Bringing Home Your New Cat

Settle In Time

Cats don't readily embrace change, so moving to a new environment can be highly stressful for your new feline companion. To assist them in acclimating, it's advisable to establish a designated space equipped with all their necessities (food, water, litter box, toys), including a cozy hideaway. Place their carrier in this room and open the door without coercing them to emerge; allow them to take their time.

Your new cat requires a period of adjustment to their unfamiliar surroundings. Initially, they may choose to hide for the first few days, a common coping mechanism for cats in new environments. It's essential not to attempt to extract them from their hiding place. Instead, exercise patience, and they will begin to emerge once they feel at ease.

Visit your new cat frequently, but avoid imposing interactions. Simply spend time in the room with them. Providing a dish of enticing treats, like tuna fish, can also help entice the cat out and establish a positive connection with you. Once the cat ceases to hide and willingly approaches you during visits, you can gradually allow them access to the entire house.

Litter Box

Cats don't need instruction to use a litter box; they simply need to know its location. Cats generally prefer unscented litter, with clumping varieties being the preferred choice for most. Some cats may tolerate covered litter boxes, but they can trap odors and may not suit all cats. Ensure the litter box is an appropriate size for the cat's comfort. The most crucial aspect is maintaining a clean litter box—scoop waste daily and completely replace the litter weekly.

Scratching

Cats naturally need to scratch for claw maintenance and to mark their territory, a typical feline behavior. Offer your cat a few scratching posts to protect your furniture from damage. Position these posts prominently throughout the house. The posts should be tall and stable, although some cats may prefer horizontal scratching surfaces instead of vertical ones. Posts covered in sisal rope are preferred, but cats also enjoy corrugated cardboard or even natural wood, such as a log (cats do not favor loop carpeting).

Introduction to Resident Cats

Your new cat and resident cat(s) can detect each other's scents from under the door where the new cat resides. Placing treats near the door can help foster a positive association between the cats. To facilitate familiarity, engage in 'scent exchange' by petting each cat with a washcloth or sock on your hand several times a day (without washing the cloth in between). If you cannot interact with the new cat during the initial days, leave the cloth with the scent of your other cat(s) in the room overnight.

After a few days, begin allowing your resident cat(s) to enter the new cat's room, enabling the new cat to explore the rest of the house for an hour each day. This allows the resident cat(s) to become acquainted with the new cat's scent and permits the new cat to familiarize themselves with the house layout.

Next, set up a baby gate at the door so the cats can see each other for a few days before allowing them to share the same room. Placing treats on either side of the gate can create positive associations—multiple brief daily sessions allowing them to see each other work best.

The next step involves carefully controlled introductions. Bring both cats into the same room, providing each with a dish of tuna fish. Initially, place the dishes at opposite ends of the room. Progressively move the dishes closer each day. Depending on the cats ' comfort levels, this process can vary from a few days to several weeks or even a few months. Proceed at the cats' pace, as a gradual introduction significantly enhances their future relationship.

Introduction to Resident Dog

Ensure that you have a designated room for your new cat. Once they become more comfortable and venture out of their hideaway in that room, you can begin introducing them to the rest of the house while keeping the dog outside. When you're prepared for the dog and cat to meet, ensure the dog is on the opposite side of a baby gate to prevent direct contact. If you plan to introduce them without the gate, keep the dog on a leash to prevent chasing behavior from developing. Even after you believe the dog and cat are getting along, ensure the cat has an escape route should the dog ever exhibit chasing tendencies. You can achieve this by using a baby gate in a doorway that the cat can jump over or slip under for a safe retreat. Additionally, provide a few cat trees or other elevated perches in the room to offer the cat alternative escape options when in the same space as the dog.