Archives for New Adopter Packet

Your new cat & the litter box

Your new cat & the litter box

February 16, 2018 | Comments Off on Your new cat & the litter box

Most cats have a specific preference about where they want to eliminate. By following the suggestions outlined here, you’ll be able to start off on the right foot with your new cat. Location The most important aspects of location are the need for it to be quiet, easily accessible, and not near the feeding and water stations or any comfort items. Most people are inclined to place the litter box in an out-of-the-way spot in order to minimize odor and loose particles of cat litter in the house. Often, the litter box ends up in the basement, sometimes next to
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Managing scratching

Managing scratching

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Managing scratching

By nature, cats have a need to scratch objects in their environment. We know that cats leave their scent behind when they scratch things and that this is a means of letting the world know that they’re there… whether it is to warn another cat away or to invite them to play. They tend to go back to the same spots and scratch those spots repeatedly for this reason; it’s another way for them to mark their territory. Even cats who have been declawed will try to scratch things for this very reason! Scratching also happens in play, as a
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Kitten-proofing your home

Kitten-proofing your home

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Kitten-proofing your home

When bringing a kitten home, there are a few easy steps that you can follow to keep your little bundle of fluff safe in their new environment. It’s best to take a look around before you bring your kitten home. The real secret to kitten-proofing is to look at your home through the eyes of a cat. Find everything that looks like a fun toy, and if it’s something harmful, get rid of it or make it safe. Having her home prepared for her arrival will make the transition much easier for all of you! Look around your house first,
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Cat Toys For Fun and Enrichment

Cat Toys For Fun and Enrichment

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Cat Toys For Fun and Enrichment

Cats, like people and dogs, benefit from keeping fit and active, both mentally and physically. Exercise is essential for your cat’s mental and physical health because it relieves stress and boredom, improves circulation, builds muscle tone and can prevent or reduce behavioral problems. So, we need to get our cats up and moving, and there’s no better way to coax out their natural instincts to stalk and chase prey than by engaging them with toys. Types of Toys for Fun and Games Wand Toys A wand toy can be as simple as a stick with a thin piece of fabric
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Cat to Cat introductions

Cat to Cat introductions

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Cat to Cat introductions

If you’re bringing a new cat into your home, be patient. The introduction must be gradual. Following the initial introduction, it can take some time for a relationship to grow. It can take months or even years for some cats to develop bonds with other cats. Although some cats certainly become close friends, others never do. Many cats who don’t become buddies learn to live peacefully with one another, while others become fast friends. Sadly, it’s difficult to predict whether or not any two individual cats will get along. There are no reliable guides for deciding the best matches among
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Bringing your new cat home

Bringing your new cat home

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Bringing your new cat home

Congratulations on finding your new best friend! Here are some tips to help guide you through the first few days after bringing your new cat home! It’s important to remember that your new cat could be frightened and confused, even if they were happy and outgoing when you met them at the shelter. Cats like routine and to have control over their environment, so it may take them a few days to feel the safety and comfort that they felt in the den they had created for themselves at the shelter. For these reasons, we suggest that you set up
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(Re) Housetraining your adult dog

(Re) Housetraining your adult dog

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on (Re) Housetraining your adult dog

Remember that you and your new dog need some time to learn each other’s signals and routines. Even if he was housetrained in his previous home, if you don’t recognize his “bathroom” signal you might miss his request to go out, causing him to eliminate indoors. Therefore, for the first few weeks after you bring your new dog home, you should assume your new dog isn’t housetrained and start from scratch. Establish a Routine Take your dog out at the same times every day. For example, first thing in the morning when he wakes up, when you arrive home from
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Puppy Socialization

Puppy Socialization

February 15, 2018 | Comments Off on Puppy Socialization

In bringing home a puppy, you are also opening up a new world to that puppy. Getting it socialized with a wide variety of people, places, sounds and things will be huge in their development. It will help the puppy to be confident and unafraid as it approaches new and strange things throughout their life. The most critical socialization window occurs before the age of 12 weeks, and that window is considered to be closing by 5 months. The puppy will gain confidence quicker and easier if it is socialized during this time frame. Keep in mind that socializing your
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