Your New Cat

Settling In: Do’s

• Prepare a small, quiet area, such as a single room in your home, with your new cat’s food, water, uncovered litter box, scratching post, toys, and bed. A spare bathroom is often a perfect place that is easy to clean. Keep your cat in this confined space for several days to weeks to allow your cat to slowly adapt. Some cats may take longer than others to become comfortable in their room and allowed access to the whole house.
• Provide a “shutdown” period by limiting new visitors and interactions with other pets. Give your new cat plenty of time to slowly get to know their new home and adjust to their new environment. Your adopted cat will need time to decompress and transition from shelter to home life.
• Provide your cat with multiple hiding places where they can seek privacy if desired. Large paper bags or a cardboard box with a blanket and holes cut in both sides work great. Offer hiding places on the ground as well as up high.
• Let the cat come to you at first. Use calming body language like sitting facing the side, blinking, speaking softly, and extending a hand to let the cat sniff you, and allow the cat to approach you. You can also toss a few treats gently nearby.
• Build a bond with your cat by introducing play when they are comfortable. Feather toys, crinkle balls, and blowing bubbles are some fun and easy ideas. Be sure to supervise your cat with toys to ensure safety.
• Slowly allow your cat to explore other areas of the home.
• Supervise all interactions with children and teach children to interact with the cat calmly and appropriately.
• “Pet-proof” your home by locking up medications and poisonous chemicals and stowing electrical cords and other hazards out of reach.
• Scoop the litter box once daily and empty it completely to clean every two weeks to one month. When cleaning, opt for a mild soap and avoid strong-smelling detergents or ammonia to prevent litter box problems.
• Your newly adopted cat may still be recovering from spay/neuter surgery. It is important to follow all post-operative instructions.
• Review the topics in the ‘Cat Behavior Resources’ in our Online Resource Library for more tips!

Settling In: Don’ts

• Don’t give too much space too soon as this may overwhelm the cat. As they adjust, you can increase their space and freedom.
• Don’t panic if your new cat hides for the first several days (or even longer) in their new home. Give them time to settle in. Patience is key.
• Do not play with your cat or kitten with your hands. Using your hands as a toy teaches your cat that it is okay to bite or scratch you.
• Don’t force your cat to come out from hiding or stay near you. Instead, coax them to you by playing with an interactive toy or staying near their food bowl while they are eating. Soon, they will realize that the stranger (you) are the source of good things, and warm to you and your attention.
• Don’t introduce other pets too soon. Use doors, baby gates, and leashes to help pets adjust and maintain a safe distance until you can completely trust them together.
• Don’t expect your cat to have a hearty appetite right away. Stress and new foods can cause a lack of appetite. At first, leave out small amounts of food and add a small special treat to encourage feeding. If the cat has not eaten or drank anything in 24 hours or seems lethargic or sick within 10 days of adoption, contact SafeHaven’s Medical Department at (541) 928-2789 ext. 117.
• Don’t stow away your carrier until your next vet visit. Take the door off and place a comfy blanket and tasty treats inside the carrier for your cat to explore when they please. This will help build positive associations with the carrier, making traveling much easier on everyone. Offer treats or a small bowl of wet cat food in the carrier several times per week.
• Do not allow children to disturb the cat while they are eating or using the litter box.