The first week of cat ownership for novices: starter checklist and mistakes to avoid
What should I prepare before taking my cat home? How to set up the cat's litter box, what to feed in the first week, and what not to do - a list that can be followed directly.
Before you take your cat home, prepare a "safe area": a small, quiet room, a litter box, a food and water basin, a scratching post, and a cardboard box to hide in. Don’t open the house up as soon as you enter, it takes 3–7 days for the cat to adjust.
The number of cat litter boxes should be configured according to "number of cats + 1" and placed in a corner away from the food bowls, not next to a washing machine or a door that opens and closes frequently. On the first day, do not force the cat to hold him or watch him frequently. Let him come out and explore on his own.
Feed the original food in the first week, do not change food and environment at the same time. Use the 7-day transition method to replace food: 3/4 → 1/2 → 1/4 → new food. If soft stool occurs, return to the previous ratio first.
Must-dos: Make an appointment for a physical exam, confirm deworming and vaccination records, seal windows (screens must be able to bear weight), put away cables and poisonous plants (lilies, pothos, dieffenbachia).
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