Cat's Meow: Get Your Home Ready for a New Pet

It's so exciting to move into your first home! For many new homeowners, it's also your first opportunity to get a pet. Our REALTORS® understand, and to make that experience a little easier for you, they have assembled a few tips for bringing home a new kitten. 

• Litter Box
  The very first thing a cat looks for in a new environment is a place to go. Small kittens may need a tiny box to access it. While older cats will find it on their own, kittens should probably be dropped directly into the box. Soon, they will be digging with gusto. Unfortunately, this means they will send some litter flying and create a mess around the box. You can make clean-up easier by placing a disposable pet pad under the box. Cats like to do their business in private, so you'll want to replace the tiny starter box with a larger covered box to contain the mess. Use liners that will contain the litter and let you toss a closed bag to empty it. You may be tempted to invest in a self-cleaning box, but many cats are frightened by the noise it makes.
  
  
• Water Source
  Cats are very particular about their water. They like it cold and moving, so don't be shocked if they climb into the toilet to drink when they have a perfectly clean bowl of water next to their food. That's another problem. They don't like their food and water to be served next to each other. No one knows why, but most cats will ignore water placed too close to their food. Their preferred source is a fountain, but once again, noise may upset them. Look for a fountain that runs quietly and place it several feet away from food.
  
  
• Cat Tree
  Sharpening claws and climbing trees are in your cat's nature. You can give them what they need while preserving your furniture by providing a cat tree. If you opt for a taller unit, be sure that it is secure and cannot tip over. Once it does, the cat will never climb it again. You can find small trees for single kittens or go for broke with a ceiling-high model sporting multiple shelves and hiding places. Prices range from very inexpensive to fairly costly, so you may want to start small to see if your cat enjoys using it before making a big investment. If your cat persists in trying to claw furniture even though you provided a tree, you can buy glue-on claw guards at your local pet store to avoid painful and crippling de-clawing.
  
  
• Bedding
  The pictures in the ads show Kitty snuggling in a bed made just for her, but that is not at all realistic. Most will sleep on the floor right next to it. But cats universally love boxes! That includes the lions and tigers at your local zoo. In the wild, cats hunker down in closely fitting spaces to hide and feel safe. They bring those instincts when they move in. They are generally happy with an old cardboard box, but you may not find that particularly attractive. They don't often care for plastic boxes due to the chemical smell, so wood is a good option. You can paint it to make it match your decor, but avoid chemicals.

• Toys
  Cats love to play. Their favorite toys are catnip mice, balls with bells inside, strings, and feathers.

If you're looking into Nassau County homes for sale or Suffolk County homes for sale, contact us. We'll help you find the perfect house for both you and your cat!