7 Tips for Getting Your New Cat Acclimated to Your Home

Around the holiday season, there is a significant increase in the adoption of pets. Then by the time New Year’s comes, many people are left not realizing that taking care of a new pet requires a lot more than just food and water. Cats in particular are known to be anxious creatures of habit and must be handled with care. So how can you ensure your newly adopted Christmas kitty becomes a happy member of your family?

Here are 7 tips on how to get your cat used to their new home.

1. Plan ahead

Before bringing your new cat home with you, an appointment should be made with your veterinarian of choice to examine your cat. If possible, scheduling it directly after picking her up is ideal; eliminating an extra trip from the house to yet another unfamiliar environment.
In addition to making this appointment it’s a good idea to give a towel or a blanket to the shelter several days before bringing your new companion home. This will allow the cat to make the blanket smell like them, which will keep them calmer on the ride home.

2. Keep the same food

Find out what kind of food the cat was being given, and have that food available at home. Starting animals on a new food abruptly can cause discomfort in their digestive systems. If you want to change their food after they are used to their new home, just mix in the new food with the old food over the course of a week to minimize any digestive discomfort.

3. Block off a room

It’s important to ensure that kitty has a safe and quiet space to get used to before making his or her way through the rest of the house. He or she could be overwhelmed if given too much space to explore at once. It’s also common for your feline friend to hide under furniture for extended periods of time. Be sure to leave their crate open so they can hide inside if they feel the need. If he or she seems too timid, you can leave the room and check back later. Patience is key.

4. Introducing family members

When bringing other family members around the cat, do so one at a time. Allow them to pet the cat and play with it. If introducing a child, make sure to explain to them the gentlest way to pet her. Tell them not to chase or bother him or her while they eats

5. Introducing other cats

If you have other cats, tread lightly. Cats are territorial creatures and while there may be hissing when they are first introduced to one another, they will get used to the other cat’s presence. New cats should be separated from the cats that already live in your home. They can sniff at each other through a door. After a little while, try letting them see each other. You can get them used to the new cat’s scent by rubbing a towel over the new cat and using the same towel on the old cat. Pet Education has a more in depth plan for introducing cats if the above idea doesn’t work.

6. Introducing dogs

When introducing a new cat to a household with a dog, things are different. Keep them separated. At some time when the dog is outside or crated, allow the cat to move about the house and get used to his or her surroundings. Once he or she is acclimated to the space itself, you can introduce your dog. Keep it on a short leash and tell it to sit before having the cat come in. Don’t leave the animals alone until they are used to one another

7. Calming products. There are lots of products to calm your cat’s anxieties when being introduced to a new place, being taken to the veterinarian or when there are visitors at the house. Thundershirts are becoming increasingly popular calming treatments for cats and dogs. There are also calming diffusers that release relaxing pheromones with a fragrant scent that plug into the wall.

Did you bring a new kitty into your family for the holidays? How is the adjustment going? Leave a comment and let us know!