Caring for a large number of cats may require you to spread your resources thin. Cats of different social groups will need different areas to eliminate and eat. This means you will need to cover a lot of ground. Here are a few things you should know when caring for many cats at once.
Fostering
If you are able to foster a lot of cats at once, you’ll have an easier time finding homes for them and making a positive difference in their lives. Cats in shelters often show signs of stress because they have never been in a home or had much contact with people. Additionally, many shelters are overcrowded and are looking for foster homes for their adoptable cats. By fostering cats, you’ll not only free up space for another cat in need, but you’ll also learn more about the cats you’re fostering. You’ll also have a chance to socialize the cats you foster with different types of people, a process that will help them to adjust better to their new home.
While fostering is a lot of work, it’s an extremely rewarding experience. Cats in foster homes typically come from strays or abandoned homes and need help finding homes. These cats are often unspayed and need to scavenge for food and shelter. They are often left to wander the streets, and many times they are found in dumpsters, vacant lots, and gutters.
Providing ample litter boxes, scratching posts, and napping options
Cats like to stretch and mark their territory, so make sure you have plenty of scratching posts for multiple areas of the home, including in common areas. Make sure your cats have access to different materials on scratching posts and use cat repellent to protect your furniture.
If you have a large household with several cats, you should provide several different types of scratching posts. You should also provide several horizontal scratch pads placed throughout the home. Cats often scratch during playtime, after naps, and after using the litter box. They will also scratch when the doorbell rings or when they are anticipating dinner.
Protecting food and cats from the elements
When caring for many cats, one of the biggest concerns is the weather. While cats can tolerate freezing temperatures, subzero temperatures can cause serious health problems, including frostbite and hypothermia. In extreme cases, the temperatures can even lead to death. Luckily, there are ways to protect food and cats from the elements when caring for many cats at once.
Feeding stations can be a great way to keep food and cats protected. Feeding stations can be placed outside or indoors, depending on the weather. Feeding stations should be large enough to hold several foods and water bowls. Feeding stations should also be large enough to keep both dry. Large rectangular storage bins are great for this purpose, as they serve as a feeding station, as well as providing shelter from the elements.
Teaching children how to approach, stroke, and handle cats
There are a few things that children can do when handling cats to make the experience as positive as possible. First of all, they should always be respectful of the cat’s personal space. They shouldn’t push the cat’s boundaries or try to pet it with their bare hands. Instead, they can use toys or treats to encourage the cat to come close and be petted. And they should always remember that cats prefer to be stroked from head to tail, not against their fur.
Second, teach children how to handle cats safely. This may seem like an easy task at first, but it is important to keep in mind that some children are not ready to handle pets. It is best to keep the handling of cats to a young age until the child has developed the necessary confidence.
