Welcoming a new cat into your home is an exciting journey, but it requires thoughtful preparation to ensure a smooth transition for your feline friend. Creating a safe, comfortable, and enriching environment is key to helping your new cat feel at ease. Follow these essential steps to prepare your home and set the stage for a happy and healthy life together.
01
Prepare a Safe Room
Create a quiet and secure starter room for the new cat to help them acclimate to your home. The room should have a secure door and ceiling.
02
Cat-Proof the Room
Block off areas where the cat could hide and be unreachable. Provide hiding spots like cardboard boxes or draped sheets over chairs. Choose the quietest room initially and gradually transition to noisier parts of the house.
03
Equip the Room
Place cat food, water, and an open litter box in the room. Position food and water on one side and the litter box on the other. Shy cats may not eat much initially and could experience temporary stress-related diarrhea. Offer tasty treats if the cat hasn’t eaten in 48 hours.
Provide Hiding Spots
New cats may be nervous and prefer to hide. Use cardboard boxes or sheets over chairs as hiding spots. Remove large furniture to make it easier to interact with the cat
Help The Cat Get to Know You
Place a piece of your clothing with your scent in the safe room. Spend time with the cat multiple times a day by reading, singing, or just being present to build trust.
Provide a New Scratching Post
Place a new, unused scratching post (at least one meter tall) in the safe room. Scratching is comforting for cats and helps them adapt to their new surroundings. Also provide toys like mice and balls in the safe room for the cat to play with when you’re not around.
Spend Time with Your New Cat
Visit frequently for short periods, either interacting directly or just being present. Be mindful of nervous behaviors like growling or hissing, and respond by speaking softly and giving the cat some alone time.
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04
Outside The Safe Room
Once trust is established, allow the cat to explore the house gradually. Supervise this process and close most doors to prevent overwhelming the cat. Avoid letting a shy cat into the basement initially due to many hiding spots.
05
The Entire House
Once trust is established, allow the cat to explore the house gradually. Supervise this process and close most doors to prevent overwhelming the cat. Avoid letting a shy cat into the basement initially due to many hiding spots.
