Common Mistakes New Cat Owners Make

The most common mistake of new cat owners is not reading up on cats and learning their behavior patterns - before they decide to get a cat.

This lack of information and knowledge can lead to misconceptions before the cat even sets paws into their home. For example, for the trip home the cat should be put into a carrier. Cats usually do not like cars and chances are that they won't sit quietly on your lap for the trip. They can endanger themselves as well as the driver by darting about frightened. In addition, a cat's first experience with it's new owners should not include having to be pulled out from under the car seats.

The litter box and cat food areas need to be set up before the cat arrives in the home, not after. Ideally both locations should be shown to the new cat as it enters the new home. Some people also don't buy the proper food, they think if they already have a pet that the cat can just eat whatever the other pet eats. Cats need a quality cat food for the proper nutrition, it is never okay for them to live on other foods, such as dog or ferret food.

A lot of people also make the mistake of not allowing the cat to settle in. They think something is wrong with the animal if it darts under a piece of furniture and hides. The worst they can do is stick their arm under the sofa or bed and try to pull the cat out. They fail to see the nature of the cat. It needs time to get used to new surroundings. This is especially true if other animals or children are in the house.