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Bowl Leader
When you’re no longer a rising star on this bowl
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Additional Posts in Cats of Fishbowl
Visual Storyteller
Could she BE any happier?
Forcing me to use my standing desk
Visual Storyteller
I think she’s ready for me to be done today 🤷♀️
Visual Storyteller
Living her warmest, cuddliest life 🔥
Visual Storyteller
Visual Storyteller
Too hard to resist 😼
Visual Storyteller
Enthusiast
Rising Star
Everything's a toy when you're a kitten!
Visual Storyteller
Visual Storyteller
My very serious business cat
Visual Storyteller
Rising Star
Hanging out in his pride tunnel
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Congratulations 🎊!
Keep the kitty hydrated- get a small water fountain if you can. keep the Litter box clean. They will pretend they are hungry a couple of hours after you have fed them… don’t fall for it always Hahaa… Cuddles on demand and plenty of play time! You will do great!
Yay, congrats! Agree with the above, also I would either get her microchipped or at least an engraved collar with your phone number on it - just in case! Treats, cuddles, play time and you will figure it out as you go 😸 and maybe pet insurance… once the vet bills started getting really expensive my senior cats didn’t qualify due to pre-existing conditions and were denied 😹
Visual Storyteller
Don't ever put a collar on a cat. The collar can get hung up on something and choak them to death. If you must put one on, make sure it's a break away collar. The rescue group should have already microchiped and tattooed the kitty, if not this is ideal.
Hooray congrats!! Also recently became a first time cat pawrent so am super excited for you! 😺 Looking back, along with getting the necessities, I would buy a few toys so that she doesn’t get bored. If you plan to do wet foods, get a variety pack so you can see what she likes. Also, remember to ask the adoption center to give you all the medical history they have on her. Not sure if you’re getting a trained cat, but if not you’ll need to cat proof the house for any wires etc. Lastly, it might be tempting to cuddle and smother her with love once you get home, but give her some space first to explore and get used to you. Then she’ll come to you with all the cuddles and head boops 😻🥰
Yea, and this too! 😻
Congrats!! We expect and demand photos this weekend!!!
Great advice above. I’ll add my own. Get pet insurance!!
Yes, this is good to get as well :)
Enthusiast
If it’s a younger kitten/cat, I would take time to play with them. Is there a window they can sit at to watch the outdoors? Congrats! This is so exciting.
Congrats! This is an exciting journey!
Advice from an animal rescue person:
Be patient with acclimating your new fur baby to their new environment. You may encounter some behavior issues, that’s normal. Take the time to work through them. Establish early on where food and litter will go. Keep to a routine. It’ll help settle the cat in.
Get a good vet that will listen to you and answer questions. Also one who will be honest with you about pet care. Don’t be afraid to change vets if you’re not happy.
Microchip and keep it up to date in case anything ever happens.
Try different foods both wet & dry to see what the kitty likes. It can be a balancing act sometimes. Also make sure the dry food is high in crude protein, 30% or above is best. If it’s a kitten, get good kitten food and pick up some kitten milk too. It’s a nice treat.
I suggest wide blows with low sides so your cat doesn’t get whisker fatigue. A water fountain is also good. Just make sure to clean it weekly.
Invest in good litter , litter box, toys, perches, & climbing trees.
Make sure you use flea prevention (topical is best, but if you can get the shot or pill those are good too) even if it’s not an outdoor cat. Fleas can be brought into the home by accident.
Know what you are comfortable with when it comes to spaces. If you allow it once it’ll be hard to break the habit, i.e. if the cat is allowed on the counter or not, if you want to share a sleeping space with the cat, etc.
Learn your cats body language, it will tell you a lot about your feline friend. Not all cats are lap cats or like cuddles, are you prepared to be okay with that if your cat decides not to be a lap cat?
Get pet insurance & either have a pet emergency fund or something like care credit. Things happen & vet bills are expensive.
I know this is sad to think about but what kind of money are you willing to spend on your pets vet care if something happens? What is the plan for your pet if something happens to you? I know it’s not something we want to think about but I have had many many fosters who lost their human and the humans family didn’t want the cat so they end up in a shelter or foster home. Have a plan.
If you travel find a really good pet sitter you trust. Have the cat get to know them before you have to travel. I always suggest 2 weeks/5 visits before you leave them alone.
Cats like routine and stability, major disruptions can cause anxiety, health issues, and behavior issues.
Harness and leash train your cat. Makes it easier to travel with them.
Practice using the carrier with them too. Do short car rides or public transportation trips to help them get used to however you’ll be transporting them for the vet.
Create a physical and digital file for all your pets records. This way you can always access information when needed.
If you choose to get a pet tag DO NOT put your pets name on it. Put your name and number. This way strangers won’t know your pets name.
Take pictures at each stage of the cats aging. This way if they get lost or you need to prove they are yours, you have an up to date picture.
Give lots of love, time, and care as well. Playtime is very important and helps keep your cat fit and happy.
People don’t believe it but you can train your cat with treats and patience. It’s good mental work for them and it can make your life easier in the long run.
Hopefully some of this helps and if you need more advice don’t hesitate to comment/reach out. I’ve been in the rescue community for most of my life so I’m always happy to help a new owner out.
Thank you everyone! Here she is!! She’s settling in nicely. Hope she’ll be as happy here as she has already made me.
Visual Storyteller
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