Cat Care Essentials

Food: For a few weeks, keep your cat on the same food he or she has been receiving at the Adoption Center. Whenever possible, we will provide you with a bag of food when you take your new cat home. Abrupt food changes often cause diarrhea and additional stress, so introduce a new food brand by integrating it with the food your cat has been eating at P.O.A. slowly over the course of 7 - 10 days.

Click here to learn about foods to avoid for your cat.

Litter box: Make sure you have a litter pan for each individual cat and clean it daily. It is very important to completely empty the pans regularly. Also make sure the litter pan is easily accessible to your cat and keep the litter pan in the same place all the time. With small kittens, it is a good idea to have litter pans on each level of your home. Whenever possible, use unscented litter. Many “scents” cause respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose. The scent also rests on their coat, which may result in lack of grooming.

Scratching post: Scratching is a necessary and innate behavior for cats and kittens. And it's a normal habit of a healthy cat. Cats exercise the foot muscles to remove dead tissue from nails and scratching also has a soothing, comforting effect. It's a good idea to get multiple types of scratching surfaces for your cat because each cat has preferences. Cardboard and sisal mats work well. Your Placement Team can advise you of other helpful tips for proper scratching behavior.

Toys: Kittens and playful cats need toys for entertainment (theirs and yours) as well as exercise. Make sure the toys you give your kitten are appropriate for the kitten’s size and age. String toys can be dangerous and should be avoided for cats and kittens.