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ADOPTION A-GUIDE Z WELCOME TO THE A-Z GUIDE TO CAT ADOPTION! THE FOLLOWING IS AN INTERACTIVE AND EDUCATIONAL GUIDE BOOK TO ALL THINGS CAT ADOPTION. Considering bringing a cute cat home from your local shelter? Purrfect! You’ve come to the right place. This guidebook offers great TIPS, TRICKS and ADVICE on how to love and care for your cat following adoption. Wondering how you can help support your local shelter? Pawesome! This guidebook features insight on how to best help out. Love to color and looking for a fun activity for you and your kiddos? Hey ! This book is packed with fun.

Enjoy.

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A-Z 1 ®

CAT Each year around 3 MILLION enter shelters DOPT in the United States.

A large number of these ION DID YOU cats have lived in TWO HOMES Adopting a cat is both a generous and fulfilling KNOW? BEFORE YOURS act. By adopting a cat out of a shelter, you can and had to adjust to a new give them a forever home full of love and care lifestyle repeatedly. they may have never experienced before.

Cats bring joy into our lives that is unmatched by Over any other living being--they love selflessly, but 1.5 MILLION always with added flair. Becoming the parent to a cats are adopted each year rescue feline ensures you’ll never be alone (even in the United States. when in the bathroom), you’ll never get bored and Of the >1.4 million cats you’ll always have a loved one to turn to for comfort. euthanized in shelters each year, 80% ARE HEALTHY At World’s Best Cat Litter™, cat adoption is an enough to be adopted into new homes. issue that is near and dear to our hearts that we support through a variety of efforts including our charitable initiative, GiveLitter™, which donates litter to shelters in need.

To celebrate cat adoption, we put together this A to Z guide to help prepare you for bringing a feline companion into your home with interactive games, wacky facts, care tips and puzzles cat lovers of all ages will enjoy.

2 A NEW ® BEGINNING Adoption marks a new beginning for your household. Though a cat may seem like a low maintenance , they are a living being with emotions and needs that require care from you. Transitioning to a new home isn’t an easy task, so it’s important to be prepared beforehand.

BEGINNING

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING:

STRESS Your new cat is likely to be feeling anxious and nervous in their new surroundings. It’s important to be patient with them during this time.

HIDING To cope with their anxiety, cats tend to try and find areas to hide away in. To prevent your cat from going “missing” in your house, confine them to a single room without any hard-to-reach nooks and crannies for a couple of days until they adjust to your presence, so you can keep a close eye on them during the transition.

SUPPLIES Give your new cat a private place to do his business, away from his food and water. Use a new litter box with two to three inches of fresh litter inside. You may want to use a litter with a cat attractant during this process to help prevent litter aversion from developing.

LACK OF APPETITE Another side effect of the stress of relocation is that your new cat may not immediately be interested in eating, or may only consume a small amount. Instead of forcing the issue, allow them to eat on their own time and in privacy.

INTRODUCTIONS If you have other , confining your new cat to a separate room for a few days will allow time for both pets to grow used to each other’s scents before making an introduction. After a few days, allow the two to share the same space but keep a close eye until they grow accustomed to each other’s presence.

See page 28 for answers! 3 CAT LOVE ® We love cats--that’s a fact. They’re odd, adorable creatures who never fail to keep us on our toes. These five crazy cat facts show just how peculiar our favorite fur babies can be.

Cats’ vision doesn’t include the area UNDERNEATH THEIR NOSES.

Cats have an EXTRA ORGAN that allows them to “taste-scent” the air.

When cats are awake, one-third of their time is spent CLEANING THEMSELVES.

The average house cat is FASTER THAN USAIN BOLT.

Cats’ noses are ridged with patterns that are unique, LIKE FINGERPRINTS.

4 DOS AND ® DON’TS So you adopted a new cat…Now what? There are a few basic rules to cat parenthood that are great guides to follow during this transitional period.

DO ... DON’T ...

