How To Transition A Cat To A New Home
Introduction
You have just brought home a new cat, and it’s time to get it acclimated to its new surroundings. You’ll want to do this as quickly as possible so the whole family can enjoy the feline’s company. However, you need to be patient about it. Cats are creatures of habit and are often not pleased when their routines are disrupted by new smells and sounds. They’ll also be shy around new people and will need time to adjust if they’re going from being an only cat in one household, or from being a member of a large group of cats, to a smaller group of cats (or even one other cat) in a different place. These tips will help make the adjustment smoother for both you and your furry friend:
Create a safe place for your cat to hide.
Cats are extremely sensitive to change and can become very stressed in new environments. To help your cat feel secure, create a safe place for her to hide when she first enters the home. This place should be in a quiet and secluded area of the house that is easy for you to access and comfortable for your cat (in other words, don’t put it in the garage). Make sure it is cozy with lots of soft blankets or pillows. You may want to consider building a custom cat den if there is no unused space available in your house.
Put out the food and water bowls.
You should put out the food and water bowls before you bring the cat home. Place them in the same place every day and every time you feed your cat, so that it will be comfortable with this space. This can help prevent a few common issues when moving — namely, biting or aggressive behavior from stress or anxiety caused by sudden changes in their surroundings.
The same goes for changing the food: if you haven’t already started feeding your new pet its regular brand of kibble or wet food, do so now! It may seem like a minor thing at first glance, but putting out familiar foods will make all the difference when it comes to easing your kitty into its new life with you (and vice versa).
Take the cat home.
- Arrange for someone to help you carry the cat carrier.
- Bring food and water bowls. If you’re not sure what your new cat likes, take a little of each of the types of food that was left at the shelter with him or her. Be sure to bring treats as well, in case your new friend is hungry and not interested in eating right away.
- Bring a litter box and litter if possible—you may want to get a second one so that there are separate boxes for each cat (if applicable).
- Bring towels—this will help clean up any accidents in the first few days while they get used to their new home! You may also want some Feliway spray or diffuser, which helps calm cats down when they’re stressed out by changes such as moving homes or getting adopted into new families!
Close all the doors.
When you bring your cat to the new home, it’s important to make sure that all of the doors are closed. Cats can be very territorial and feel safer when they know they’re safe inside their homes. If you don’t want to close all the doors, at least close off the room where you’re keeping your new cat until he or she is used to being there.
Keep the cat in one room.
When you bring your cat home, it’s important to keep her in a room that has a door that can be closed.
If you have a cat who likes to hide, this is the room you should use.
This will help the cat feel safe and secure as she figures out her new space. The cat will be able to see you when you are in the room, which makes her feel safer than if she were totally alone or with other animals (or kids).
Don’t let new humans touch or hold the cat.
- Do not allow new humans to handle or pick up your cat.
- Make sure you have a place for the cat to hide that they can access easily whenever they want or need.
- If there are other pets in the home, keep them separated until the new cat is acclimated and comfortable with the environment.
Making these adjustments will help ensure that your pet feels safe and secure in their new surroundings, which will make them more likely to sleep on your lap or curl up next to you while watching TV!
Spritz Feliway into the room and door cracks.
If you have a cat who is already anxious and stressed, then it’s important to help him feel safe and secure in his new environment. Feliway is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone that cats produce as part of their scent marking behavior. It can be sprayed on surfaces throughout your house to calm your cat. The idea behind using this product is similar to when a dog gets sprayed with water at the groomer’s: it helps them relax so they don’t get all worked up and emotional during stressful situations like a move or vet visit.
Keep it low-key and quiet for a week.
- Keep it low-key and quiet for a week.
During the first few days, your new cat should stay in a quiet room that is free of other pets and people. This way, they won’t get overwhelmed by strange scents and noises. If you have another pet at home, keep them separated from each other until the new cat is settled in.
- Don’t let your new cat see or hear any other pets or people during this time either—this includes their owners! If someone comes over to visit, keep both animals away from each other as much as possible until they’re comfortable in their new surroundings (and vice versa).
- Do not allow your cats to explore their environment right away; instead keep them indoors until they’ve become more accustomed to their surroundings so they don’t get frightened by moving furniture or unfamiliar sounds like vacuum cleaners or washing machines running outside of their room(s).
Reward your cat with treats during this period.
When you’re moving, you will have to be very patient with your cat. It’s best to treat them like a baby during this time, because it can be stressful for them and they won’t know what’s going on.
- Give them treats when they seem calm or brave in their new surroundings. This makes sure that they don’t get scared of the new place, which is important for long-term happiness!
- Give them treats when they are not afraid of strangers or other animals in the house. This shows that your cat is friendly with people who aren’t even related to him/her!
- Give them treats when they are being affectionate towards you instead of just wanting food all day long (which happens sometimes)!
Introduce the cat to other people gradually.
The cat is going to be confused and scared, so it’s important not to overwhelm the cat. Don’t let people crowd the cat or pick up the cat. If you are in a room with other people, then don’t let them make eye contact with the cat, especially if they’re standing next to each other.
Having patience with your transition process will result in a happier, more stable experience for both you and your feline friend.
Have patience with your transition process. It can be difficult, but it is well worth the effort in the end. Patience is key: do not rush to move your cat into his new home, and do not try to put him in his new home too soon. If you are patient, your cat will come around faster and be happier overall—and so will you! Remember that cats are used to living by their own rules, so letting them make decisions about their environment might take some time for them to adjust.
Be sure not to push things too much or too soon; give yourself plenty of time for proper training before moving forward with any big changes like introducing new furniture or changing up where food bowls go (or even where litter boxes go!). You may feel pressured because every day counts here, but don’t force things on either person or animal—take things slow and steady instead! This way everyone has time for a successful transition experience together that lasts long past those first few days into a new home life for our furry friends!
Conclusion
Moving can be a stressful experience for anyone, but it’s especially so for your cat. Remember that their world has been turned upside down, and that it will take some time to adjust. Be patient with both yourself and your feline friend. With time, love, and understanding, both you and kitty will have a happy new home in no time!