You’ll definitely want to know these awesome cat facts before you bring your new furry family member home!

Cat fact 1: Cats hate deep bowls. Here’s why...

Cats’ whiskers are super sensitive - so they don’t like to put their heads in deep bowls that bend their whiskers!

Make sure food bowls are small and shallow for a kitten, slightly larger and deeper for an adult cat and kept super clean.

Cat fact 2: Cats prefer their water away from their food

That’s why you often see cats drinking from swimming pools, the dog’s bowl or the bathroom sink!

Your cat will always need access to at least one bowl of fresh clean water, but it’s best to have at least two in different spots around the house.

Cat fact 3:  Most litter trays are way too small!

The litter tray should be 1.5 x the size of your cat. And if they don’t like their new loo, they might not use it!

Start with the same type of litter the rescue organisation used, so your cat knows it’s the toilet! Never use scented litter or scented litter liners - the smell is too strong for a cat’s super-sensitive nose.

Cat fact 4: 99.9% of cats sleep on their owners’ beds

Actually, we made that stat up. But your cat WILL find their favourite sleeping spot, and it might not be the bed you bought!

Cats sleep a lot (16+ hours a day). The perfect spot is usually up off the floor, so pop the bed or soft blanket on the couch and watch the zzz’s happen.

Cat fact 5: Playing with your cat is therapy

Playing with your cat helps your cat bond with you. In fact, ‘play therapy’ is used to help unsocialised cats become loving pets. So you have a very legitimate excuse to go toy shopping!

Stock up on toys to play with when you aren’t there, and toys to play with together. Enrichment toys like treat balls and puzzles are great to keep your cat active and stimulated (especially indoor cats), and interactive toys like fishing poles and laser pointers are a fantastic way to get your cat moving and have fun together.

Cat fact 6: Don’t be fooled if your new cat meows like crazy at your windows and doors! Here’s what’s really going on...

Rather than a desperate need to get out, it’s a sign they aren’t fully settled in their new home just yet. Cats are territorial, so coming into a new environment can be stressful.

When you bring your cat home, place them in a small room or enclosed area (somewhere quiet), rather than giving access to your entire home.

Set up the room with your cat’s bed, bowls, litter tray, and a hidey-hole (such as a box or tunnel). Cats need a safe place to hide, especially when they are in a new place.

Most cats prefer a hiding spot with an escape route, so the best kind of box is one with an entrance and exit. Then slowly introduce them to the rest of your home.

Cat fact 7: Cats are super clean, but fresh isn’t always best when it comes to bedding

Cats are incredibly olfactory (smell and scent driven), so bringing home one of your cat’s old towels or blankets from the rescue group can really help your cat settle more quickly.

And you don’t need to change a cat’s bedding too often (unless it’s soiled). Too many new smells can be stressful for a cat!

Your cat’s home - what next?

Get your essentials in order, so you can get on with all the fun stuff!

Certificates and records

Make sure you have your cat’s vaccination certificate, desexing certificate, adoption records and vet records from your rescue organisation - you’ll need them!

Locate your closest emergency vet clinic

As well as your regular vet, it’s important to know where your closest emergency vet clinic is, just in case your cat gets up to any out-of-hours mischief. Save yourself some stress and put the details in your phone now, so you are prepared in case the unexpected happens.

Keep your cat indoors for at least four weeks

Cats are most likely to go missing when they have moved to unfamiliar territory. It’s vital to keep your cat indoors for at least fours weeks to help them adjust to and recognise your home as their new territory, and only when they are showing no signs of stress should you introduce them to the outdoors.

Remember, if your new cat is meowing at the doors and windows - don’t let them out! Rather than a desperate need to go outside, this is a sign that they haven’t yet settled into their new territory.

Change your cat’s microchip details

Once you have officially adopted your new kitty, you will need to ensure that the microchip details are moved to your name. The rescue group will have the relevant paperwork, including the name of the microchip registry, so be sure to get in contact with them if you have not yet received these details.

Register your cat with your local council

In most areas, it’s a legal requirement to register your cat with the council. Call your council and find out how. Councils give discounts for desexed and vaccinated pets, so as well as being the ethical choice, adopting a rescue pet is a money saver!

Have fun!

Remember the most important thing of all - cats are awesome - so enjoy your new family member! Plenty of cuddles, snuggles and ear scratches are sure to make you the favourite human in the household.

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