Best Way to 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 these 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
If you already have other pets in your home, it may take your new cat a few days to feel at ease around you and much longer for them to adjust. Don’t forget to give your cat their own set of resources so they can feel safe and secure in their new surroundings. To prevent your feline friend from having to compete for necessities, keep them segregated in a big room with their own litter box, food, water, scratching post, and bedding. Give your new cat plenty of time to get used to you by playing, petting, and interacting with them, but also give them room to roam free and uninhibited.
#2: Stick to the same diet
Stick to the same food your cat was eating to prevent additional stress. Moving to a new environment can upset a cat’s delicate digestive system. Give them a few days to adjust to their current diet if you want to switch them to a new one, then take a week to gradually introduce the new foods.
#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! Give us a call to set up your new pet’s wellness check; we can’t wait to meet them.