A new cat in the household can be a lot for even the most well-adjusted cat, so it's not surprising that many newly adopted cats have a rough first few weeks at home. Adapting to a new home can be a tense and frightening experience for a feline. Depending on the circumstances, a cat might have to start all over again when it comes to house training. Your perseverance and understanding during his preliminary adjustment period can do a whole lot to help your new cat feel comfortable. And KittyNook is here to help you help your new cat adjust to its new home.
The Trip Home
Let's start in the beginning. Car rides can be traumatic for cats. Your feline or kitten should be constrained to a carrier throughout the ride home. Do not allow your new kitty to move around the car. Do not leave your new cat unattended in the vehicle to stop by and see friends, or go to the store, etc. Keep your cat in his carrier up until you are securely inside your home.
The First Day
Bringing Your New Feline Home: What to Expect
Bringing a shelter cat home for the first time is exciting! However, the uncertainty involved in adopting a cat can likewise make you distressed. Will they like your house? Have you got whatever they'll need? Knowing what to anticipate when bringing a new cat home will go a long way in making the procedure less complicated. It will also help you understand if something isn't right and they need medical attention.
- Introduce your cat to its new home gradually, limiting it to one room in the beginning.
- Keep other pets away from your new cat during this time. Oversee kids' interaction with the cat, telling them to be constantly gentle. Have the can ready when you remove the pet cat from the carrier. Program him the area of the can. Offer a dish of water; however, do not give food for an hour. Your feline might be overwhelmed and afraid. Do not stress it further with attention or demands. Remember to keep windows, doors, and other possible openings closed. Stressed cats can quickly jump out from an open, high window. Make sure the feline has an I.D. tag on at all times. It is not uncommon for cats to jump on top of really high furnishings to explore or feel safe. Do not panic, shout, or go to the feline. When they're ready, they will eventually come down on their own.
- Spend several hours with your new feline as it starts being accustomed to your home. Your delicate handling of the initial transition can relieve the cat's trauma and can set the stage for a happy settling-in.
Getting Used To Their New House
It is usual for your cat to take some time to adjust to its new environment. After all, everything is unique to them: the environment, the schedule, the expectations, and house rules. Time, perseverance, consistency, and, more importantly, love can go a long way in helping a new feline feel safe in their new home.
Periods of change can last a couple of days, a couple of weeks, or months. Each feline is different. Grown-up cats typically require even more time to readjust than kittens, considering that they've likely been rehomed, making modifications much more radical for them. You might see some signs of tension throughout the adjustment period:
- Hiding
- Destructive habits (like eating or scratching improper products)
- Going to the bathroom outside their can
- Refusing to consume food or water
You can do these to help your new feline adapt to their home:
Give them room. Give them a risk-free and comfortable location to hide in when they require space. Spritzing this room with soothing pheromones or putting in a relaxing scent diffuser nearby can encourage safety and security.
Keep their environment constant. Put their food, water, and bedding where you plan on having it long-term.
Establish routines in their regimen. Having a regular feeding time and time for exercise or play help your pet cat to acclimate to their new home.
Keep their atmosphere calm. Do not overwhelm them with site visitors or tasks throughout the first week or two after getting home.
Provide lots of enrichment activities. Having access to interactive toys and scratching surfaces helps your cat reduce stress and anxiety in a positive way (it also saves your furnishings!).
If you have various other animals in the home, ensure that they're presented appropriately.
Sleeping Routines
Most felines pick numerous preferred sleeping areas where they can be comfortable and warm. Providing a bed for your cat might prevent him from resting on furnishings. A cozy box or a basket lined with soft, washable bed linens and positioned in a quiet corner can double as beds.
Some cats appreciate constantly picking new (and sometimes unusual) resting areas. If you enable your feline to rest on furnishings, a wipable cover can be positioned over the favored places. A cat's resting place should be valued. Do not allow kids to interrupt your cat when he is resting. Felines require seclusion in their quiet time.
New Cat To A Resident Dog
Please keep your dog leashed until the cat feels safe in its new environment. Introduce them indoors with the dog on a leash. Do not enable the dog to go after or catch the cat, even out of playfulness or curiosity. Oversee them meticulously, and do not tolerate any type of negative habits from your dog. The feline should have a risk-free hideaway, either up high or in a space not accessible to the dog.
A grown-up cat may knock a dog to set limits. Allow your pets to approve of one another in their own time, and do not leave them alone together up until they are entirely comfortable with one another. Never force interaction. Many cats and dogs end up being companions and friends while others merely tolerate each other. Make sure to offer your dog lots of extra attention to avoid jealous responses.
New Cat To Other Pets In The House
Birds, rats, and fish should be adequately safeguarded from feasible harassment by your new cat. These animals are prey on cats and may be stressed by the mere presence of the new cat. Cats and rabbits typically live sympathetically together, with the bunny commonly presuming the dominant role. Nevertheless, watch early interactions closely in case your feline should exhibit a prey response. Never leave them unsupervised with each other until their relationship is established.
Bringing A New Kitten Home
Kitten-proof your house. Kittens are naturally inquisitive, and these little furballs will require communication and consistency as they clear up into their brand-new location. Make sure that your residence is kitten-proofed, so they remain safe in their expeditions. It's essential to enclose accessibility to potentially harmful products, such as the trash bin, computer system or power cables, and poisonous plants (like lilies). Closing doors or establishing entrances can go a long way in keeping your kitten out of harmful circumstances.
Make them feel at home. Have multiple cans be available for your new kitty. The ratio is one cat is to two litters. Lay out their food and water bowls in an easy-to-access area and supply lots of enrichment in their new environment.
Food. It's best to continue to feed your new kitty the food they were being provided at the rescue/shelter (or from the breeder) in the first few weeks. It's also excellent to give your new kitten both dry and canned food while they're young.
Watch for changes in their health. Keep an eye out for any sneezing, coughing, or lethargy in your new kitty cat. Kittens are more susceptible to illness because their immune system is still developing. Also, their smaller size makes them a lot more at risk of having low blood sugar, dehydration, and episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. Ensure they are dewormed to safeguard them from digestive tract bloodsuckers. Contact your vet if you observe any signs and symptoms.
