Choosing and Adopting a Cat

14 items · Lifestyle · Easy difficulty · 30 min

Prepare your home and welcome a new cat with confidence.

• Decide indoor or outdoor lifestyle

  Choose indoor, outdoor, or supervised outdoor access based on cat and home.

• Research age, breed, and temperament needs

  Match energy levels and care needs to your household and schedule.

• Cat-proof your home for hazards

  Walk through rooms at cat height to spot risks like cords and gaps.

• Secure windows, balconies, and screens

  Prevent falls and escape routes with screens or window guards.

• Remove toxic plants and secure household chemicals

  Store cleaners, medications, and small objects out of reach.

• Set up a single quiet safe room for arrival

  Use a small room to help the cat acclimate before exploring the home.

• Place hideaway, bedding, and a familiar-smelling towel

  Provide a covered bed and a soft blanket with a home scent.

• Place litter tray(s) away from feeding area

  Choose a low-traffic, easy-access spot with some privacy.

• Provide one litter box per cat plus one extra

  Place boxes on each floor if you have multiple levels.

• Set up feeding station with food and fresh water

  Use separate bowls and establish a consistent feeding spot and schedule.

• Install scratching posts and enrichment toys

  Offer vertical and horizontal posts near resting and window spots.

• Choose a local vet and book an initial check-up

  Register the cat, exchange adoption paperwork, and schedule an exam.

• Confirm vaccinations, microchip, and medical records

  Obtain copies of vaccine dates and the microchip ID before leaving shelter.

• Introduce the cat to the rest of the home gradually

  Use scent swapping and short supervised visits over several days.

Printed from TickYouOff — the interactive version tracks your progress and can be shared with others.