Bringing home your newly-adopted rescue cat can be a wonderful experience for you and your family, but what can you do to make sure your new friend settles in well? Adopter Leanne tells us how she helped her rescue cat feel at home:
I often find myself getting home around 5pm, before sinking myself into the couch and giving my cats a cuddle. I find this to be a simple yet cathartic ritual, where I decompress from the stresses of the day, forget the water cooler conversations and looming work deadlines, and just enjoy the moment with my cats. My newest rescue cat, Teddi, will often jump into my lap and stare at me intensely whilst I give his belly a good scratch.
However, not too long ago Teddi was one of more than 1000 animals in the care of RSPCA South Australia, just waiting for the day when someone special would take him home. Well, that special person was Leanne, and it's been quite the journey since this blue-eyed boy was welcomed into the warmth and comfort of Leanne's home a mere three months ago.
This passionate cat-lover worked tirelessly to ensure Teddi felt loved and comfortable in his new home, and she formed a very special bond with him along the way. Every rescue cat deserves to feel happy in their new environment, which is why Leanne has compiled her top four tips on how you too can make your rescue cat feel comfortable at home.
How well do you know your cat's personality?
First of all, who really is your cat? Do you know much about their likes and dislikes? Like us humans, every cat is unique and has its own personality traits – discovering what these are can take some time and patience, and can often be a learning curve for all parties involved. When you find something that your kitten or cat likes and enjoys doing, then it's just a matter of incorporating those things into their everyday activities.
We are still on the road to discovery with Teddi, and every day he surprises us with his little quirks and personality traits: ranging from what food and treats he loves, to his favourite toys and activities. Teddi has even developed some strange sleeping habits, like sleeping on top of his igloo bed instead of inside it! When it comes to relaxing outside in his enclosure, Teddi is quite content just lying in a garden bed, soaking up the sun rays. He is completely different from our other two cats, but that's what we love about him.
You don't need to spend big dollars on toys.
Keeping your cat happy and entertained at home doesn't always need to involve expensive cat toys. Something as simple and inexpensive as scrunched-up paper balls, pipe cleaners or cardboard boxes can provide endless hours of fun.
As you can see below, Teddi is a cardboard box connoisseur - he spends hours inside them, chewing on the lids and spying on the other cats.
It's also really important that you involve yourself and your family members in their playtime activities, to help strengthen your new bond. Dedicating time to fun activities and encouraging my family to play with Teddi made a mountainous difference to our bonding experience.
Creating safe spaces
Creating safe spaces within your home will also help keep your cat happy. Cats need their time-out too, so creating a safe space for them to relax and enjoy some 'me-time' can be beneficial to their health and wellbeing. We all know cats love to reach high places, so creating areas where they can venture upwards is a great idea – this will give your cat the opportunity to have a break when needed.
Teddi is fortunate enough to have a secure outside enclosure to play in with his brothers. We recently added more enrichment obstacles for their enjoyment, including a pole with rope entwined around it. This addition was such a simple idea, but it has now provided endless hours of exercise, fun, and height for all three of our cats.
Having a secure outdoor cat run also protects surrounding wildlife. True to his natural feline instincts, Teddi likes to stalk the birds that land in our garden, but it's reassuring to know that his enclosure will prevent him from ever being able to catch them.
Regular health checks.
Another important aspect in keeping your feline friend happy is to visit the vet for regular health checks. Unlike humans, cats cannot always tell us or show us when they are feeling unwell, and that is why it's important to keep on top of vet visits. With our three cats, I always pop a reminder in my calendar when they are due for a vet visit – this way I can keep Teddi and his two brothers on track for a happy and healthy life with us.
I hope these insights from my own personal experience of being 'owned' by three cats can help you and your feline friend have the best possible relationship. The most important thing to remember is, don't forget to have some fun along the way because that is good for everyone.
If you're considering opening your heart and home to a rescue animal, please visit our adoption page to see our available animals.
