It might be really exciting for you when you bring a new pet home, but for them, the process can be really scary.
From the car journey to the cat basket to exploring their new surroundings, your new pet has a lot of stress in its first few days. It’s important as responsible pet owners that we do everything we can to minimize the amount of stress put on them during the adjustment period.
If you’re new to owning a pet and have decided to welcome a cat into your family, this guide should help you to navigate the first few days.
Take time off work
Taking time off work is often something people do when adopting dogs, but it can be just as helpful for cats. Being at home while they explore will help put them at ease as they familiarize themselves with their new family and home.
It’s often assumed that as cats are more independent, they don’t need supervision. But providing this support and comfort during their transition phase will help them recognize who you are and reassure them that they’re safe. Leaving them in a new surrounding alone for long periods – especially if they are a rescue animal – may leave them feeling neglected once again.
Create a safe space
During the first 24 hours, don’t be too concerned if your new family member hides away for most of the day. They’ll quickly find a safe space and stay put until they are more comfortable and ready to explore.
To make the move less intimidating, it is important to provide your kitty with a smaller, quiet, safe space before introducing them to the full house. For example, you might want to close the doors to one room, so they are safe to explore. It’s also worth mentioning that if you have other pets or small children, you should allow the cat to settle in more comfortably before introducing them.
Help them navigate
This is particularly important if you are bringing a kitten home. Whether they are newly litter trained or need a few more lessons, you should be available to navigate them to the right places.
If you leave your new pet unsupervised, they can often cause mischief while distressed. This could be anything from tearing something apart to scratching the sofa or going to the toilet in the corner of the room.
By taking time off work, you can redirect your cat to where the litter tray is, their food bowl, and where they can use a scratching post.
Keep supplies close
Once they’re ready to explore, wait for them to create contact with you rather than the other way round. It can be easy to assume that once they’ve come out of their hiding space, they’re ready to snuggle or play. But bombarding them with toys could be three steps back in progress.
That said, a bag of tasty treats could help them feel more relaxed around you and even lead to a little cuddling.
Make sure you’re equipped with all the supplies you might need over the first few days. You can get everything from litter trays to treats, food, and supplements at exceptionalpets.com.
Taking things slowly and working at a pace that suits the cat will ease the transition period. Within a few days, your new pet will be snuggling, playing, and exploring.
