Things a First Time Cat Owner Should Know

The one thing I realized after getting Alley, was that having a cat is not the same as having a dog or any other animal. Cats don't need walking, but insist on a clean place to go to pee. And a first time cat owner will know quickly if the cat doesn't like the cleaning job. Bandit, my gray longhair, came out to the living room one day and squatted right there in front of the TV because I didn't clean the litter box well enough. Cats don't wait for you to get up like dogs. Alley used to come up on the bed and pat my nose until I got up. Jack, the tuxedo cat, took over after Alley died and pokes my face. Cats are more stubborn than dogs. A first time cat owner will notice this when their cat refuses to stay down from a lap or counter. Dogs patiently wait while you make food; cats let you know when you are not moving fast enough when dishing out food.

Cat Hide and Seek

One thing to know as a first time cat owner is that your cat is not lost if you can't find it immediately in the house. Jack, the tuxedo cat, loves the underside of the couch and the inside of my closet. Bandit hides in holes of the computer desk. Alley used to use the top of my old mobile home as a sun porch. Once you know where the favorite spots are, those are the first you check. Along the same line, when you first bring a cat home, unless they come in on their own, they will hide for at least 24 hours; don't worry, leave out a dish of food and water and they'll sneak out to eat when they're hungry. Eventually they will come out to say hello; this is how cats get used to their new home.

If this is your first cat, remember to plug up any holes both inside and outside the house. Cats can get into drains, sheds, downspouts, and under the porch if there is enough of an opening. Also double check when you leave the door open to any cabinets, washers, dryers, refrigerators, closets or microwaves. Cats climb into and onto anything that looks interesting. Also check the laundry before dumping the basket into the washer. Alley loved laundry. Jack loves under the kitchen sink and on top of the shower. Bandit likes washers and refrigerators.

Clean is Essential

To a cat, clean is everything. To a first time cat owner this may seem fanatical, but it is true for every cat. They clean themselves as much as they sleep. Cats also insist on clean areas where they eat and dispose of waste. If the litter box is dirty, or if there is a health issue with your cat, the cat will either avoid the litter box or try to avoid touching the litter. Bandit will straddle the litter box if he really needs to go but doesn't want to touch the litter. Where dogs can go just anywhere except where they sleep, cats prefer one specific place. If you have more than one cat, you need multiple litter boxes. Cats also will not eat within site of their litter box.