@theillustrafloor's post on Artfol
My boyfriend is planning on adopting a cat soon and we're excited! (Sterilized ofcourse).
I love cats, but I also keep distance from animals, because I am scared to startle them or get scratches, because I have been scratched by a mother cat when I was 9 (thought I was going to pick up her newborns).
Any cat owners here who have good advice about how to handle them and make them feel comfortable when meeting?
Thank you in advance.Jul 22, 2021
I love cats, but I also keep distance from animals, because I am scared to startle them or get scratches, because I have been scratched by a mother cat when I was 9 (thought I was going to pick up her newborns).
Any cat owners here who have good advice about how to handle them and make them feel comfortable when meeting?
Thank you in advance.Jul 22, 2021
#cat
#advice
#question
#loveanimals
Comments
When you first get the cat home, they’ll probably want to run under something immediately, so before you let them loose in your house, put the cat next to the litter box so they know where it is. Trust me, you DO NOT want cat pee on your floor.
Please make sure you feed the cat, they might not feel safe enough to meow at you for food at first
If you have carpet, you might want to either leave your door open or put a scratching post/box up against your door. My carpet is absolutely destroyed ;-;
Try to put a cat tree near a window, cats like looking outside
Have a treat bag handy, it can be the only way to get a cat out of an area you don’t want them in
Make a safe space for your cat, like a closed in area you can’t access the cat from, but block it before vet visits.
Speaking of vet visits, in my experience the best way to get a cat inna carrier is to 1. Have one that opens from the top and 2. Put the carrier in a small room without anything the cat can run under, then bring the cat in, close the door, and lift the cat into the carrier from the top
I hear plastic bowls can be bad for cats, so I’d go with a ceramic or metal food dish. (Also they have small water fountains for cats, just in case yours decides that only running water is good enough)
Hope this helps! ^^
Please make sure you feed the cat, they might not feel safe enough to meow at you for food at first
If you have carpet, you might want to either leave your door open or put a scratching post/box up against your door. My carpet is absolutely destroyed ;-;
Try to put a cat tree near a window, cats like looking outside
Have a treat bag handy, it can be the only way to get a cat out of an area you don’t want them in
Make a safe space for your cat, like a closed in area you can’t access the cat from, but block it before vet visits.
Speaking of vet visits, in my experience the best way to get a cat inna carrier is to 1. Have one that opens from the top and 2. Put the carrier in a small room without anything the cat can run under, then bring the cat in, close the door, and lift the cat into the carrier from the top
I hear plastic bowls can be bad for cats, so I’d go with a ceramic or metal food dish. (Also they have small water fountains for cats, just in case yours decides that only running water is good enough)
Hope this helps! ^^
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•Sit down to get on its level and offer your hand to it, then wait for it to come to you; the cat will sniff it and perhaps rub against it if it’s interested- then you can start petting, but keep an eye on body language! A fluffed up or twitching/lashing tail and head turning to follow your hand are some indicators of an impending bite or scratch. A friendly cat might roll over to expose their tummy, DO NOT PET THE TUMMY!! It’s a sign of trust because it’s one of their most vulnerable areas; some cats do like it, but it’s probably not a good idea to give belly rubs right away. The ears and head area are usually a good area though! Also, try not to stare; this is a sign of aggression. However, slow blinks (about a second long) are a sign of affection, showing it that you trust it not to attack if you close your eyes! It might even reciprocate the blinks! Also don’t pick up the cat unless it’s already pretty familiar with you (you’ll have to touch that vulnerable tummy area), but if you do later, support its chest/under front legs with one hand and her back legs/rear end with the other hand, and hug it against you (not squeezing it or anything, just not holding it out away from you lol) for additional support. Don’t hold an adult cat by the scruff; they’re too heavy for it and it can be painful! Most importantly, don’t force interaction. The cat will come to you when it’s ready ^^ (something I have trouble following with my own cat lol I bug her all the time) I’d also recommend reading some cat-care books for further tips if you haven’t already; there are a ton out there. Good luck with your cat!! :3
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