What really matters is whether it’s compatible with your lifestyle. When you visit a shelter for adopting a cat, there are a few questions you need to ask. The answers you get from the shelter staff will give you a good idea about the cat you’ve chosen. You’ll be able to understand whether it is a good fit for your family. Now, let’s take a look at some of these questions:

1. What’s your impression of the cat?

When you ask the shelter volunteer this question, he or she would give you some valuable insights. Since, the individual has spent some quality time with the cat, he or she would know it well. So, the volunteer would tell you more about the cat’s personality.

Even after getting all the details, you might find it tough to understand the cat’s true temperament. After all, meeting new people can be stressful for most of the cats. It’s highly possible that the cat won’t reveal its true self instantly. Once it settles into your home, you’ll definitely get to know it better.

2. How good is the cat in getting along with other animals?

You’ll not miss asking this question if you have other pets at home. It’s important to make sure you’re adopting a cat that gets along with other animals. This is because they play an important role in the well-being of your new feline friend. Some shelters might have behavior tests in place to see whether the cat is reactive to other animals.

They might also help you arrange a meet-and-greet between other pets of your house and the cat. You can also request for a trial period, which allows you to test the cat. This is done by taking it home and understanding whether it’s a good fit for your household. Once you’re convinced that it’s a good fit, you can formally adopt the cat.

3. Is the cat healthy?

Inquiring about the health history of the cat of your choice is essential. There are times when cats arrive in shelters with certain health issues. They include malnutrition, mange, or parasites. The process of recovery from these conditions can be lengthy. It might also require you to continue the ongoing medication.

In this case, you must prepare yourself to take responsibility for its treatment and cover the expenses. If the cat is suffering from any illness, you must do some research before making a commitment. The research must be on the methods of treatment and the costs involved.

4. Do you know about the cat’s background?

This question can give you answers about where the cat has come from. The volunteers don’t often have much information about the background of their pets. In certain cases, they will have all the information. Their answers can help you take some extra care, if needed, during your cat’s transition. For example, if the cat has grown up on the streets, its transition may not be that smooth.

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1. Dogs love being praised while cats don’t really care about it

Many believe that a cat can be trained by choosing the correct methods. Usually, this would mean giving a delicious treat to the cat which it doesn’t get to enjoy often. You can easily train a cat to follow your orders if you figure out what it wants as a reward. Of course, there’s a belief that dogs are easier to train. Human beings have been training dogs for centuries.

So, their response to humans during training comes naturally. Dogs just need a gentle pat on their heads along with words of praise. This is how it has been in their evolutionary history with humans. Dogs also have the habit of responding to food faster, which makes training them even more easy.

2. Dogs can be vegetarians, but cats are strict carnivores

Cats need a diet that includes meat or fish to get their doses of protein. Their essential amino acids come mainly from animal sources. On the other hand, dogs can be omnivores. They don’t mind having a vegetarian diet once in a while. Cats cannot produce certain amino acids that are essential for their health.

So, they must obtain them through the food that they eat. A few of these essential amino acids are only present in meat proteins. The two most essential ones are arginine and taurine. For a cat’s healthy eyes and skin, taurine is extremely necessary. It is also of great importance with regards to the cat’s heart health.

Arginine is required for the production of ornithine. It is a different amino acid that makes ammonia non-toxic for the body. Without arginine, it won’t be possible to neutralize ammonia build-up, which would be toxic to the cat.

3. Dogs love socializing while cat’s like their space

Humans began domesticating dogs centuries ago to use them for a variety of services. They involved hunting, guarding, and herding. As a result, dogs and humans have evolved together over the centuries and developed a good relationship. The humans haven’t been able to develop such a strong relationship with domesticated cats.

Dogs respond instantly to verbal signals and commands. In this process, dogs have become dependent on their human masters for direction. Cats generally hunt rodents, but this is not done on command. They may, however, proudly bring their prey to you.

Cats like to be more independent and creative. While this might come across as a bit snobbish, the truth is that cats love to have their space.

4. Dogs can handle medication much more easily than cats

There’s a scientific reason behind this fact. Cats have a very low quantity of glucuronyl transferase, which is a liver enzyme. It is required to break down pain medications such as Tylenol. It stays in the cat’s body and becomes toxic if the cat can’t break the drug down. A dog can handle low doses of Tylenol. When it comes to cats, even a tiny dose of this medication can kill them.

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During this entire process, you can have some time to get your home ready for your cat. Here are a few things that you can do before welcoming your feline friend into the household:

1. Make a list of shelters

You might be already having some details of your local adoption agencies or shelters. However, if you don’t have these details, you can make a list of shelters located close to your home. Look for the reputed organizations that are registered non-profits.

