How to Successfully Welcome a New Cat into Your Home
Our team wants to make it easier for you to welcome a new cat into your home in honor of Adopt a Shelter Cat Month—which, in our opinion, ought to be observed each month. Being sensitive animals, cats may find it stressful to enter a new setting, particularly if other animals have already staked out the area.
Follow this advice from our team if you’re bringing home a new cat—or two, or three—to make them feel at home.
#1: Create a safe space for your new cat
Your new cat may need a few days to get used to you, and if you have other pets, it may take much longer for them to adjust to your home. By giving your cat their own set of resources, you can help them feel safe and secure in their new surroundings. To avoid competition for necessities, keep your feline friend in a sizable room with their own litter box, food, water, scratching post, and bedding. To help your new cat get used to you, spend lots of time playing, petting, and interacting with them. However, give them time and space to explore on their own without interruption.
#2: Stick to the same diet
The stress of moving to a new environment can cause a cat’s delicate digestive tract to become unsettled, so avoid further stress by sticking to the same food your cat was eating. If you want to switch them to a new diet, give them a few days to settle in with their current diet, then take a week to slowly swap out the old for the new food.
#3: Give your new cat time to settle in
Save the meet-and-greets with family and friends until your pet is at ease with you and their surroundings. A cat may take a week or two to adjust to their new home. To make sure your new cat is healthy and up to date on preventive care, you should arrange a meet-and-greet with your regular veterinarian. Your cat might experience stress from making another trip so soon after the one to your house, so give them another week to unwind before making any further introductions.
Congratulations on your family’s feline addition! Our team can’t wait to meet your newest pet, so give us a call to schedule their wellness visit.