Andrea’s Guide to Cat Adoption Success
Carefully introduce your new cat
Be sure to have an area set up for your new cat before bringing them home, and start with a small space at first. For example, a bedroom with separate areas for the cat litter box and food and water bowls is preferable to opening the entire house to the cat in the first week or so. It is critical to establish some area of your house that belongs to the new cat. Once they are comfortable in the small space, allow them to widen their territory slowly as they become comfortable with each addition of “territory”. Understand that most cats can be timid in their new surroundings and may not show all of her normal play behavior or other personality characteristics until they become more comfortable.
If you have other cats in the household, you should keep them separate from your new cat and carefully approach the introduction. Cats are all about routine and territory - if there are other cats in the house, it is best practice that they avoid face to face contact until the new cat is comfortable in the new home and the resident cats have had time to process and accept having another cat in their home.
The general recommendation is to keep cats separated for at least a few days, up to 2 weeks. Once allowed to interact, there will be hissing, and a period where they work out the new pecking order in the house. If the first interactions are too aggressive, separate them for a few more days. The goal is to avoid traumatic encounters and keep both cats feeling comfortable in the home. Be patient and give them time, and you should be able to achieve a level of balance and harmony.
Homes With Resident Dogs
Introducing a new cat to a dog is similar so introducing it to other cats. The new cat needs its own territory or safe haven. However, before introducing your dog it is vital that the dog knows basic obedience. The dog needs to be under control at all times, especially if the dog has not lived with cats before.
You may want to start by letting the cat explore the house while the dog is not there. The cat will then be more comfortable and self-assured in this territory when confronted with a new, potentially stressful situation. When the cat appears fairly relaxed in most areas of the house, let them meet. The best way to do this is to introduce them while the cat is up on a high safe place, like on a counter or tall cat furniture. Bring the dog into the room on a leash and keep at a safe distance. Observe their interactions. If the dog is growling or lunging, correct him by asking him to sit, lie down, or go to his place. Praise and encourage any friendly behavior.
Repeat this process for short periods each day. Keep the dog on a leash. Let the cat wander around the house, and approach the dog at will, or run and hide if it wants to. Continue to praise friendly behavior. Repeat these exercises for longer periods until both pets are comfortable and responding favorably. You will know when it is time to remove the leash and begin short supervised sessions.
Homes With Small Children
If you have small children, it is especially important that they not overwhelm or scare the cat during it’s introduction to the home. Because small children make sudden loud noises and movements. they are particularly terrifying to cats. Introduce children gradually. Ideally, these visits should occur when the child is in a quiet, attentive mood. Never leave small children alone with a kitten under 6 months of age.
Provide enrichment to prevent bad habits
Provide your cat with a variety of toys until you learn what they prefer. If you don’t provide toys, they will start to play and chew on electrical cords and other things around the house. Don’t be disappointed if they don’t like the first toys you get, some cats are picky but there is always something out there they will like. You can also try your hand at making your own toys! (Warning: Cats do love free string, but they can easily choke or ingest it requiring surgery, so string play is discouraged unless supervised) Our most popular store bought toys are here.
Provide your cat with more than one scratching option— a sturdy sisal vertical post and also flat scratching boards (corrugated cardboard). If you don’t provide adequate scratching options, your cat will destroy your furniture. You’ll probably want a scratching post in each room where there is soft furniture, perhaps blocking access to it. You can also install sticky tape (available at pet supply stores) to corners of upholstered furniture to dissuade scratching. Here are some of our favorite scratch posts.
Establish Routine
Providing routine is a great way to help your cat smoothly transition into her new home. Sticking with regular times for feeding and play can help get your new cat adapted to your schedule. Sleep disruption is a common reason kittens are returned to the shelter, and can be easily avoided with a little structure and effort:
Resist early pleas for breakfast. Hold strong and feed them at a set time in the morning that works for you. If you feed in response to meowing, you will end up with a cat that wakes you up at 5am to eat. Feeding the second meal later in the evening can help, as well as setting out their dry portion just before you go to bed. Other options are automatic feeders.
If late night play is an issue (tearing around the bedroom, noise, attacking your feet in the blanket) consider a confined space to put the kitten at night for the first few weeks until they adapt to your sleep-wake schedule. This can be a large pen with litter and food and a bed, another small room in the house, or just the common area but closed off from your bedroom. He/she will likely sleep during the night out of boredom, be very excited to see you in the morning, and will get used to playing during daylight hours.
Training and other fun stuff
Start small with training, and use it as a time to bond with your new friend. A first training goal can be to teach the cat to look at you in response to his/her name. To do this, call his/her name in a happy voice, and then throw a cat treat or toy across the floor. Repeat this several times a day, always delivering something your cat likes when you call her name. If your cat turns out to be highly treat motivated, you have the opportunity to teach them a variety of tricks!
Some cats, if introduced young enough, can be comfortable doing “adventure cat” activities. When embarking on these adventures, play it safe and follow the guidelines published on www.adventurecats.org.
Find a high-quality food that fits your budget
We recommend a feeding both wet and dry food—with the emphasis on wet (to increase hydration and manage weight) and a small amount of dry (to help prevent the buildup of plaque on the teeth)
Some cats have sensitive stomachs, and benefit from a slow transition when moving to a new diet. If your cat refuses the new food, has loose stools, or vomits, go back to the old and add the new food in slowly over a period of 5-7 days. See our recommendations here.
Establish a Relationship With a Veterinarian
Use yelp and other resources to find a good, cat-knowledgeable veterinarian. Schedule a wellness visit to establish your cat as a patient at the clinic, and meet the staff and veterinarian. By setting up a relationship when your cat is well, if your cat does get sick, you now have a place to be seen quickly, with a vet you trust.
For any persistent behavior problems, excellent help can be obtained by a board-certified animal behaviorist (CAAB), and those services can also be found on yelp and through your local humane society.