Thinking of adopting your first cat? Here is a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for a pet and how to help them settle in and feel comfortable in their new home.
Before you Bring Your Cat Home
Cat-Proof Your Home
Remove any toxic plants and small objects that a cat could swallow,, secure electrical cords, put food away, and store breakable items and chemicals in a safe place. Make sure doors and windows are properly closed.
Budget for Both the Short-Term and Long-Term Costs of a Cat
Adopting a pet is a big responsibility. You’re in charge of them for the rest of their lives. And there are many costs associated with that. Cats can live up to 15 or 20 years and you will need to buy food, litter, toys, and pay for routine vet visits. Make sure before adopting that you are able to properly care for a cat.
Adopting a cat from a shelter or a rescue is a bargain. Adoption fees range anywhere from $5, if the shelter is having a sale, to $200 or so. The cat will already be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, treated for parasites and fleas, and microchipped.
Find a Veterinarian
Do your research and choose a local vet both for wellness checkups and for potential emergencies. Annual vet visits are important for cats even if they seem healthy. Wellness visits allow you to monitor them, note any changes, and treat any issues before they become serious.
Buy the Right Supplies
Your cat will need a litter box and litter, food and water bowls, food, treats, a carrier, a scratching post, toys, a brush, nail trimmers, and a bed.
The litter box should have about 2 inches of litter in it. Cats like to be able to completely cover their business, but they don’t need so much litter that it makes a mess everywhere. You should get a little scooper and poop bags to easily dispose of their mess. Cats prefer uncovered boxes that are big enough for them to turn around in. Clean out the litter box at least twice a day and empty it completely to clean it every two weeks. Cats are very sensitive to smell so if their box is stinky, they will be less inclined to use it.
A bowl of cool, fresh water should be available to your cat at all times. Ceramic bowls are great because cats cannot easily overturn them. Water fountains are a great alternative to bowls too since some cats prefer moving water.
Stainless steel food bowls are best since they can be properly sanitized whereas plastic bowls can cause chin acne and skin irritation. The bowls should be shallow, more like a plate with sides than an actual bowl. Cats can suffer from “whisker fatigue” and don’t like when their whiskers touch the sides of their bowls so make sure the bowls are wide enough for them to use comfortably.
The food bowls should be placed a good bit away from the water bowl and both should be kept separate from the litter box. Eating, drinking, and eliminating should be three separate spaces, just like they would be in the wild.
Cats are obligate carnivores and they need to eat a high-protein diet. They also have small stomachs and do best when fed small meals a few times throughout the day rather than one or two big meals. Make sure to feed a high-quality pet food, preferably wet food or air-dried over dry kibble. Kibble is carbohydrate-based and cats’ bodies do need many carbs to function.
Cats can develop digestive issues if you change their diet suddenly. They do best with gradual changes to their food. If you can start them off on whatever food they were eating at the shelter and slowly transition them over the course of a week to whatever food you prefer to feed, their stomachs will thank you.
Cats love being up high and surveying their territory so a cat tree is essential. With cozy nooks, bucket beds, hanging toys, and scratching posts, cat trees offer your pet a lot to do. They provide a lot of enrichment and exercise - your cat can climb, jump, play, hide out, survey the scene, and scratch. They are truly great for your cat’s mental health and well-being and allow your cat to carry out their natural instincts.
Scratching is a natural instinct for cats that relieves energy, helps keep their nails healthy and provides entertainment. Every cat should have access to a scratching post. It should be tall enough that your cat can fully stretch out entirely when using it. You can try vertical or horizontal scratchers and see which style your cat prefers.
Buy a variety of toys to help encourage exercise and activity and mental and physical stimulation. Springs, jingle balls, wand toys, kickers, the options are endless and your cat will enjoy most - if not all - of them. It is important to actually play with the toys with your cat; do not just give them toys and expect them to play on their own. Playtime is necessary to keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated. Interactive play - where you play together - also prevents boredom and destructive behavior and gives them much needed exercise.
