I’m an animal lover down to the core. A rescuer of small furry beings and more recently mother hen to my own happy flock. I’ve always had a dog, or dogs but cats have been the one animal that never seemed to get me. Or maybe I just didn’t get them.

My middle child has always wanted a cat, she asks monthly and my hubby and I have been vaguely promising “someday soon”. You see with two dogs already, one who is completely blind and one who decides daily whether or not he is a hunter of small furry things or not, getting a cat is a terrifying thought. Yes, it sure would help with the scurrying sounds at night ( farmlife people, there are mice!), but there are so many other things to consider before we commit to welcoming a feline to our mainly feathered family.

She has campaigned strongly, pointing out the pros and ultimate benefits of adding a cat to our (her) life. Cats are quiet, they don’t bark at people, they keep themselves clean and tidy and will chase away the mice. They are soft and purr and will sleep on her bed. They don’t need to be taken for a walk and don’t eat very much. So when the hubs and I read this we had a few thought of our own. They don’t bark at people, so are essentially freeloading watchdogs. They keep themselves clean? Really eh, so who trains the cat to clean the litterbox? They chase mice. Well, that will remain to be seen. My sister’s cat liked to snuggle the family hamster so….

Would the cat be an indoor or outdoor cat? Outdoor means eagles, coyotes and trying to get it in at night.

Indoor means a …. LITTERBOX.

My husband is adamant he does not want to smell that! Luckily there are many options, one being Arm and Hammer’s new Clump and Seal lightweight litter so he wont smell a thing! And I wont break my back carrying it from store to car to house.

Wether or not we welcome a new feline friend to our home, we are loving the tips from Arm and Hammer on what to remember with any cat adoption, and the best way to make them feel welcome!

• Let them hide: Cats love to sneak away to a favourite spot, especially when they are still weary of their new surroundings. Creating areas for your new cat to hide out by moving your couch out from the wall a few inches or pulling your bed covers down until they hit the floor is ideal so your cat can enjoy some alone time.
• Stock the pantry:Pick up a few necessary items prior to introducing your cat to his or her new home, but don’t go overboard as you’ll want to learn your cat’s personality and preferences. It’s important to have wet and dry food options, along with separate food and water bowls, to set up an eating station.
• Privacy, please:Everyone in the family deserves a little privacy and your cat is no different! Make sure you place the litter box in a quiet spot and away from your cat’s eating station. A litter box lined with 3-4 inches of Arm & Hammer ™ Clump & Seal ™ litter is a must have for a 7-day odour-free home—guaranteed.
• Lighten the load:Your groceries are heavy enough to load out of the car, now Arm & Hammer ™ Clump & Seal™ LightWeight litter contains the same amount of uses as our regular clumping litter, at half the weight, so you won’t need to worry about lugging heavy litter around with you.
• Prepare for playtime:Having different types of toys on hand is a great way to engage with your cat and determine his or her play habits. A scratching post is also essential—cats need to wear down their nails, so be sure to have this in place or your furniture will see the result.
• Spend some quality time together:In the beginning, visit with your cat frequently but for short periods of time. Visiting can mean interacting directly with your new cat in the form of play or petting, or quietly reading a book or chatting on the telephone in the same space as your new companion.

Don’t forget to check out your local animal shelters if you are looking to adopt a cat friend into your family.  Spring time their cages are filled with feral kitties and drop offs, and adopted kitties usually make the best pets.