After a few days in your home, your cat will likely start settling into their new surroundings. It's time to start thinking about long-term care and making sure you're prepared for a long, happy life together. Here are some basics to get you started in the first month.
The right bedding for beauty sleep. Cats can sleep up to 18 hours a day, so creating the right conditions for your new cat is important.
- Make sure bedding is soft and washable, and place it inside a basket, small box, cosy corner or a particularly ideal sunny spot of the house
- Beware of letting your cat sleep with you. Remember that cats tend to be nocturnal, which may disrupt your sleep. If late night antics wake you up, gently put your cat on the floor. Don't reward a disruption with attention or you're inviting your cat to wake you up over and over
Typical toys. Good toys for cats are easy to find and widely available at pet specialty stores. Ask your veterinarian for specific recommendations to help determine the best toys for your specific cat.
Safe on the go. Cat carriers are the safest, most comfortable way to travel. Before hitting the road, take time to familiarise your cat with the carrier by storing toys in it or making it a cosy place for a nap inside your home.
Proper identification. Always have an ID tag and proper registration information attached to your cat's collar (rabies, license, etc.). A collar should fit with some slack but not so loose that it slips over your cat's head. Allow two finger-widths of space between the neck and collar.
Tasty Tips
Laws of the litter box. For single cat homes, you need at least two litter boxes for easy accessibility - one for each floor of your home. A home with multiple cats requires one more litter box than the total number of cats. The litter box should be at least 1½ times the length of your cat and once placed shouldn't be moved to different locations. Please note that not all cats like litter box covers or liners.
- Make sure the litter box is in an easy-to-find, quiet place away from high-traffic areas of the house where other pets or people won't likely disrupt your cat's routine
- Litter boxes should be placed in different locations in the house, not in the same room
- Fill your cat's litter box with about an inch-and-a-half of natural clay or clumping litter. Although clay and clumping litters are preferred by cats, some cats have a preference for different litter textures. If your cat will not use clay or clumping litter, try different litters until you find one your cat prefers
- Scoop twice daily and change litter completely every week because your cat will prefer to use a clean litter box. Consider feeding a cat food that reduces stool odour. Always wash the box with a mild detergent before refilling it with litter
- Never touch or disrupt your cat while using the litter box
- Contact your veterinarian if your cat goes to the bathroom outside the litter box, stays in the litter box longer than normal, or vocalises while in the box because a medical problem might be the cause
SOURCE: Hill's Pet Nutrition "The Guide for Lifelong Health"©2008
Related products
Perfect Digestion Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Perfect Digestion Cat Food with Chicken & Brown Rice nourishes your cat's unique microbiome and helps them reach their full potential.
Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Wet Cat Food with Turkey is a complete pet food for adult cats, aged 1–6 years. This highly digestible wet food comes in a pouch and supports healthy digestion, as well as nourishes skin and promotes a thick and lustrous coat.
Sterilised Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Sterilised Cat Dry Food with Salmon is specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology. It is a precisely balanced nutrition, tailored to meet the needs of sterilised cats, to help keep them lean & healthy.
Hairball & Perfect Coat Adult Dry Cat Food with Chicken
Hill's Science Plan Hairball & Perfect Coat Adult Cat Food with Chicken is formulated to effectively help avoid hairball formation in adult cats while promoting a beautiful coat. Thanks to its mix of essential omega-6 fatty acids, this food benefits the cat's skin and fur, keeping them healthy and shiny. Our Advanced Fibre Technology helps reduce hairballs by naturally promoting their passage through the gut. This food is formulated with high-quality protein for a perfectly balanced, great-tasting recipe.
Related articles
How Often Should You Feed A Cat?
Feeding time can be a wonderful bonding opportunity for you and your cat. Find out how to make the most of it and create a healthy habit with HIll's Pet UK.
How To Feed a Cat With a Sensitive Stomach
Discover what you can do to spot and support a sensitive cat stomach. See what routines and food you can implement to help your cat be happy and healthy.
How To Support Your Cat’s Digestion
Find out about how you can support your cat's digestion to boost overall health. Diet is key to a long and happy life for your cat, so discover what you can do.
Hill's Cat Foods: Nutritional Balance Just for Indoor Cats
Find the right Hill
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.