The Definitive Guide: Welcoming a New Cat into Your Home
To commemorate Adopt a Shelter Cat Month (which, in our opinion, should be every month), our team aims to ease the process of bringing a new cat into your home. Cats are delicate creatures, and entering a new environment, particularly when other animals already claim the territory, can be stressful for them.
If you’re welcoming a new cat (or two or three) into your home, follow our team’s tips to help them feel at ease.
#1: Establish a secure space for your new cat
It may take several days for your new cat to feel comfortable around you and even longer to integrate into your household if you have other pets. Ensure your cat’s safety and security in their new surroundings by providing them with their own dedicated resources. Confine your feline friend to a spacious room equipped with their litter box, food and water, scratching post, and bedding, so they don’t have to compete for essential items. Spend ample time playing, petting, and interacting with your new cat to help them get used to your presence, but also give them uninterrupted space to explore on their own.
#2: Maintain their current diet
Moving to a new environment can unsettle a cat’s delicate digestive system due to stress. To avoid further discomfort, stick to the same food they were eating before. If you plan to transition them to a different diet, allow a few days for them to settle in with their current food, then gradually introduce the new food over a week.
#3: Allow your new cat time to acclimate
It may take a week or two for your new cat to fully settle into their new home. Save introductions with family and friends until your pet is comfortable with you and their surroundings. However, it’s important to 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 shortly after bringing them home can be stressful, so let them relax for an additional week before any further introductions.
Congratulations on the new addition to your family! Our team is excited to meet your newest pet. Give us a call to schedule their wellness visit.