4 Things We Wish We Knew As A First Time Kitty Parent
If you’re anything like us, you know that becoming a new pet parent has similar learning curves to becoming a new human parent. At first the snuggles and cuteness are too much to bear and nothing else matters. Then comes learning their quirks, habits and overall personality- which is another story. While the internet is full of advice (yet also pre-maturely convinces you your kitty has ear mites), we compiled a list of things we wish we knew when we became first time kitty parents.
Be Patient
Felines are amazing animals, but they certainly have unique personality traits! For example, sometimes they decide that they don’t like their food anymore and literally won’t eat until you change it. Other times, they eat every single leaf off of the plant you have been growing for years, and then puke it up on your carpet. Or they look you in the eye and push a porcelain antique off of a 4 ft. cliff. If you think you are smart, your kitty is smarter. It will take time for you to get to know your kitty’s abilities (and jump height) and weak spots, but with a little reorganization and some time, your place will be purr-fectly kitty-proofed.
Find a GREAT Vet
Finding a great veterinarian makes a huge difference to a new pet parent! Ask friends & family or neighborhood groups like Nextdoor for recommendations. Finding a great vet clinic from the start is important because the more they get to know your feline friend, the better recommendations they can make for its health as it gets older.
Play With Your Kitty
This may seem obvious, but dedicated kitty-human playtime has a ton of positive effects on your new friend. Take 10 minutes to play with your kitty a few times each day to help keep them active (ie away from mischief), enhance your bonding and keep their anxiety & stress levels down. Trust us, a happy kitty = a happy life!
Litter Box Care
Did you know that you are supposed to scoop your kitty’s litter every day?! Your kitty’s litter box is a breeding ground for bacteria and odor buildup that could be harmful to their health! Kitty Sift® was invented to create a cleaner, healthier & more convenient alternative to plastic litter boxes and scoops. Start yourself AND your kitty on healthy litter habits from the beginning to keep the vet visits down and your kitty happy! Pro Tip: Check out Kitty Sift’s subscribe & save program and never have to worry about running out of your kitty’s litter products again!