Tips & Tricks for Making a Cozy Home for Your New Cat
Our team wants to make adopting a new cat into your house as easy as possible in recognition of Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, which in our opinion ought to be observed each month. Cats are sensitive animals, so moving into a new area can be distressing, particularly if other cats have already staked out a claim.
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
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 confident in their new surroundings. To prevent your feline buddy from having to compete for necessities, keep them segregated in a big room with their own litter box, food, water, scratching post, and blanket. Give your new cat lots of time to become used to you by playing, petting, and socializing with them, but also give them room to roam free and uninhibited.
#2: Maintain their diet
Stick to the same food your cat was eating to prevent additional stress. Moving to a new environment might upset a cat’s delicate digestive system. Give them a few days to adjust to their existing diet if you wish to switch them to a new one, then take a week to introduce the new foods gradually.
#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 adding a cat to your household! Give us a call to set up your new pet’s wellness check; we can’t wait to meet them.