Go to their website and do a little bit of research yourself. This would give you an idea how they treat animals. You can also benefit from a few websites that help you find shelters or rescue organizations in your neighborhood.

2. Have an open mind

Before you take a look at your potential feline friend, talk to your family members. Even if you’re living with roommates, talk to them about your decision. If you’re planning to take care of the cat yourself, you certainly wouldn’t want an objection from anyone. Be clear about the tasks that everyone must perform such as feeding, clean-up, and playtime activities.

This would help in preventing any conflicts later on. Once you’ve done these things, it’s time to see all those adorable faces of cats at the shelter. One important thing to remember is to know whether the cat breed is right for your lifestyle. Kittens that are quite active need a lot of engagement from their owners. On the other hand, matured cats would need a more quiet environment.

3. Get the space ready for your cat

The space you’ve decided for your cat must be kept clean and ready before its arrival. You’d certainly want your feline friend to be happy and safe in its space. Keep all those exposed wires, unsecured furniture, and poisonous plants away. Include a scratching post for the cat.

If possible, you must also have a cat tree to give your furry friend something exciting for its playtime. In this way, you can also prevent it from being on top of a cabinet in your house. To keep your feline friend occupied, you can also include some cat toys.

4. Have the right feeding setup

Cats have highly sensitive whiskers. It’s important, therefore, to have shallow and wide feeding bowls. Arrange a high-quality diet with meat as the main ingredient. The felines are carnivores. So, they need high amounts of animal protein, limited amount of carbohydrates, and moderate amount of fats.

Of course, dry foods offer more convenience, but you’ll need wet food to fulfill your cat’s water requirements. It has been observed that cats often play more and drink less when you give it only water. A mix of different formats and flavors in protein would give them more variety in food.

5. Set up a spare room

A cat needs some time to get used to their new environment. You can help in making them comfortable in the new settings. This might involve giving them a dedicated space to relax. Set up a spare room or the corner of your bathroom with all their essential items. Then, you can allow them to come to you. Although cats may take some time to warm up, many of them get curious after a few days.

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Although they’re low-maintenance pets, they still need your love, care, and attention. You’ll have to know what and when to feed them and how to train them. If you’re first-time owner, you’ll certainly look for a cat that makes your life easier. Here are a few options in low-maintenance breeds for new cat owners:

1. Siamese Cats

They are cats with a great personality. Siamese cats are not only loyal but also very curious and social. A Siamese cat can be fun to have around you and it’s very intelligent. As these cats don’t have long hair, they don’t require a lot of combing or grooming. This makes Siamese cat one of the best low-maintenance cat breeds.

2. Maine Coon

Over the years, Main Coon cats have built a reputation for being friendly and playful pets. Sometimes, they might exhibit dog-like tendencies, such as walking on a leash. So, this cat breed can be a great option to consider if you’ve been a dog owner until now. Main Coon cats are easy to train and are highly adaptable. Besides, these cats are smart and would love your attention just like dogs.

3. Somali

Somalis have an abundance of energy, which means that these cats are super active and playful. Although they prefer to be with their owners, Somalis are quite capable of entertaining themselves. They’re pets that love to socialize and are comfortable being around other animals and people. So, if you have other pets or a big family, you’ll not have any trouble with these cats.

4. Ragdolls

If you’re seeking a feline friend that’s cuddly and fun to play with, bring a Ragdoll. These cats are of a good nature and can get along with anyone. They’re also easy to clean and groom. Ragdolls are also very adaptable, relaxed, and love to snuggle.

5. Sphynx

Many individuals avoid cats because they don’t like to deal with their hair. If you’re one of them, Sphynx would be a fantastic choice. These hairless cats are quite unique with regards to looks. Besides, you don’t need to worry about getting them groomed. They’re also very loving, laid-back, and relaxed.

6. American Shorthair

You’ll not have any difficulty in finding this cat breed if you’re in the United States. These cats are easy to adopt, making it a great choice for the first-time cat owners. They’re also known for their pleasant, loving, and relaxed personality. You’ll need to give it your attention, but they don’t need it constantly. This is because these cats can entertain themselves well.

7. Burmese

These cats are well-known for possessing dog-like qualities. Burmese cats are extremely devoted to their owners, and are intelligent, and curious. They love to be around people, but they’ll often be by your side. If you admire the loyalty of dogs, these cats are no less. This is why many owners of Burmese cats develop strong bonds with them.

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