• Create a space just for them • Rush it

• Spend time together • Force them into an alone to bond overwhelming environment

• Go at their pace • Leave them too much to their own devices • Slowly transition to new • Suddenly change their food litters or foods (if necessary) or litter • Keep their surroundings calm • Expect immediate results

5 ENDLESS ® PLAYTIME

Cats love to play, and it’s good for their health! Daily play will help your cat stay at a healthy weight, keep their muscles in good use, and keep their mind sharp. Just find your cat’s favorite toy, whether it’s a felt mouse or an old sock, and try a little game of cat and mouse. We’ve hidden 10 feline favorites in this crossword. WHICH CAN YOU FIND?

SCRATCHES

HAIRBALL

FUR

LITTER

MOUSE

CLAWS

TOYS

TREATS

TREASURES

PAWPRINTS

See page 28 for answers! 6 GETTING ® FIXED GETTING FIXED Spaying or your cat is essential to help reduce the population of stray cats, by reducing the number of that could end up abandoned or in + shelters. Another reason to consider getting your cat “fixed” or “altered” is that it Swelling has a few health benefits. Discharge HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPAYING & NEUTERING: Spaying female cats can help reduce the risk of her developing breast tumors or uterine infections, especially if done before her first heat. In male cats, neuter Persistent redness surgery can help reduce the risk of testicular cancer and other prostate issues. Continuous or intermittent bleeding

AFTERCARE: Odor Make sure to check the surgical site twice daily for any unexpected symptoms like: Trouble breathing Unless advised by your veterinarian, don’t use any ointments or treatments on the surgical site. These can obstruct your cat’s natural healing process. Don’t groom Poor stability or bathe your cat after surgery for a few days, and keep the surgical site dry. Any physical contact with your cat’s skin, especially near the surgical site may cause Bruising extra irritation or disturb your cat’s stitches. Abnormal body temperature Shivering Diarrhea Loss of appetite

7 GROOMING ® What better way to welcome your newly adopted cat U into the house than with a little bit of a kitty makeover. These grooming tips will keep your cat looking spiffy R and feeling fantastic. U

NAIL TRIMMING BATH TIME BRUSHING Help your cat get used to the feeling of Try bathing your cat at a time when they are Regular brushing will help to keep cats’ skin having their nails extended before you try to feeling most relaxed. and coat healthy, prevent hairballs, and will trim them. Calmly sit them in your lap and 1. Trim your cat’s claws beforehand remove excess fur or dead skin. gently massage the back of their paws until a 2. Keep a mat on the bath floor so your cat 1. Gently run a metal or rubber brush over nail is extended. If your cat is especially doesn’t slip their back, sides, stomach and tail anxious, spend time trying this with each of 2. Use talcum powder, or your fingers to their nails on all four paws. 3. Use lukewarm water, not cold gently pull apart knots or mats 1. Wait until your cat is feeling calm or tired 4. Use a hand-held shower head or a cup to 3. After combing, check their skin for ticks, to trim its nails, like after play or meal time bring the water to your cat, instead of moving the cat underneath a nozzle fleas or any other irritants 2. Choose an empty room and a large chair 4. For short-haired cats, brush weekly. where your cat can fit comfortably on your lap 5. Avoid getting water near or in their eyes, ears and nose For long-haired cats brush every 2-3 days 3. Try cutting some uncooked spaghetti with the clippers to get your cat used to the sound 6. Gently massage shampoo into the fur from neck to tail, in the direction of hair growth 4. Gently massage the back of your cat’s paw, so that the nails extend forward 7. If you need to clean your cat’s face, use a damp washcloth to wipe down their fur, and 5. Trim only the white part of the nail, as the avoid their ears and eyes pink portion is a highly sensitive area containing nerves and blood vessels 8. Wrap them in a warm towel and give them a towel massage to help them dry off 6. Reward your cat with a treat afterward 9. Reward them with a treat, and some extra cuddles

8 HOME ® SWEET HOME Adopting a cat is about more than getting a cute and cuddly kitty to call your fur baby—it’s about giving a cat a forever home filled with love, laughter, and of course, ™ World’s Best Cat Litter .

Part of creating a forever home means providing your cat with places of their own to eat, do their business and curl up in comfort to sleep.

