What’s the smartest way to adopt a cat?
April 17, 2011 by
Filed under Questions
I have 2 cats. I want one more cat, but I don’t want my other cats to get diseases from the new cat. I plan to go to the SPCA, pick the friendliest cat, and immediately take the cat to a vet to test for leukemia. If the cat is healthy, I will still isolate the cat in a bathroom for one week before introducing it to the other cats. What should I do differently?
you should introduce your other cats to it while it’s in the carrier so that you know they won’t have too many problems with each other.
Well when you go to the ASPCA i suggest you ask them the cat came to be there, then you should play with to make sure it friendly, give it attention but be gentle and dont overwhelm it, your new kitty will be a beloved family member in no time, also the first week you get it put it in its litter box every few hours and make sure to establish that is its potty place.
hope i helped
Going to a cat shelter to adopt a cat so it possibly won’t get killed because there is no more room. save kitties don’t go out and buy a kitten if you can get a sweet kitty from the cat shelter that needs a home and love. You should open the door a crack and let the kitties sniff each other and if after your cats get in a cat fight you should have a spray bottle filled with water to make them stop.
I hope I helped!
Adopt a cat that’s from a certified animal hospital or from a friend that you know is sure they are free of sicknesses and is 2 weeks or older.=]
Your SPCA should surely have tested the cat for feleuk and FIV already. There is a 30 day window in which the cat could develop it if he got tested the day he was exposed to it, so depending on how careful you want to be, you could choose a cat that’s been at the shelter for a month or more that was tested 30 days ago. Personally, I would be content with the week that you’re describing if they already tested him.
Make sure your cats are current on their distemper vaccinations before bringing the new cat home.
Putting the cat in the bathroom for the first week is very smart, because it will allow the cat to get used to the sounds and smells of its new home without being overwhelmed. I would also advise letting the new cat out for just short periods of time at first, making the sessions gradually longer until he’s out all the time.
It’s not a necessity at all, but Feliway plug-in diffusers can make the transition a little smoother by keeping the cats calmer. Here’s a link if you’re interested:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8906
Good luck with the new cat!
Any one that already has 2 cats, should have an idea as to how to care for them. If you adopt a 3RD from such a reputable society, you don’t have to worry about taking home a sick animal. SPCA have their own vets who check out all soon to be adopted cats, way B4 they are viewed by kind people like you, who want to give them a loving home. Actually, you should keep this “newcomer” in a bathroom, 4 about 4 days, just so he can hear and smell his surroundings, including the other 2 cats. make sure you carry this newest family member when he first SEES the other two, and take control of the situation, so things don’t get into a hissy fight etc. If you want to spend the additional expense by going to another vet, it’s up to you. Personally, since it will have had it’s shots, etc. at the SPCA, I see no reason to go dashing off to another vet, when they’re vets where you are adopting the cat from. Pick a good one! Give the new cat something from the two (bedding, unwashed) which he’ll get used too, making their introduction easier.