The first few days in a new home may be challenging for any cat. This applies regardless of whether you are adopting a cat and bringing them home for the first time or moving and bringing your cat to a brand-new home. Naturally, you’ll want to help your cat adjust to its new home, but you’ll also need to be patient. Your cat will appreciate you for allowing them settle in to the new home in their own time.
Choose one room to help your cat adjust to its new home
Create a base for your cat in one of the new home’s rooms. In order to adjust to their new environment, your new cat may prefer a quiet room where you may occasionally visit and sit with them. Even assertive cats will still need time and space to feel safe and figure out where everything is that they need.
Give your cat plenty of hiding spaces.
A cat needs a variety of hiding places to help it adapt to new surroundings. These hiding spots could be under a wardrobe, behind a bed, or even inside cardboard boxes that you can place around the room. Making them cozy, comfortable, and private with cat beds, igloos, and blankets is a fantastic idea. It’s better to let cats alone when they enter one of their hiding spots. They likely went there to feel safer and more secure.
Make sure your cat has everything it needs to adjust to the new home.
Try to make sure that all of your cat’s necessities are set up before they arrive. If possible, keep your cat’s litter box, food area, water bowl, beds, and hiding spots out of the way of the door. Food and drink dishes ought to be placed apart from one another but conveniently close to hiding spots.
A tall, hard scratching post can keep your cat’s claws in good condition and let them leave behind comforting scents in their paws to help them feel at home. Only toys that your cat may safely play with when you’re not home should be left in the settling in area. For instance, miniature mice instead of string-attached fishing rod toys
Make the room comfortable to help your cat adjust to its new home.
To make sure your cat’s room is secure and risk-free, you should “cat proof” it, as well as the rest of the house if they have access to it. This may involve putting away any cleaning supplies, antiseptics, and prescriptions. Inspect your home for any plants or blooms that can be poisonous to your cat as well.
Additionally, your cat will require a cozy, warm place to sleep. Cat beds can be given to them, or you can modify standard cardboard boxes and line them with soft bedding or towels (these make good hiding places too). Some cats favor elevated, high-up beds and resting areas so they can watch what’s going on and feel safe and comfortable. Give your cat a choice of levels, and don’t forget to remove any treasures from the room’s upper shelves!
Use a pheromone diffuser to help your cat adjust to its new home.
A Feliway® Classic Diffuser or any relaxing pheromone diffuser may also be beneficial for your cat. These are plug-in devices that release a synthetic version of the pheromone that cats naturally create from smell glands in their cheeks. One of these can help lessen stress and make your cat feel safer and more comfortable. Install one of these in your cat’s settling room at least 24 hours before their arrival (or as soon as it is practicable after).
Make sure the entire house is set for the cat.
Your cat will be unfamiliar with your house for the first few days and can feel frightened. The natural tendency of your cat will be to flee, so even if a window or door is only slightly ajar, they might make a break for it. Unless you are convinced that your cat is secure in their room and cannot escape, all windows or front and back doors need to be kept tightly locked.
In case your cat attempts to escape their room upon arrival, any cat flaps and chimneys need to be shut. It is crucial that everyone in the home is aware of the particular regulations that will apply during the first few days and weeks and knows where your new cat is at all times.
Day 1 of helping your cat adjust to its new home
Place the carrier in your cat’s room when you get home, ideally adjacent to one of its hiding spots, and shut the door behind you. Allow them to slowly exit the carrier and explore when they are ready. If they don’t come out on their own, resist the urge to tip them out of the carrier or tug them out. Your cat might immediately emerge, scan the area, look for a hiding place, or even walk over to you. Whatever they want to do, give them the freedom to choose where they go and what they do while they grow accustomed to their new environment.
Given that cats are a territorial creature, it is very normal for them to look around before approaching you. You can spend some peaceful time with them in their settling room (for example, sitting and merely reading a book or magazine). It is preferable to let your cat approach you rather than the other way around because not all cats react to human interaction in the same way. It takes some cats a few weeks to feel secure in a new home, so patience is key in the beginning.
Give your cat some food and a basin of fresh water. If your cat refuses to eat for the first day, don’t panic; this is common, especially if your cat is a little frightened. On the first few nights, if you hear your cat meowing in their room, resist the urge to go in and feed them or otherwise console them. It’s best not to introduce your cat to any other animals in the house for the first few days.
Help your cat adjust to the new home
Be patient with your cat
You can let your cat out of its room after a few days if it appears at ease, assured, and eager to explore.
Try to keep the number of guests you have over over the first few days to a minimum. Your cat needs time to settle in and feel comfortable before meeting many people. Your cat could find it simpler if you let them explore your house one room at a time. They may settle in quickly and easily after this process, and they can soon roam freely throughout the house.
Don’t overwhelm your cat to help them adjust to their new home
Try to give your cat—or any cat—choice over when and how they want to interact with you. For instance, let them always initiate contact with you first and take the initiative. The greatest way to interact with cats is gently and on their terms since they like to feel in control. This will help you make sure that you’re not overwhelming them or making them uncomfortable or afraid.