Create a kitty haven in your home with Kitty Kasas, the durable, stackable plastic cubes that come with cushions for sleep or scratching posts for play! They’re easy to clean and can be stacked in tons of ways to fit your space.

Visit kittykasas.com to learn more.

9 IF I FITS ®

One of the absolute best things about cats is their predilection So much room. S to sit in very strange places. You may try buying them a cat bed, and who knows, maybe your cat will be that one feline that actually uses it...but, it’s far more likely they’ll end up I snoozing in your sink, fruit bowl, shoe box or laundry basket. T S Still comfortable.

Definitely fit here.

I can make it work. This is okay.

OK struggling…

10 JUST ® ROLL WITH IT Being a cat parent means knowing that life is unpredictable, and your fur baby will never stop doing things that surprise you. Part of the fun is learning to roll with the punches and enjoy everything raising a cat has to offer, even if it’s a hairball on your brand new carpet.

Let’s see if you have what it takes to roll with the unexpected.

See page 29 for answers! 11 KEEP ® GUESSING

You think you understand your cat? Think again. You may have some idea what’s going through their head, but cats are such emotionally complex creatures we’ll never really be able to predict how they’ll act.

One second, they’re lovingly rubbing your leg, begging for more treats, and the next they’re speeding through the house at 20 mph knocking over lamps and scratching your curtains.

THINK YOU CAN MAKE SENSE OF THE FELINE MIND? Try your hand at solving this purrrrplexing puzzle.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 20 16

E E E E 7 22 16 20 6 16 20 9 6 14 10 5 20 9 14 20

See page 29 for answers! 12 LITTER ® AVERSION Let’s take a moment to talk about a little known fact that’s hugely important in the world of cats. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CAT DOESN’T WANT TO USE THEIR LITTER BOX:

THE #1 REASON CATS ARE 1. CHECK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES SURRENDERED TO SHELTERS IS Common causes of litter aversion include: • Change in diet/litter • Cognitive issues (often age related) WHAT IS LITTER AVERSION? • Dirty litter box • Territorial issues with multiple cats Any time a cat chooses to use an area of your house other than their litter box to go to the • New guest/cat in home • Stressful environment restroom, it’s called litter box aversion. Litter box aversion can be a highly stressful issue for cat • Temperature around litter box parents — particularly because it most often starts out of the blue.

2. VISIT YOUR VETERINARIAN If there’s no obvious behavioral cause, try consulting your veterinari- an. Litter aversion is often a symptom or side effect of a medical condition.

3. SWITCH TO A LITTER WITH A CAT ATTRACTANT Slowly transition from your old litter to a litter with an attractant designed to draw cats to their litter box.

WORLD’S BEST CAT LITTER™ ADVANCED SERIES PICKY CAT™

4. REWARD YOUR CAT FOR USING THEIR LITTER BOX Offer your cat treats and encouragement after they successfully go to the bathroom in their litter box to help your cat view their box as a happy, safe place.

13 MEOW TO LOVE ®

! C o A d T e S w ’ e B ik R t l A us IN j S ed A at R str E fru 90 d % an d SI re M bo IL y, AR pp T ha O eel O ey f URS. Th 14 NEVER ALONE ® Hello, new kitty! Goodbye personal space. Cats love company and you’ll be their favorite friend.

Good luck trying to roll in your sleep. THERE’S A SMALL, FLUFFY KITTY IN THE NOOK OF YOUR KNEES.

No more privacy, no more closed doors. LOOK DOWN TO SEE A PAW SCRATCH YOUR FLOOR!

Want to brush your teeth? Get ready for nuzzles. CATS THINK THE SINK IS A GOOD SPOT FOR A CUDDLE.

15 ON TOP ® OF THE WORLD

OR THE COUCH. OR YOUR LAP. OR THE FRIDGE.

OR THE DOOR. OR THE KEYBOARD. OR YOUR HEAD.

16 Being a cat parent means knowing that life is unpredictable, and your fur baby will never stop doing things that surprise you. Part of the fun is learning to roll with the punches and enjoy everything raising a cat has to offer, even if it’s a hairball on your brand new carpet.

Let’s see if you have what it takes to roll with the unexpected.

