The Complete Guide to Acclimating a New Cat to Your Home
Our team wants to make it easier for you to welcome a new cat into your house in honor of Adopt a Shelter Cat Month—which, in our opinion, ought to be observed each month. Being sensitive animals, cats may find it stressful to enter a new setting, particularly if other animals have already staked out the area.
Follow this advice from our staff if you’re bringing home a new cat—or two, or three—to make them feel at home.
#1: Set up a secure environment for your new kitty.
Your new cat may need a few days to become used to you, and if you have other pets, it may take much longer for them to adjust to your home. By giving your cat their own set of resources, you may help them feel safe and secure in their new surroundings. To avoid competition for necessities, keep your kitty in a sizable room with its own litter box, food, water, scratching post, and blanket. To help your new cat get used to you, spend lots of time playing, petting, and interacting with them. However, give them time and space to explore on their own without interruption.
#2: Continue their diet.
Stick to the same food your cat was eating to reduce stress. Moving to a new environment might cause a cat’s sensitive digestive tract to become unbalanced. Give them a few days to adjust to their existing diet if you wish to convert them to a new one, then gradually introduce new foods over the course of a week.
#3: Allow your new cat some time to adjust.
Save the meet-and-greets with family and friends until your pet is at ease with you and their surroundings. A cat may take a week or two to adjust to their new home. To make sure your new cat is healthy and up to date on preventive care, you should arrange a meet-and-greet with your normal veterinarian. Your cat can experience stress from making another trip so soon after the one to your house, so give them another week to unwind before making any further 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.