CUSTOM CAT CARE FROM SLEEP-EAS-ZZ…

So, you have decided to adopt a cat.  And, now that going to a shelter is possible, it should just be as simple as going to see the cats at the shelter and bringing one home- right?

Well, while that might be the case for some people, it is not always the best approach. If you want the process to be as smooth and easy as possible there are some things you need to keep in mind and some actions you may need to take into consideration.

What You Need to Look for When Adopting a Cat

There is much more to adding a new furbaby to your family than just selecting a name, a litter box, and a food bowl. You need to do a bit of homework first. To help you make the purr-fect selection, here are some pro tips.

1. Don’t go to just any shelter! Do some checking around and find out what shelters other pet owners in your area recommend. Then take the time to visit them and check out the conditions. While there talk to the employees and find out what they know about the animal’s health, habits, or background. If they can’t tell you much, then you may want to go somewhere else to adopt your cat.
2. Determine YOUR needs before adopting a cat. Remember that adopting is typically a long-term commitment, so be prepared for that. Also, factors such as Do you have younger children? Are you away from home a lot? How often do you have company over? Do you have other pets? Each of these factors can help you determine the best cat and personality you will want to adopt.
3. Does appearance matter? While it might sound like a silly question when adopting a cat, it is important. Be sure to choose a cat whose appearance makes you happy.
4. Decide on the gender. Save yourself some time when adopting a cat by deciding before going to the shelter, whether you want a boy or girl. Of course, if you don’t have a preference then no worries!
5. Do you want a long hair or short hair cat? A cat with long hair will require more time spent on grooming than a short-haired cat, plus you will have to deal with detangling matted hair.
6. Disposition is important! Be sure to choose a cat that will meet your desires. If you want a cat to cuddle up on the couch with you, then you may prefer a more mature cat, while a younger kitten is going to have a more playful, inquisitive personality.

Adopting a cat is always a great idea. Just be sure to plan ahead so that bringing home your furry friend is a smooth transition. If you have any questions about adopting a cat, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to help you.

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If you have been thinking about adopting a cat, then being sure your home is ready for a new fur baby is a must. Whether it is your first cat adoption or your fifth, you must be prepared for your new addition to your home.  After all, no two cats are the exactly same and it is important to prepare for and learn what you can about your new fur baby before they become a part of your household.

Cat Adoption: What You Should Ask

Depending on whether you pursue your cat adoption through a pet fostering service or a rescue organization, it is helpful to talk to the current caregivers to learn a bit about your soon to be your cat. As part of the conversation(s) you should have, there are several questions and bits of information you will need to make your cat adoption go smoothly.

Here some things to inquire about when adopting a cat:

• Food Faves- Does the cat you are adopting have a specific type of food? Be sure to find out if your new fur baby prefers a specific type of food. It may be that the current caregivers have only fed the cat dry food, or just wet, or a mixture of both. Knowing what the cat is accustomed to so you can do the same will make transiting easier.
• Litter Boxes – Not every cat wants an enclosed space to do their business, nor do all cats want an open-air liter pan. Find out what they are familiar with and set up your space for that. If you already have a cat, then you need to get a second litter box as not all cats are happy about sharing their space. Even better, a good rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat, plus one extra.
• Social interaction(s) – Do you have children? What about other pets/cats? If so, then you will want to find out how the cat behaves with social interaction. Not every cat wants to be a part of a crowd or is inclined to young children. Talking to the current caregiver can help. Of course, some cats will surprise you and have a totally different personality when introduced to a new scenario.
• Personality – Every cat has a personality of its own. Finding out- in advance- that the cat you are planning to adopt meows a lot or is timid, is super curious or any other character trait will help.
• Health – If you are doing a cat adoption from a shelter, chances are that your cat has already been spayed or neutered. However, be sure to ask about any other medical/health concerns or procedures that comprise the cat’s health journey. Then, be sure to pass this info on to your vet.

Cat adoption is a great way to make your home a happier place to be while providing a much-needed home to a fun-loving fur ball. And, when you take time to learn about your new cat before bringing him or her home you can be sure to make it a smooth transition for everyone involved.

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While cats and dogs are certainly common household pets, oftentimes cats get a bum rap. However, there are many reasons why you should opt to make a cat a part of your household. In fact, one study recently found that more than 35 million households (roughly 25%)  in the U.S. have at least one cat. So, if you have been considering adding a new member to your household, a cat is a great choice. Here’s why-

Why Should You Choose to Have a Cat?

Think about it- dogs are great but as indoor pets, you have to deal with them needing to outside for bathroom breaks, you must take them for walks, and then there is their habit of smelling/sniffing your guests. With cats, none of these ‘concerns’ exist. In fact, there are numerous reasons why cats make the best indoor pets, so let’s get started.

• Easily entertained. They are just as happy with a crumpled-up piece of paper or cardboard box as they are with a toy purchased at the pet store.
• Once trained to use a litter box, you only have to deal with a clean-up job once every few days rather than needing to take the cat out for a bathroom break.
• They are the ideal pet for teaching children a little responsibility. After all, they really just need to have food, water, and love.
• Cats like to be clean and do much of this for themselves. The only way the grooming becomes an added task for you is if your cat has long hair- in which case, you will need to brush them to keep it from becoming matted. (Fortunately, most cats like to be held, so this is an easy task to accomplish!)
• Want to keep mice away? If you periodically have mice problems in your home then a cat is a great deterrent. Cats are natural hunters so keeping unwanted pests away is their forte.
• Cat owners are smarter. Sound crazy? Sure. But a study by Carroll University in Wisconsin found that cat owners scored higher on intelligence than dog owners did.
• Owning a cat can actually help your young children learn social skills as well as help them cope with stressful scenarios.
• Because cats are quiet they are a better choice for apartment living.
• When comes to your bottom line, cats cost less than a medium or large dog because they need less, food, less grooming, and fewer toys.
• Cats don’t put you on a guilt trip when you leave. Whereas dogs will bark or pout when they hear you open the door or say something about ‘going out’, cats love having the house to themselves plus if they get bored they will simply go to sleep.

Cats make purr-fect pets. From being relatively low maintenance and fairly quiet to bringing a sense of calm, choosing a feline friend will complete your home. If you have any questions about selecting the best cat for your home, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.  With so many years of experience, we have learned a great deal about choosing a cat for your family.

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