PROPER ® RE ATION Cats may be relatively low-maintenance ® compared to dogs, but there are still a number of things you’ll need to prepare your home before adopting.

LITTER BOX SCRATCHING POST TREATS TOYS If your cat is still young, you Your cat has sharp nails, and While treats may not seem like a All cats need toys. Playtime keeps could opt for a top-entry litter they’ll need a place to use them. necessity, they’re a great tool for them fit, physically and mentally! box, but senior cats need easier Opt for a scratching post, or it training and provide good, access. Try a box with a dip in could end up being your couch. positive reinforcement. LITTER the side for easy entry. The shelter may send you home FOOD TRAVEL CRATE/CARRIER BAG FOOD & WATER BOWLS with some litter, but after that All cats have different nutritional Whether you’re traveling to a Opt for larger food and water you’ll need to decide on the best needs. Try chatting with your relatives or heading to the vet, bowls so your cat doesn’t get formula for you; natural or clay, veterinarian about what type of a crate or travel bag is a whisker fatigue. clumping or not, then slowly food your fur baby needs. necessity. transition to your new litter.

17 QUIT ® STRESSING Some cats are nervous nellies. If your fur baby is having a 6”X 6” FOLD IN HALF PAPER tough time calming down, there are a few tricks you can try to make them feel more comfortable.

1. CREATE A SPACE JUST FOR THEM FOLD UNFOLD Planning a party? Having work done to your home? Expecting houseguests? Give your cat a safe, IN HALF quiet, calm place to hide away, preferably in a favorite area of your home. Ask others not to disturb AGAIN kitty in her sanctuary.

2. GIVE THEM SOME EXTRA LOVE Whenever the chaos and the crowds die down, make sure to spend some time snuggling with your cat to let them know that the excitement is over for now and that things can go back to normal. FOLD FOLD RIGHT LEFT CORNER CORNER UP UP 3. KEEP A CLOSE EYE FOR UNUSUAL CAT BEHAVIORS Some anxiety isn’t abnormal, especially if you’ve made changes in your household that could cause your cat to stress, but if you notice your cat isn’t eating normally or using the litter box as often as usual, these may be a sign of more severe cat stress. This can sometimes lead to illnesses, so you should take extra precautions at this point, and contact your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual. FOLD FLIP OVER TOP TIP 4. USE PRODUCTS THAT HELP REDUCE STRESS DOWN Soothing flower scents or feline facial pheromones, such as Bach Flower Remedies or Feliway®, can assist your stressed cat in feeling at ease. You can also reduce stress for both you and your cat by keeping the litter box clean, and using a litter with a cat attractant to help draw your cat to the box, like World’s Best Cat Litter™ Advanced Series Picky Cat™. DRAW ENJOY! CUSTOM 5. KEEP A ROUTINE FACE Cats, especially older cats, cope better with stress when they have a routine they can stick to. So if you normally feed or walk your cat at certain times of the day, you should try to stick to a set schedule. Make time to play with them regularly and show affection, so they don’t start to feel thrown off balance.

http://www.origami-instructions.com 18 THE ® RIGHT LITTER FOR YOU There are tons of cat START BY NARROWING DOWN YOUR CHOICES: litter brands and formulas NATURAL VS. CLAY out there, and entire Most traditional cat litters are made from clay and have been ever since cat owners switched from using sand and sawdust in the early 1900s. However, natural litters have recently become more and more popular as they don’t involve strip mining, can sometimes be aisles of bags, boxes and flushed, and don’t typically contain the harmful silica dust sometimes found in clay litter. jugs. How do you know CLUMPING VS. NON-CLUMPING which is right for you? While your choice of a clumping or non-clumping litter is largely based on personal preference, clumping litter tends to trap bacteria, fluids and odor better and results in a cleaner litter box.

SCENTED VS. UNSCENTED There are many options when it comes to litter scent, whether you opt for an artificially-scented clay litter, the natural scent of corn or pine, or a naturally-scented litter.

