Cat owner checklist

Considering getting a cat? Congratulations! You have an exciting journey ahead of you but it’s important not to get carried away with the fun stuff.

Before you bring your feline friend home for the first time, there are a few things you need to do to help ensure you give your new cat the best possible start to their new life.

What to do before collecting your cat

Consider getting your cat microchipped

While it’s not a legal requirement yet to get your cat microchipped, it is the easiest and safest way to identify a lost cat which will help increase the likelihood of a happy reunion if they go missing.

Register with a vet

Just like you’re registered with your GP, you will need to find a veterinary practice for your cat to receive the care they need. Doing this before your feline friend comes home will help give you peace of mind if they were to get hurt or become ill soon after you get them.

You can find a local vet online or pop in before you get your new cat as your vet can advise you on what you might need when you bring them home.

Book vaccination appointments

Cat vaccinations can help to protect your feline friend from severe infectious diseases while stopping them from passing anything nasty on to other pets in the area.

By vaccinating your cat, you can help them avoid contracting life-threatening illnesses like:

• Cat flu
• Feline infectious enteritis
• Feline chlamydophilosis
• Feline leukaemia virus.

Think about pet insurance

Here at Animal Friends, protecting animals is in our DNA, and we know how expensive vet fees can be, especially if you don’t have pet insurance in place. In 2020 the average claim was £817 and while this might vary from practice to practice and geographically, insuring your cat can help with any unexpected vet bills.

If you’re unsure if cat insurance is for you, think about what you would do in the event of an unexpected bill.

Cat-proof your home and garden

Whether you’re welcoming a curious kitten or an older cat, you’ll want to make sure you check your house and garden for any potential hazards so that they can safely explore their new home when they arrive.

Look out for: small gaps, electrical wires, fireplaces and any fragile items but remember cats are small, agile and curious, meaning they will investigate all areas of the house, high and low.

Buy what you need

Once you’ve decided on getting a cat, you can prepare for their arrival by buying some essentials to ensure your new addition is comfortable when they arrive.

You’ll want to think about what your cat will eat, which toys they’ll want to play with and where they will sleep.

Here are some things that your list could include:

• A bed
• Bowls for food and water
• Age-appropriate food
• Litter trays
• Cat litter
• Toys
• Scratching post
• Grooming equipment
• Carrier for transport

Buying your first cat? We’ve got you covered.

Get a quote with us today to see what policies will suit your cat and your budget.