Preparing for the First Few Days
When your cat comes home for the first time, it can be a very stressful time. They usually come from a familiar place and are suddenly thrown into a world that smells funny, looks huge and is quite daunting. For your cat's first few days in a new home, it's best to keep things simple at first.
Keeping your cat comfortable in your home
In general, to help your cat feel happier and safer in their own home, it's important to provide them with the following home comforts: .
It's important to keep your cat in the same room for the first few days in your home . This is especially important for kittens, who can easily get lost if left to explore the house or apartment from day one.
Be sure to provide the safe room you establish with all the resources they need (food, water, litter tray, scratching post, toys, bedding, etc.).
Make sure all windows and doors are closed and that fireplaces and crevices where they can hide or get lost are blocked.
Keep other animals away from newly arrived animals to give them time to get used to first. The introduction should be slow and safe.
You don't want your kids to associate their new feline friend with a bad experience the first time they come home, so be careful not to rush your kids too quickly and dabble too quickly.
To acclimate an adult cat, confine it in the same space for at least a few hours, then gradually move it to other parts of the house, returning it to the safe room when necessary. Adult cats tend to smell the room and figure out what's where, and will come to you when they feel ready.
Kittens should be kept in the same place for longer periods of time (at least several days). They need a lot of supervision, so always be aware of what they're doing when you get home for the first time. Then, as they become more calm, you can monitor them in your home.
What we ask of animals when they first come home is often unrealistic. We want things to happen instantly, but that's not always possible. A good mantra is to go at the "cat's pace". This will reduce stress and make everyone happier.
For the first few days of feeding your cat
, feed your new cat the food they ate while in the shelter. Small amounts of food may be provided to take home (we provide small amounts of food for animals heading to their new homes). If you want to change your cat's diet, you should make the change gradually by mixing a little of the new food with the old food and gradually weaning the cat onto the new diet over the course of a week.
Click here for tips on feeding your cat a healthy, balanced diet. If your cat is a picky eater, don't worry. There are also some tips to help your cat.
Cat Collars
At Mayhew, we do not believe that cat collars are a must-have item for your cat. With the wrong type of collar, the risks of your cat getting stuck in a tree or slipping on its head and injuring its paws and underarms far outweigh the perceived benefits.
However, if you want your cat to wear a collar, we ask that you use a safety collar with a quick-release buckle system to keep your cat safe from danger. Never use elastic collars. Also, remove the bell. Leaving it on can make your cat even more stealthy and a better hunter.
Microchip placement
Your cat is microchipped. Keep this number in an easily accessible place in case you need to access it quickly at any time.