19 STAY FIT ® People often consider exercise requirements when considering TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR CAT HEALTHY: whether to adopt a dog - but, why don’t we do the same for cats? 1. Make playtime a daily occurence. T 2. Switch to a puzzle feeder to prevent binge-eating. Whether your cat is an indoor-only cat or indoor-outdoor, exercise is an extremely important aspect of their wellbeing. Regular playtime will help to keep your cat fit both physically 3. Get a fountain to encourage your cat to drink more water. and mentally. 4. Take them for walks and hikes outdoors with a harness and leash. A With cat obesity becoming an increasingly common issue here in the United States, it’s more 5. Limit the amount of treats you give them. important than ever to make sure you’re helping your cat stay at a healthy weight.

Y EXERCISE YOUR MIND AND SEE IF YOU CAN FIND ALL 10 HIDDEN CATS F U N

See page 29 for answers! 20 While you should keep the amount of human

® food you give your cat to a minimum, unless TREAT you’re cooking meals specifically for them, it’s important to know which human foods TIME are safe for cats.

PROTEINS: FRUITS: • Skinless Chicken (The best!) • Bananas (Can be frozen and • Lean Beef blended to make a creamy texture) • Liver • Blueberries (Raw or frozen) • Lamb • Watermelon/Cantaloupe/ • Lean Deli Meats Honeydew (No seeds!) • Cooked Eggs • Peeled Apples

VEGGIES: DAIRY: • Pumpkin/Squash • Hard Cheeses • Peas (Cheddar, Gouda, etc.) • Cucumber • Low Lactose Cheeses • Cooked or Steamed Carrots, Broccoli, (Cottage Cheese) Asparagus, Green Beans • Yogurt (Plain, Low-Fat)

GRAINS: FISH: • Cooked Corn/Polenta • Cooked Salmon/Tuna • Couscous/Millet (Many cats like the tiny texture of these grains) • Canned Fish • Bread/Breadcrumbs • Fish Oil (In small quantities, fish oil can help your cat’s dry skin in the • Oatmeal (Plain oats are high in protein!) winter.) • Mashed Sweet Potatoes

21 PERFECTLY ® UNIQUE When it comes to finding the perfect cat for you, there are quite a few breeds - but our favorite one? SHELTER CAT!

Abyssinian LaPerm Aegean Cat Li Hua American Bobtail Manx Munchkin Balinese Bengal Oriental Persian Bombay Pixiebob Ragamuffin Burmese Savannah Cymric Siamese Siberian Singapura Havana Brown Somali Himalayan Sphynx Tonkinese FIND ME! Javanese

See page 30 for answers! 22 ASK THE VET ® Is your cat not eating? Hiding more? Throwing up regularly? CALL THE VET.

One of your primary responsibilities as a pet owner is to find a trustworthy, local veterinarian. You never know when there may be an emergency, or when your cat’s health could decline.

In general, cats are taken to the veterinarian much less often than dogs, which means by the time a veterinarian diagnoses a health issue, it’s usually too late for treatment. Cats also tend to mask their symptoms, making regular vet visits all the more important to keep track of their health.

DID YOU KNOW? Many people only bring their cat to the vet when they’re sick, but CATS NEED YEARLY CHECKUPS JUST LIKE YOU!

23 1. CREATE A SPACE JUST FOR THEM Planning a party? Having work done to your home? Expecting houseguests? Give your cat a safe, quiet, calm place to hide away, preferably in a favorite area of your home. Ask others not to disturb kitty in her sanctuary.

2. GIVE THEM SOME EXTRA LOVE Whenever the chaos and the crowds die down, make sure to spend some time snuggling with your cat to let them know that the excitement is over for now and that things can go back to normal.

3. KEEP A CLOSE EYE FOR UNUSUAL CAT BEHAVIORS Some anxiety isn’t abnormal, especially if you’ve made changes in your household that could cause your cat to stress, but if you notice your cat isn’t eating normally or using the litter box as often as usual, these may be a sign of more severe cat stress. This can sometimes lead to illnesses, so you should take extra precautions at this point, and contact your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual.