Getting your cat used to being groomed is very important as it will be much easier to keep them neat and clean if they’re amenable! Monthly nail trims and daily or weekly brushing sessions - depending on coat length - should be part of your routine for keeping your cat healthy and happy. Brushing reduces the risk of hairballs and keeps their coat shiny and clean. Grooming is also a great way to bond.
Treats can be used to reinforce positive behavior and create a good relationship between you and your new cat. You can use treats to entice them into their carrier, to sit on command, or as a reward for a great play session.
You will need a cat carrier to bring your cat home. Hard-sided top-entry cat carriers are ideal since they are very secure and easy to sanitize. Soft-sided carriers are not as safe as the zippers can sometimes be unzipped by the cat inside.
Choosing the Right Cat For You
It’s important to adopt a cat whose personality and energy level match your lifestyle. Are you looking for an active, young cat or a more mellow, low-maintenance pet? Will you need a cat who is good with young children? Or who gets along with dogs? Do you have a small studio apartment or a large house? You and your new cat will both be happy if your personalities mesh.
If you’re thinking about adopting a cat, consider adopting home two. Contrary to popular belief, cats are not aloof and antisocial. Most cats love having a friend around. Cats require exercise and playtime, mental stimulation and enrichment, and social interaction. Two cats can keep each other occupied and wear each other out. They won’t get lonely if you’re not around since they have each other.
Bringing Your New Cat Home
Set up a "safe room" for your new cat with all their necessities and start off by having them settle into one quiet room in your house. A bathroom or a bedroom works great. You don’t want to overwhelm them by offering them too much space right off the bat. They will feel safer and less anxious in a smaller space for at least a few days while they get used to you and their new home and family. They need time to settle in, get comfortable, and destress. This is especially important if there are other pets in the home.
It is totally normal for cats to hide out when they first arrive in a new place. They like to hunker down and survey their new environment. A covered cat bed or a cardboard box turned on its side work great for this. You can even leave out the carrier they rode home in. They like to be surrounded and feel protected. If you can position their hide out so that they can still see the door and anyone who enters the room, that’s ideal.
Allow your cat to come out and explore on their own. They may need a few hours or even a few days to feel comfortable walking around their new space. Sit on the floor and let your cat come to you. Extend your hand so they can smell you and talk to them softly. Never force them out and don’t pick them up just yet. They need to feel in control so let them get acquainted at their own pace. Some cats only come out at night when the house is dark and quiet. It’s also normal for your cat to not eat much or drink or even go to the bathroom for a day due to stress. Once your cat realizes they are safe and this is their new home, they will begin to relax. Whenever your cat is ready to interact with you, ensure that all interactions are positive ones.
When your cat is comfortable in their safe room, which could be a few days or a few weeks, start giving them access to the entire house.
Introducing Your Cat to Other Pets
If you have other pets in the home, take your time to introduce your cat to them. A proper introduction takes about two weeks and will help to improve their chances of getting along.
Establish a Routine
Cats thrive on routine and they do not like change. Creating a schedule and sticking to it will give them a sense of stability. Try to feed them and play with them at the same times every day. Avoid sudden changes to their diet and environment. Cats do best with gradual changes to their routine. They also like their territory to be divided into different areas for different activities like eating, sleeping, playing, and using the bathroom.
Signs your Cat is Settling in and Feeling at Home
Exploring the house
No longer hiding
Seeking attention
Spending time with you and your family
Eating well
Using the litter box regularly
Playing
Brushing up against you
Regularly grooming
Walking with their tail held high
The key to successfully integrating your new cat into your home is giving them plenty of time and space to adjust. Moving into a new home can be very overwhelming for cats who thrive on routine so it’s important to be patient and go slow. It may take a few days, weeks, or months for your new pet to settle in, but just now their happiness and company is worth the wait.
Love, Nala
