Bringing Home a New Cat?
Here's What You Need to Know

"What can I do to help ease the transition
for my new cat or kitten?"

If you already have a cat or kitten, you know the tremendous love and companionship a feline friend can provide. Here are a few pointers and reminders to help make the transition for you and your new family member a lot smoother.

A Stressful Time for Everyone

Remember, coming into a new home will most likely be highly stressful for your new kitten or cat. Older cats may especially have a rough time in new and different surroundings.

A cat's first and natural reaction to new surroundings is to run and hide. Setting up a "safe place" for your cat to hide and hang out will help to make her feel more secure and adjust to her new home a lot quicker. A little Rescue Remedy will also reduce your new kitty's stress level.

Remember that adult cats are highly territorial. Kittens are less so, but it still helps to follow a few suggestions to help reduce the stress and ease the transition for your new family member.

Setting up a safe place inside your home will help to ease the transition for your new kitten or cat. Just like when you bring home a new baby, you will need to have a place already set up for your cat, along with some essential cat supplies.

If possible, set up a small room for your cat to have as his own territory for a little while. If you don't have a spare room, a walk-in closet, or the bathroom will work fine. The room should be quiet and separate from other pets.

Be sure to have the essential cat supplies already set up for your cat. At an absolute minimum, you'll need the following:

• cat litter box and litter box supplies,
• healthy cat food, and
• fresh water.

If you have the space in your cat's safe area, it's helpful to also have the following set up and ready:

• a cat scratching post,
• or other scratching alternative (such as a cardboard scratcher)
• some cat toys, and a
• cat bed.

After your new family member is settled and ready to move in to the rest of her new home, you may want to consider additional cat supplies and cat furniture.

Introducing Your New Cat to Her "Safe Place"

When you first bring your new kitten or cat home, leave her in the pet carrier for a short time while you are in the room setting up or hanging out with your cat. After a little while, open the cat carrier. Don't force your cat to come out. This will only cause more stress and slow down the process of making your cat feel comfortable and safe. Let her decide when she wants to come out. Some cats will remain in the carrier for hours. Don't worry. This is normal for cats.

Eventually, a bit of comfort and some hunger will set in and your cat will come out to explore. Make sure there are food, water, and a litter box set up in your cat's temporary and safe place.

Spend Time With Your New Cat in Her "Safe Place"

As often as you can, spend time visiting with your new cat in her safe space. It's a great idea to wait to bring home your new feline friend until a time when you'll be home for a while. If you work during the week, bringing your cat home on a Saturday morning is a good idea.)

Go into your kitty's safe place several times a day, but don't force your attention on your cat. She'll let you know when she's ready.

It could take your new cat a day, a week, or even more to get used to her safe place and feel comfortable.

Your cat's comfort will depend on several things, such as her temperament, past experiences, or whether there are other animals in the house. Kittens often adjust quicker than full grown cats. Don't worry and don't force the issue. Try to be patient; it will pay off in the long fun. Let your cat or kitten set the pace.

Let her get comfortable in this smaller space before you open up the rest of your home to your new cat.

Time to Explore the Rest of Your Home!

Once your new cat seems comfortable in her safe space, it's time to let her explore the world beyond. Open the door to your cat's safe haven and let her come out and explore the rest of your home at her own pace.

Always keep the door to the safe haven open so your cat can retreat to this safe place when she needs to. Your cat will most likely appear hesitant and a bit of a scaredy cat at first. Don't worry. This is normal.

Most cats will start to make small excursions under the cover of night. This will include rapid retreats back to the safe haven, so be sure to keep the door open and don't let it shut by itself. When getting used to her new home, your cat should always be able to retreat to her safe place.

Be Patient with Your New Cat

Adapting to his new environment and establishing a new territory will take some time. For some cats, it may be just a matter of days, for others, a matter of weeks or even months.

If there are other animals in the house, the adjustment process could take a bit longer, but don't worry. Cats have a way of working out territorial issues.

Let your cat adjust to her new environment at her own pace and you will have a happier cat. With enough time, your cat will rightfully act like she owns the place!

What To Do If There Are Other Pets In Your Home

You'll have additional considerations if you're bringing your new cat home to a household that already has one or more cats, or a resident dog.

Read the related topics below for more information to help ease the transition for your new cat or kitten.

Related Topics

Cats and Dogs - Introducing new cats and dogs to each other.

Multi-Cat Household - Introducing a new cat to a resident cat; how to help cats adjust to each other.

Cat Names - How to choose the perfect name for your new cat or new kitten.

Cat Breeds - All about cat breeds.

Search My Healthy Cat or the Internet for more information.

	Web www.myhealthycat.com

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