4. USE PRODUCTS THAT HELP REDUCE STRESS Soothing flower scents or feline facial pheromones, such as Bach Flower Remedies or Feliway®, can assist your stressed cat in feeling at ease. You can also reduce stress for both you and your cat by keeping the litter box clean, and using a litter with a cat attractant to help draw your cat to the box, like World’s Best Cat Litter™ Advanced Series Picky Cat™.

5. KEEP A ROUTINE Cats, especially older cats, cope better with stress when they have a routine they can stick to. So if you normally feed or walk your cat at certain times of the day, you should try to stick to a set schedule. Make time to play with them regularly and show affection, so they don’t start to feel thrown off balance.

BUT WHY ® You may think that as time passes, your cat will stop seeming so mysterious and become more predictable. We’re here to tell you - YOU’RE WRONG.

Yes, some of their habits may remain the same throughout the years, but every so often they’ll do something so new and so strange you’ll look at them as though they’re a whole new cat. They say old dogs can’t learn new tricks, but old cats sure can.

1. WHY DO CATS SNEEZE? The most common reason why your cat is sneezing is the same as it is for humans. Cats get a tickle in their throat or nose and need to sneeze to get rid of it. They may also sneeze from allergies, chemical irritants or even infections.

2. WHY DO CATS KNEAD? Kittens take up while they nurse their mother to help stimulate blood flow. As they grow, they may knead to form a place to lie down, as their ancestors would have done in the grass, or to mark their territory through the glands on their paws. Sometimes female cats will also knead before they go into heat, to signal to males that they’re ready to mate.

3. WHY DO THEY LOVE ? The oil in catnip, Nepetalactone, stimulates neuroreceptors when sniffed, licked or ingested by cats and produces effects similar to those of pheromones (reproductive hormones).

4. WHY DO CATS MAKE SO MANY DIFFERENT NOISES? Cats can make up to 100 noises, but when they meow it’s typically for one of a few reasons: To communicate stress

To say hello To be let in or out BECAUSE THEY ARE BECAUSE THEY ARE HURT I N H E AT To ask for food BECAUSE THEY’RE FEELING HAPPY OR ANGRY

24 X’S AND O’S ® Cat ownership comes with lots of kisses and hugs. For this two person game, one player will be X’s See below for examples and one will be O’s. Players take turns marking their letter in the lowest possible spot in their chosen of winning boards! column. To win, you’ll need to get four of your letters in a row vertically, horizontally or diagonally!

25 YOUNG ® AT HEART While you may be tempted to only consider adopting kittens or young cats, there are tons of reasons to adopt a senior cat instead!

1. THEY’RE CALMER. Kittens are all fun and games, all the time. Their energy never stops, which can be hard to keep up with if you’re at work often or don’t have the energy for constant playtime.

2. THEY’RE GREAT AT READING THE ROOM. Senior cats are much better at understanding human behavior and moods, and will be able to tell when you’re happy versus when you’re upset. Kittens, on the other hand, haven’t learned this skill yet and will do their own thing regardless.

3. SENIOR CATS ARE GREAT CUDDLERS. Because they’re calmer and tend to have less energy than kittens, it’s likely your senior cat will want to spend a lot of time cuddling and hanging out with you on the couch.

4. THEY MAKE GREAT COMPANIONS FOR SENIORS AND CHILDREN. As we age, companionship plays a big part in keeping our days exciting and our minds sharp. Senior cats are uniquely suited to this as they are in a similar stage of life. They’re also great for kids that may not be prepared to handle the chaos of a but would love a mellow feline to hang out and cuddle with.

26 ZOOMIES ® Young or old, your cat is likely to get the zoomies every once in a while, and there’s a good chance it’ll be at 3am when you’re trying to sleep.

A little run around the house or a playtime session is great for your cats health, so it’s okay to let them exhaust their spare energy tearing their stuffed mouse to bits.

See page 30 for answers! 27 LaPerm Li Hua Maine Coon Manx Munchkin Norwegian Forest Cat Ocicat Oriental Persian Pixiebob Ragamuffin Ragdoll Russian Blue Savannah Scottish Fold Selkirk Rex Siamese Siberian Singapura Somali Sphynx Tonkinese Toyger Turkish Angora Turkish Van

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FIND ME!

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