Bringing a cat into your home is an exciting and fulfilling experience. As a first-time cat owner, it's essential to be prepared and equipped with the knowledge to provide your new feline friend with a safe, happy, and healthy life. 

This guide will help you navigate the journey of cat ownership, from initial preparations to everyday care and bonding. Have a question along the way? Contact your Parker & Ace vet team.

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Prep your home

Before your new cat arrives, you’ll want to ensure your home is cat-friendly:

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Get essential supplies 

To meet your cat's basic needs, gather the following supplies:

• Litter Box: Choose a large, easily accessible litter box and provide unscented, clumping litter. Scoop daily and replace litter regularly.
• Food and Water Bowls: Opt for sturdy, non-tip bowls and provide fresh water daily. Offer a balanced, age-appropriate cat food recommended by your Parker & Ace veterinarian.
• Scratching Post: Cats naturally scratch to exercise and maintain their claws. Make sure to buy a sturdy post that they can scratch on—and that will also protect your furniture.
• Toys and Enrichment: Offer a variety of toys to keep your cat mentally stimulated. Include interactive toys, feather wands, and puzzle feeders.

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Create a safe space 

Once you’ve gotten all the supplies, designate a quiet area with a cozy bed, litter box, and scratching post for your cat to retreat to when they need to feel extra comfortable and safe. 

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Cat-proof your home

Safeguard your home by securing toxic substances, hiding electrical cords, and removing fragile or hazardous items that could harm your cat. Cats are curious creatures so you’ll need to make windows have screens, balconies are not easily accessible, and that small openings are closed or hidden.

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Tip: Please quarantine your kitten until this first visit to avoid exposing other pets (especially in your household). 

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Nutrition

For optimal development, kittens require a different balance of nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. Feeding your kitten a high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet formulated for kittens will help them mature into a healthy adult cat.

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What to eat

While they may reach his adult size before one year of age, it is important to continue with a kitten-specific diet until one year, while his digestive, immune, and neurologic systems are still developing.

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The AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) has developed guidelines for the nutritional needs of pets at different life stages and for how nutrition information is to be displayed. At a minimum, look for kitten foods with this statement:

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“BRAND AND DIET NAME is formulated to meet the nutrition levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for growth.”

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Some pet food brands will boast this statement without formally testing their diets to prove that they do in fact meet the guidelines. You will know a brand has gone the extra mile if the statement reads:

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“Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that BRAND AND DIET NAME provides complete and balanced nutrition for growing kittens.”

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Your Parker & Ace veterinarian can help you select the most appropriate diet for your kitten. Your kitten’s caloric (energy) needs will also change throughout the development phase (especially after being spayed or neutered); your veterinarian can guide you on feeding portions for healthy weight management.

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Staying hydrated

To help your kitten stay hydrated, offer both kibble and canned food at mealtimes and ensure fresh drinking water is always available. Many cats prefer to drink from a water fountain.

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What NOT to eat?

It is best not to feed cats anything other than food that is made just for them. Many common food items and plants can be harmful to cats, including:

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• Onion (all varieties)
• Garlic
• Chocolate
• Raw egg, meat, bone, and yeast dough
• Grapes and raisins
• Dairy containing lactose
• Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages
• Lilies
• Tulips
• Daffodils
• Marijuana
• Aloe vera
• Cilantro 
• Azalea

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There are several other plants and flowers that are harmful to cats, so if you are not sure about some of those in your home, consult your Parker & Ace vet team for advice. 

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Tip: Because many cats enjoy how plants feel in their mouths, you can offer “cat grass”, which is grown from any combination of oat, wheat, barley, and rye seeds.

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Daily Care

Part of being a responsible and loving pet parent is ensure your cat's daily needs are met. Here’s what we recommend:

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• Feeding and Nutrition: Feed your cat the appropriate portion of quality cat food at regular intervals. Avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity. 
• Treats: Try a variety of treats to see which type your kitten loves the most. You can then use this favored treat as a special reward in positive reinforcement training. You can treat your kitten when he uses the litter box, scratches his post, or goes into his carrier. To maintain the treat’s value, avoid giving them “just because” or giving too many. 
• Hygiene and Grooming: Cat’s are very clean animals but they can use extra love from their parents every now and then. Brush your cat's coat regularly to reduce shedding and hairballs, trim nails and clean their ears as needed, and brush their teeth regularly to maintain oral health.
• Play and Exercise: Engage in interactive play sessions to keep your cat mentally stimulated and physically active. Set aside time each day for play.
• Litter Box Maintenance: Scoop the litter box daily and change the litter as needed, and regularly wash the litter box with mild detergent.

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Wellness and Medical Care

Maintaining your cat's health is crucial to a happy and healthy life. That’s where your Parker & Ace vet team come in.

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Schedule a Veterinary Visit:

Bring your new cat to Parker & Ace so we can meet your new family member, perform a comprehensive wellness examination, and get started on a vaccination program.

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Plan to spend some extra time during your kitten’s first visit to Parker & Ace. During this first visit we will give your pet a complete physical exam, update all necessary vaccines, provide deworming medication and spend time educating you on your new kitten's needs.

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Our new kitten health care services include:

• Periodic Wellness Exams
• Vaccinations
• Kitten nutrition
• Behavior training
• Litter box training
• Planning for spaying and neutering

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Vaccinations:

‍Some infectious diseases are fatal and vaccinations can protect your kitten or cat from many of these diseases. To be effective, immunizations must be given as a series of injections at prescribed intervals, so it is essential that you are on time for your kitten’s scheduled vaccinations. Immunizations are started at 6-8 of age and are repeated every 3-4 weeks until the kitten is 16-20 weeks old.

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The core vaccinations will protect your kitten from the most common diseases: feline distemper (panleukopenia), feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpes virus 1), calicivirus, feline leukemia (FeLV), and rabies. The first three are included in a combination vaccine (FVRCP) given every three to four weeks until your kitten reaches 16-20 weeks of age. 

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The FeLV vaccination can be administered as early as eight weeks of age with a booster vaccine administered three to four weeks later. The rabies vaccine is usually given once, at 12-16 weeks of age.

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Learn all about kitten & cat vaccinations in this article.

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Spaying or Neutering:

Unless you plan to breed, spaying or neutering your cat is essential to prevent health issues and control the cat population. We do this around 16-30 weeks, and can incorporate this task into your new pet timeline at Parker & Ace.

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Parasite Prevention:

Protect your cat from fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms by using veterinarian-recommended preventive treatments. You can learn more about these parasites in this article.

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Schedule regular Check-ups:

Come in to Parker & Ace for annual or biannual vet visits to monitor your cat's health, address any concerns, and stay up to date on vaccinations.

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Building a Strong Bond

A strong bond is something that needs to be nurtured. While, at times, it can feel in the beginning that your cat isn’t as obsessed with you as you’d like, keep in mind that a long and loving relationship takes time, patience, and acts of love.

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• Practice Patience and Empathy: Everything is different for them—this means they need time to adjust to their new surroundings. Offer gentle interaction and a calm environment so that they can get comfortable in their new home.
• Use Positive Reinforcement: Reward desired behaviors with treats or praise. Avoid punishment, as it can damage trust and hinder bonding.
• Spend Quality Time: Engage in activities that you know your cat enjoys. Provide cozy spots for cuddling, create a safe space for your cat to relax, and play with them when they are feeling playful.
• Get to Know Your Cat: Learn your cat's body language so you can understand their needs and emotions. Pay attention to their vocalizations and tail movements. Use their physical expression to understand their needs.

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Become part of the Parker & Ace family today” and drive users to join Parker & Ace.

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