continues. “You’ll still form a great bond, and it’s worth the wait!”
Introducing Pets Too Quickly
The last thing most cats want to see is a new furry friend bounding up to greet them. If you have other pets in your home, Dale suggests introducing the new cat slowly and cautiously.
“A gradual introduction is a must,” he urges. “It can take weeks to introduce a new cat to existing cats.”
Here’s how to introduce cats to their new animal housemates, according to Dale. The new cat should first “meet” your other pets in a controlled manner to help them feel secure. Introduce your animals by allowing them to hear and smell each other while on opposite sides of a closed door.
Ideally, your new cat should be in their “safe space” behind a closed door, with the other pets on the opposite side.
Next, set up a baby gate and supervise meetings through the gate. Eventually, allow your new pet to enter the communal space at their own pace.
Not Establishing a Routine
In the excitement of bringing home a new pet, it can be easy to deviate from the routine of everyday life. However, consistency is key for making cats feel comfortable! “Cats are enormous creatures of habit,” says Reese.
Establishing a routine and doing your best to stick to it creates a sense of consistency and trust. Feed your cat at the same times each day, schedule regular play sessions, and try to stick to a predictable work schedule, suggests Reese.
It may feel a bit like the movie “Groundhog Day,” but that dependable routine will help your cat adjust.
Not Researching Veterinarians
Don’t wait until your new cat has a medical problem to make a veterinary appointment. The best time to start researching veterinarians in your area is before you bring your new cat home. You can even schedule introductory appointments to get a feel for the practice and staff before you commit.
Finding a vet you feel comfortable with is an important first step to helping your pet live a long, happy, healthy life.
“While some shelters do offer veterinary care and basic vaccines, they don’t generally have time or resources for deep dives,” says Dale. So even if your cat gets a clean bill of health from the shelter, it’s still worth scheduling a new cat appointment with your own vet.
“What’s more, you want to make those veterinary visits positive experiences from day one,” Dale says.
He recommends finding a Fear Free Certified veterinary practice for your new cat. Vets certified in fear-free techniques specialize in caring for fearful, anxious, or stressed-out pets.
All too often, “cats literally think they are going to die when visiting the vet,” Dale says. “It doesn’t need to be this way,” he continues. Finding the right vet to put your cat at ease can make all the difference.
Yelling at Your Cat
As your new cat learns your house rules and routines, they’ll probably make mistakes. But no matter what kitty mishaps you encounter — from scratched furniture to cat peeing everywhere — try to remain calm and patient.
Never yell at or scruff your cat as a form of punishment. Doing so can cause further setbacks and damage your bond. Instead, use positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviors, says Reese.
“Positive reinforcement allows cats to associate specific actions and behaviors as good or bad,” she explains. “By using treats to compliment good behavior, they can begin to understand that you’re a friend, not a foe.”
Home Sweet Home: Setting Yourself Up for Adoption Success
Adopting and settling in a new pet requires time, patience, and know-how. The reward? A lifelong bond with your happy, healthy, well-adjusted companion!
If you can avoid these first-time cat owner mistakes, you should see signs your new cat is adjusting in no time. Then it’s nothing but “Happy Tails” for you and your new feline friend.
