Preparing your home for your new family member?

Get a good cat carrier, litter box, bowls for food and water and assemble some cat furniture before bringing your cat home. Make sure to put the litter box in a quiet area such as a guest bathroom, where the cat can do its business in private.

When bringing the cat home, put the carrier in a room, open the door of the cat carrier, and close the door of the room, leaving the cat to explore the room on its own terms; cats enjoy roaming around. Some love having access to the outdoors but if kept indoors, make sure they have some good space.

Indoor cats tend to be more at risk of gaining more wait due to lower activity levels, so it would be ideal to watch their food intake carefully. Outdoor cats are at higher risk of injury and disease, so please be cautious when letting them roam in areas where they may encounter heavy vehicle traffic, pesticides or chemicals.

Provide entertainment as cats need stimulation. Here are a few ways to prevent boredom and from scratching up the furniture. Buy a high cat furniture where the cat can jump up to survey its territory. Give the cat toys and feline games, such as toy mice, lasers pointers, and catnip. Encourage with treats rewards.

A second cat will usually make the first one less lonely, especially if they are litter mates. It is important that the cats are neutered or spayed, unless you have a breeding programme in mind.