If you are reading this article, you probably have already welcomed a cat to your abode or are planning to get one. First of all, congratulations! Cats can be excellent housemates and warm companions to share your life with.
However, as exciting as this time is for you, adapting to a new home can be highly stressful for your pet kitten. That’s why we made this list for you to cut short the difficult adjustment period at the beginning of every relationship.
- Start Slow
A new cat may need a few weeks to adjust to her surroundings. Postpone the meet-and-greets with friends, relatives, and neighbors until the cat starts eating and sleeping regularly.
It is often assumed that cats will do just fine without much assistance due to their more independent natures. But you may also benefit from taking some time off to help your pet adjust to its new home.
Adjusting to a new home environment can be highly stressful for a cat. Being present helps ease their stress and settle faster. It can also contribute to developing a solid bond between you and your new housemate.
- Offer a safe place of their own
It is essential to allow your cat to observe her new family’s routine from a small, dark space or one high above the place where general activities happen.
Allowing your cat immediate access to the entire house can be extremely stressful for them. It is far preferable to set up a cat-proofed, quiet, and secure room to use as a safe haven when they first arrive.
Ideally, this place should be exclusively theirs for at least the first few weeks. Don’t allow any other pets or loud children into that place.
- Cat Proof your House
It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to explain the rules of the house to your furry roommate. The most proactive approach is to offer your cat appealing alternatives to trashing your home.
However, it would be best if you also employed some defensive strategies. You have to ensure that any accessible house areas have been made safe for them as they explore their new domain. Place harsh cleaning products, human medications, and household poisons in an inaccessible place.
Any poisonous houseplants should be relocated. If the new family member is a kitty, put any breakables away from their reach and keep the toilet lid closed.
- Buy food for your Cats
Ideally, you should provide them with small meals at multiple intervals of the day.
Further, remember that cats are obligate carnivores, which means they can only get nutrients from animal products. So, you need to provide them with foods high in protein, moderate in fat, and low in carbs.
Cats should eat primarily wet food as they have a higher water content which helps prevent kidney, lower urinary tract disease, and even obesity. However, dry foods can be a cheap alternative in certain circumstances as they can be left out for a long time.
If you don’t know where you should begin your shopping, you can start with PETstock – they offer high-quality food for your kitten at cost-friendly prices.
- Set up a Litter Box
Most cats prefer grain clumping litter. Try that first unless the new guest is so young that she is in the litter-eating stage. Also, provide one more litter box in your home than you have cats.
If you’ve only provided your cat with a single, solitary option, numerous factors could prevent them from using that. It is best to distribute the litter boxes throughout your home, with at least one litter box on each floor. Your cat should ideally have at least two routes to and from each box.
- Routine health care
The non-emergency, general care is required to keep your cat healthy. Your new feline friend needs to be taken to a veterinary every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old.
Feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus testing will be performed on cats. They also receive vaccinations against a variety of diseases.
If you adopt an older cat, you should take them to the vet at least twice a year, if not more frequently, because illness is more common in older pets and should be detected sooner to ensure proper treatment.
Follow a wellness routine for your pet as recommended by your vet to catch early signs of any disease.
Over to you…
Starting off on the right foot is essential for any healthy relationship. Following these tips will ensure your cat’s safety while building trust and affection between you and your new companion.
