Bringing Home Your New Cat: Key Tips for a Smooth Transition

Perhaps you went looking for a new feline friend, or maybe, per the age-old saying, one found you! Either way, you took one look into those big, beautiful eyes and fell in love. Now, how do you ensure your new family member will adjust well to their forever home? 

Bringing home a new cat is a rewarding experience, and with these tips, you can make your newly adopted cat feel welcome and comfortable in your home. 

#1 Give Your New Cat Their Own Space

Whether they came from a breeder, your local animal shelter, or life as a stray, your new friend has been through a lot in a short amount of time. Help keep them from being overwhelmed by their new surroundings and new environment by giving them their own space. 

Once you bring your new cat home, your kitty’s room of choice can be any quiet room that doesn’t see much traffic, like a bathroom or guest bedroom. This should be their safe space and their space only for the first week or two in their new home. 

Make sure that your new pet has access to a clean litter box, water and food bowls (away from their litter box), toys, a scratching post, hiding places, and a soft spot to sleep.

#2 Let Them Hide

Your new arrival may be overwhelmed by their new surroundings with all of the new smells, people, and spaces—this might be their first time inside a home. What’s more, they may still be recovering from an overwhelming shelter environment. 

While rescue cats may carry some trauma from their past lives, studies show that providing a hiding spot or safe space can reduce stress and promote friendly behaviors in cats.

Our feline friends prefer dark spots high above the ground—ideally, a cat tent, play tube, or a built-in feature of the room, like a cabinet. Even the cat’s carrier (with the door open) or a cardboard box (with entrance and exit holes) will do the trick.

#3 Cat-Proof Your Home

Before bringing a new cat home, prepare the new environment for your new feline friend by “cat-proofing.” Some steps you should take to keep your kitty safe in your home include:

• Block off dangerous areas – Vents and places between furniture and walls might seem like a fun obstacle course to your cat, but it’s very easy for them to become trapped, hurt, or lost. Be sure to keep closet doors closed and block off any rooms that might tempt your cat to make risky play decisions.

• Inspect houseplants – Make sure your household plants are not poisonous to cats (some common examples of no-gos include daffodils, poinsettias, and tulips).

• Study up on household toxins – Take a little time to learn which foods are dangerous for cats (i.e. grapes and raisins, onions, avocados, chocolate, nuts, and artificial sweeteners like xylitol).

• Clean up your cords – Curtain and electronic cords can be a choking risk—we recommend bundling them for safety. 

Following these precautions can save your a newly adopted cat’s life or spare them a serious injury—it’s better to be safe than sorry.

#4 Let Your New Cat Leave Their Scent (and Get Used to Yours)

Cats are territorial creatures who navigate by scent (in fact, your kitty might signal trust by rubbing against you to mark you with their scent). Leaving your worn shirt or blanket for them in their room might help them get used to you, especially if they’re not used to human company. 

Once they’re roaming the house, leaving blankets or towels that they’ve slept on around the house can help them establish this new territory as their own and build a positive association with you.

#5 Let Rescue Cats Socialize on Their Own Terms

Your family and friends will no doubt be excited to see your new furry friend, but try and keep people from visiting all at once. Start with one or two visitors at a time. 

Whether or not you have company, don’t force your cat to come out. Simply sit or lie on the floor and let them come to you when they’re comfortable. You might bring a book to read out loud and give them time to acclimate to you. 

Playing with your new cat and giving treats may help them affirm their positive association with you. You might even be able to coax them out of their hiding spaces and bond with you. From there, they’ll become more comfortable with your loved ones.

Always supervise small children under 5 with your new pet, and make sure they know not to approach too fast or pet too forcefully. 

We also suggest introducing your other pets in an orderly manner. (For instance, keep any existing pets separate from your new cat at first, then allow them to smell each others’ scent, then see each other, then interact up close.)

#6 Don’t Change Too Much Too Quickly

When introducing a new cat to your home, it's only natural to want your new addition to have the best of everything, but waiting before changing their diet may help them adjust better. 

It’s very important for their health that cats don’t go 24 hours without eating, so switching diets right away could lead to health issues. 

Once your kitty has settled in, you can begin to experiment with their food, but starting with consistency is best. Cats are notoriously finicky, and making sure they’re eating enough as they settle in should be your number one priority when introducing new cat to home.

Regardless of your cat’s personality and pace, it’s crucial that you let them call the shots as they settle in. This will allow them to build trust and get comfortable as they adjust to their new routine. 

Let them gauge for themselves what they’re comfortable with, and most importantly, give them time. You’ll have a happy kitty to share your home with before you know it.

#7 Check Off Your New Cat Grocery List with Darwin’s

Once your new furry friend is settled in, you might want to gently adjust his or her diet, exercise routine, or sleeping situation to suit your preferences as a pet owner. Beyond preparation, it's also important to consider the cost of a cat, including initial and ongoing expenses. If you’re looking to stock up on natural cat food, Darwin’s offers a range of healthy, natural options.

Our raw cat food recipe was developed with the feline ancestral diet as a guide, so it’s a crowd-pleaser with cats and fulfills their nutritional needs. Our ethically sourced, human-quality ingredients are minimally processed and uncooked, meaning they retain the maximum amount of nutrients.

While your new kitty gets adjusted, come browse at Darwin's, your one-stop shop for all natural cat food needs. Here, you'll find everything to keep your feline friend happy and healthy. Plus, don't miss our guide on "How to Adopt a Cat" for great tips!

Sources: 

University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Does giving cats a hiding space make them less adoptable? https://sheltermedicine.wisc.edu/library/resources/does-giving-cats-a-hiding-space-make-them-less-adoptable

ASPCA. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List—Cats. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/cats-plant-list

ASPCA. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets

University of California. Why your cat does these 6 things (according to science). https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/why-your-cat-does-these-6-things-according-science

 

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I am a crazy hat collector, video game enthusiast, and former self-proclaimed cat whisperer with a love and devotion to all of our four legged friends. In my spare time I am also a customer service specialist at Darwin’s Natural Pet Products.