Establishing a Cozy Haven for Your Recently Adopted Cat
To commemorate Adopt a Shelter Cat Month— an event we firmly believe should be observed year-round— our team aims to facilitate the process of welcoming a new cat into your household. Cats possess a delicate nature, and transitioning into an unfamiliar environment can induce stress, particularly if other animals have already established their presence within the territory.
If you’re bringing home a new cat—or two or three—follow these tips from our team to help them feel welcome.
#1: Create a safe space for your new cat
Allowing your new cat to acclimate to their surroundings and integrate into your household, particularly in the presence of other pets, can take several days or even longer. To ensure their sense of safety and security in the new environment, it is crucial to provide them with their dedicated set of resources. Allocate a spacious room exclusively for your feline companion, equipped with their own litter box, food and water dishes, scratching post, and cozy bedding, eliminating the need for them to compete for these essentials.
Devote ample time to engage in playtime, petting, and interaction with your new cat to help them become accustomed to your presence. However, also allow them uninterrupted space to explore and navigate their new surroundings at their own pace.
#2: Stick to the same diet
The transition to a new environment can lead to stress and disrupt a cat’s sensitive digestive system. To minimize additional stress, it is advisable to continue feeding your cat the same food they were accustomed to. If you intend to switch them to a new diet, allow them a few days to settle in with their current food before gradually introducing the new food over the course of a week.
#3: Give your new cat time to settle in
A cat may need a week or two to settle into their new home, so save the meet-and-greets with family and friends until your pet is comfortable with you and their surroundings. However, you should schedule a meet-and-greet with your regular veterinarian to ensure your new cat is healthy and up to date on preventive care. Another trip so soon after the ride to your home can be stressful for your cat, so let them relax for another week before any other 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.