Making Your New Cat Feel at Home
Introducing a cat to your home can be scary on both sides. Here's some hints about how to make the process go well for everyone involved.
Congratulations!
You've just adopted a new cat or kitten, stocked up on supplies and visited the vet for a check up. Now with just a little planning, you can ensure that your new friend adjusts quickly and easily to their new home and family.
Its important to be aware that your new cat is already stressed from having been in a shelter or having been given up for adoption. Since cats are territorial by nature, coming to a new home will also increase that stress. You will want to make your new cat feel comfortable as quickly as possible.
- Start small - When you bring your new cat home, confine them to a single room, with food, water and litter for the first few days. They will be able to "take ownership" of their new territory in a small dose in their own time without competing with other animals or humans for the space.
- Familiarize - Spend as much time as possible quietly sitting in the same room with the cat. Your cat will come out when it feels ready and will find your familiar scent and sound comforting as they get ready to explore. Some cats may hide for as long as a week, while others will be out and about in mere hours.
- Monitor - Even stressed cats will eat and drink on a regular basis. Monitor the food and water in the room; if your cat doesn't appear to be eating for more than 24 hours, please visit the vet as a precaution.
- Single visits - Start introducing other family members one at a time. Children are sure to be excited about their new playmate, so keep the visits short if their enthusiasm is intimidating for your new cat. Playing with kitty toys is a great way to entertain your children and spark your cat's interest at the same time.
- Reassure other animals - Older pets may become jealous or concerned with your new cats arrival. Spend additional time with other pets and let them continue to have the run of their territory minus the small space for the new arrival. Exchanging items between the new and old pets can help familiarize them with each others scent. Provide separate litter boxes, food and water bowls and keep your other animals routine as intact as possible.
- Litter boxes - Be sure you have one litter box for each cat in the household; some cats may share, but this is one of the most common reasons cats eliminate in unwanted areas. If you have a kitten, you may need several litter boxes placed strategically about the house; if a kitten can't remember where the nearest litter box is, they'll likely find a secluded corner to go. Cats can also be picky about the type of litter used or have urinary problems that require a visit to the vet.
- Scratching - Cats use scratching to mark scent, exercise and trim their nails. Redirect your cat to a scratching post any time they start to use an unacceptable piece of furniture. Catnip can make a post irresistible if your cat seems a bit reluctant to use it. Make sure whatever post you use doesn't move or wobble when being used. NEVER declaw your cats; you wouldn't want someone to amputate your fingertips, now would you?
- Off limits - Cats love high places and sometimes this means they jump on counters and other areas where you'd rather not end up with cat hair. Find a spot in every room where your cat can hang out and move them there any time they get up in the wrong spot. Having a treat waiting at the preferred location can help reinforce that area for the cat. Repetition is the key; if the positive reinforcement doesn't seem to be working, a quick squirt from a spray bottle can make an excellent deterrent for the off-limits areas.